In a continuation of her series of articles discussing various aspects of printing and the aftermarket, Rapid Refill franchisee Trudy Whitney has lamented inadequate printer bundle packages.
Following on from her previous 
articles for Town Square Buzz discussing the standard of aftermarket ink and the increased scrutiny from customers, Texas-based Rapid Refill franchisee Trudy Whitney has written on the misconception of economy surrounding “printer bundle packages”.
Whitney states explicitly for consumers to “beware […] when you are offered a “printer bundle package” (a free printer with your computer), you can count on the cartridges being extremely expensive” and lamented the scheme as “a rip-off of epic proportions”.
Remarking on a customer who submitted to a printer bundle package, he purchased three inkjet cartridges at $20 each, and “knew darn well that the ink would run twice the price of the printer. This is a little extreme, but creative nonetheless.
“I won’t mention [the printer manufacturer], but their initials are HP.”
Whitney also bemoaned inkjet printers that require two cartridges to function, stating that she routinely deals with these cartridges and as such are familiar with “exactly how much ink gets squished into that tiny sponge filled box with three colours. Folks, it’s not much”.
Newer cartridge models are also reportedly designed to match the appearance of older models, “but are effectively hollowed out to reduce the amount of ink that can be replaced. I think this could not be more dumb! I know what ink cost[s] and a few more drops would not break the bank for Canon or Lexmark or HP.
“In case I have not made myself perfectly clear, I am not a fan of the two-cartridge inkjet system.”
Whitney has invited readers to contact her directly where she can “speak more frank with you and not get sued”.
Following the original article which erroneously omitted Whitman’s position as a franchisee, Rapid Refill has issued the following statement:
“Trudy Whitney is an individual location franchisee of Rapid Refill, LLC and is not an authorized agent or representative of Rapid Refill, LLC. [The] article states that Rapid Refill is a Texas-based company. While Mrs. Whitney owns a single location based in Texas, the Rapid Refill franchise system and Rapid Refill, LLC is headquartered in Minnesota.
“Rapid Refill, LLC and the Rapid Refill franchise system do not condone, or agree with, the statements made by Mrs. Whitney. Rapid Refill’s mission is to provide print supplies and services to our customers, when and where they need them, with outstanding personal customer service, deep product expertise and incredibly fast delivery.”