Epson

I Installed a firmware update, and now the printer can no longer "recognize" my print cartridges which had been working fine until the update. Word on the Internet is that Epson deliberately tries to punish people who buy replacement cartridges from other vendors, so they can sell their overpriced ones, and they do that by updating the firmware so that other vendor cartridges are "not recognized".

This is despicable. I will never buy another Epson product. They have even spawned a cottage industry that for $5 sells a firmware downgrade.

It is cheaper to buy a new printer than to buy Epson replacement cartridges. Their business practices are predatory and should be illegal.

Bought Epson printer ET-4950, recertified, directly from Epson with 1 year warranty, 30 day money back guarantee. The printer arrived as if brand new.

No damage, ink *** were empty. Looks like it was never used. So, had high hopes. 30 minutes into using it?

Nope, not at all. Printer jammed after every 2nd or 3rd page, forget using 2 sided printing, that was even worse, and the printer would often report "no paper in tray" even though it had half a stack or more. Day 1, called support and after 30 minutes of providing info, was told, "oh, we just take info, we cannot assist, you'll need to call this other number with this reference number..." Fine. Called 2nd number, "oh we cannot even help you until you send pictures of the printer error on the screen, the serial number, the original purchase receipt, a copy of your original support ticket, picture of the ink well level and pictures of the ink bottles..." So did all that, and had to wait another day, called back in and got, "We can't help you, you did not send a picture of the ink bottles..." Um, what?

You mean the empty ink bottles I threw away on day one after filling the printer? Why would I have kept those? Then, finally, "Ok, we'll RMA the printer. We need a credit card for us to send you the replacement.." Uh, no.

"Ok, you can send your printer back and we'll send the replacement once we receive it..." Uh no. I want you to honor the 30 day return policy and just refund my money once you have the printer. It's only been two weeks since purchase... "Uh, can you please hold?

I need to discuss with a supervisor..." 30 minutes later, still on hold and then, Oh, we cant help you. You need to call this other phone number if you want to return and get a refund. Are you effing kidding me? Really?

Epson's customer service, which is obviously in ***, is horrible. They are given a script to follow to do everything they can to discourage the buyer from being able to return the product for a refund. You sold me a broken printer, with warranty and 30 day return policy, yet, almost 3 weeks in, I'm still struggling to get them to take responsibility for this SNAFU. Ive been working in IT for 35 years, I think I know a thing or two about printers.

Probably have installed and used hundreds of printers over those years. This has been absolutely the worst printer and customer service experience.

Give me a break. This should be illegal and punishable.

I have an Epson ET-5170. I don't know a lot about computers, but in the past, all I had to do to print something was to go to Print Preview, select the printer, which was always the correct number above, and print.

Suddenly, it doesn't want to take that command, and every time I try, in place of the printer number, it has Print Using System Dialog. Even if I change it, it pops back and then doesn't print. It's like it turns off the communication. What do I do?

Please make it easy to understand so I can fix it. I am 83 and really computer-stupid. My husband has always taken care of everything, but unfortunately, he recently died, and I am alone now.

I am also hard of hearing, so I prefer email to phone calls.

Darlene Fraser