Epson Printer

[Starburn]

A small rant really... But I have to moan about this, really annoyed me.

The missus bought me a new Epson all-in one printer for Xmas (the DX5000), just got around to setting it up as I need to print some documents..
So I put it together, take the tape off, install the ink cartridges etc. etc.

At the stage where I can hook it up to my PC to print this stuff off so I look for the USB cable.. nowhere to be found. Strange I think to myself, must have left it in the box. Nope. I wonder if it's been left out by accident I think.. so I begin checking the small print around the outside of the box to look for a 'contents'.

I finally find some /really/ tiny print on the top of the box, a little * and a note that states "For test conditions refer to epson europe, cable required (not supplied in box)".
Fantastic!

I'm actually really shocked that they cut costs by not supplying a cable, I've always liked Epson too. My cheapo camera came with its USB cable.. infact so did my phone and pretty much everything else I've ever had that's remotely able to use USB in some way.

Don't actually have a USB cable that is the same size as this printer takes so I can't print my documents grr.. and I'm going to have to go out and buy one.

Damn you cheapskates Epson.

/end rant/

[pands@scan]

yer its a pain, but pretty standard practice..dont really know why they dont include them...hell we sell them for a few pence..its not like itll bankrupt them

[directhex]

printers don't include standard usb cables, ever. the reason stated is something like "letting the consumer pick the right length"

[Starburn]

*mumble mumble* I haven't bought a printer in years (since before they all went USB) so I had no idea (I usually do all my printing at work or uni instead ).

Still really annoying though. Gr.

[MadduckUK]

meh. printers tend to die after 6-12 months of heavy usage. if i get a USB cable with every printer purchase i would be DROWNING IN THEM.

i have no idea how this catches so many people out.

[Starburn]

Because I've never heard of it before?
Because the last printer I bought came with a cable?
Because it's not clearly stated on the box?

Also; the last printer I bought is still going strong and it's about 7 or more years old.. bought it from Scan when they used to be based in Bury somewhere

(I also think drowning in them is a little bit of an overstatement .. every 6-12months? So you'd have like... 10 of them? ).

[leeglf]

i work for epson as a stock controller, and believe it or not for some reason that i have not figured out yet they throw thousands of usb cables and power leads in the rubbish compactor every week!

[DavidM]

One essential thing we always include with Epson printers when we have them on offer

[MadduckUK]

(I also think drowning in them is a little bit of an overstatement .. every 6-12months? So you'd have like... 10 of them? ).

nope! we have 6 epsons in use in the office. and as i say they need replacing in that timeframe. the boss thinks it best to kill cheap printers quickly (D88's and R220's at the mo) than go for better, longer lasting ones that cost more

[Mad-Max]

My HP PSC never came with a cable either but the store assistant gave me one for free

[DanceswithUnix]

I was aware of the USB cable thing when I got my last printer, so that didn't catch me out. What *really* got my goat was when trying to order online for pickup at PC World the website automatically selected a ludicrously expensive USB lead at something like 12 quid, and I went back and forth in the order pages til I found the smallprint box saying "tick here if you don't want the USB lead". I have plenty of A to B leads, and was certainly not paying more than a pound for one. Then at the end of it all I was told no-one near had any stock anyway

Thankfully Scan then started stocking the same printer that week, so they got the order instead

High end Canon MP800 multi-function, so no escape from there (nice printer though).

[Agent]

nope! we have 6 epsons in use in the office. and as i say they need replacing in that timeframe. the boss thinks it best to kill cheap printers quickly (D88's and R220's at the mo) than go for better, longer lasting ones that cost more

T'is true. I've experienced the same thing with Epsons. So much so, the college i used to be at just binned the lot of them in one swoop and replaced them all with Canons.
There hasnt been an issue since.

[GoNz0]

trying to order online for pickup at PC World the website automatically selected a ludicrously expensive USB lead at something like 12 quid,

yeh i did notice that, when i worked in a PC store we included an optional free USB cable as they cost about 20p each in bulk. some had high quality USB and didn't have the freebie, but PC world were gits for not telling you that they didn't include a cable, so they have done something about it. and face it with your average PC noob, they will miss the small print and not order the cable. in one way its good, but it should be in big bold letters that a USB has been added to the order, i missed it as well and had to back track to remove it.

you soon notice when the bill as gone up a tenner

[fisnik]

The last printer I bought was 7 years ago and it was an Epson. I had to buy a separate printer cable for it too. But since it wasn't a USB cable it cost £9. Anyway the printer did die 6 months later or so. :/

[amjedm]

One essential thing we always include with Epson printers when we have them on offer

I ordered an all in one and printer cable as the items weren't on Today Only. Printer went out of stock and I was expecting it to come back in stock so I left the printer cable on the order.

Ended up buying a different printer (on Today Only) so have spare cable


If you haven't already bought a cable I can pop one in the post to you?

[Starburn]

doh.
I ordered a cable yesterday

Belkin gold plated blah 3m one from Amazon, was 1p (+£4.50 postage heh).
Know the ones on Scan are cheaper, but the shipping would have bumped them up more... also can't resist a Belkin cable (favour the brand for some reason).

Tyvm for the offer though