Straight Talk on the Cost of Printing: The BBB’s NAD Weighs In
Back in April, I wrote about The
Truth about Print and Proper's Cost of Ink Claims and how I think Kodak misleads
the public about the true cost of printing. To recap, I feel their claims just
don't add up. And I'm not the only one who's reached that conclusion. In recent
head-to-head reviews of comparable models, professional reviewers have found
that in tests of varying printouts (comparing black and white document prints and
color photo prints, for example) the cost per page is very close and in some
cases HP
prints can actually be more affordable than Kodak. Check out the objective reviews and tests
by respected media such as The
Boston Globe and Hardware
Geeks.
To bring you up to date: HP filed a complaint with The
National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
On August 31, the NAD issued a press release stating that it had referred
advertising by Eastman Kodak to the Federal Trade Commission for further
review. Earlier today, the NAD released another statement to clarify certain
facts about the inquiry into Eastman Kodak's advertising claims: Although the
company asserted its claims are substantiated, Kodak refused to participate in
the review process or provide evidence in support of its advertising.
To be perfectly honest, I'm grateful to see that the NAD set
the record straight (you can see their release here).
I'm proud to work for a company that
welcomes healthy competition with open arms, but which also respects and
upholds truthful and accurate advertising.
As the market leader for more than 25 years, HP embraces
industry standard testing methodologies. When HP conducted apples-to-apples
testing and comparison of specific HP models vs. comparable Kodak models and
used realistic home inkjet print volumes provided by Lyra Research, we came up
with very different results than Kodak's misleading claims. In fact, when you compare the print volumes of typical home
customers, the savings could actually be as little as $1 a month. *
What's a buck worth to you? From the many conversations I've
had with customers, they overwhelmingly agree that the superior print quality,
reliability, performance and peace of mind you get when you buy HP is worth
much more than a dollar. Want to learn more about the printing
costs of HP printers? Go here.
As always, I invite your questions, comments and
suggestions.
* Comparing HP and Kodak products priced at $199 and $299.
Calculated using page yields provided by HP and Kodak based on ISO 24711 test
methodology, 4x6 photo yields provided by HP and Kodak including the cost of HP
Advanced and Kodak Ultra Studio Gloss media and cartridge prices from HP and
Kodak web sites. Annual document volume assumptions provided by Lyra Research,
Inc.: "Types of Documents Printed on Home Ink Jet Printers: 2006 U.S. Ink
Jet and Laser Home User Survey," published 1/26/2007.
HP Officejet Pro Challenge
Q&A with Bret Bottger of HP and Mark Evans of BID Blinds
After weeks of blogging about his experience with an HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless All-in-One, Mark Evans of BID Blinds emerged with the most votes among the five small business owners who participated in the HP Officejet Pro Challenge and won the grand prize package worth more than $2,100. Beyond the obvious advantage of receiving professional color documents while saving up to 50 percent on printing costs and energy use compared to laser1, Mark says he learned a lot about how to use his new printer to help run his business. In this wrap-up interview with HP, Mark shares some additional perspective on printing in a small-business environment.
Mark is the owner of BID Blinds, which provides eco-friendly and affordable custom window treatments to residential and commercial clients in the greater Nashville, Tenn. area. Mark retired his Lexmark X125 All-in-One printer for the HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless All-in-One, and hasn’t looked back since.
Mark Evans, owner of BID Blinds and his new HP Officejet Pro All-in-One
Bret Bottger of HP, who has been chatting with Mark and other participants throughout the Challenge, touched base with Mark to get his comments. Here’s what Mark had to say about his experience:
Bret: After testing the HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless All-in-One for four weeks, what did you particularly like or dislike about it?
Mark: Wow, that is a dangerous question to ask if you don’t know the answer! I think the general thing that stuck out to me was the ease with which I could perform all of the tasks that HP put us through. Of course, I had the occasional – okay, more than occasional - brain cramp that complicated things because I overlooked the obvious. I also like the energy saving “sleep” mode it goes into when it has been idle for a short while. That same mode was probably the “worst” thing, too. Sometimes I get in a time crunch trying to get out the door. I hit “Print” and have to wait a sec for the machine to stir from hibernation. Again, my issue, not the machine’s.
Bret: What features did you find most useful during your four-week “test drive”? Were there any features that you found hard to use?
Mark: Let’s tackle the second part first. NO!!! Emphatic enough? There really was nothing that was difficult. For the Challenge, sometimes I was pressed for time meeting your deadlines because I am still running a business. But, man, this 8500 really came through. Had it been a bear to learn or had it required reading a 600 page manual, I would’ve put it back in the box.
Now for the Part A of your query, the feature I utilized the most was, without question, the two-sided option, both printing and scanning. Not only was it a time saver, it reduces usage and waste and saves the dollars and time it would take to produce a high quality product that is suitable for giving to my clientele!
Bret: What did you think of the quality of materials printed when using Original HP Papers, such as the HP Bright White Inkjet Paper, HP Photo Paper and glossy HP Brochure/Flyer Paper?
Mark: Okay, you got me here. I’ve only used the Photo paper once – four prints. Did I tell you I was running a business? But all of the paper products have been excellent. They have made the final presentation products “POP!” And the way they hold the ink in trying circumstances is “magnifico.” They don’t smudge up or run when wet. The brochure paper is amazing. I am still trying to find the ideal template for my biz. But the brochures I’ve produced are as good as they come.
Bret: Overall, how well did the new Officejet Pro fit the needs of your business compared to your previous printer?
Mark: This is a loaded question. Your HP bias is showing. Let me put it this way. If I hadn’t gone through this experience and learned how many more things I could do and DO WELL with this All-in-One, it would have been a tie. But this 8500 allows me to do things I never would have done with my previous all-in-one. And it does them with such ease and in such high quality.
“WOW’” is the impression the Challenge left me with.
Bret: Would you recommend this printer to other small business owners? If so, why?
Mark: Without a doubt. This machine will make you proud of what you are able to produce. Sure, there are some items that I do in the hundreds, and even thousands, that I will outsource. But for those things that take a personalized touch or those that require differentiation or contrasting ideas, the end product from this small business machine will be hard to beat (and you don’t have to wait for the Print shop to call and say that it is ready).
Finally, even the routine functions, are handled seamlessly by a touch screen input panel. It walks you through your options and maximizes the result. What more could you ask for from the machine? Espresso? Latte?
Bret: Now you have the choice. Would you ever go back to your old printer?
Mark: Somebody would have to pay me a LOT of money as an inducement to use the old machine. Even then, I’d keep my 8500 wired in and sneak back to use it at every opportunity!
Bret: Congratulations on your win, Mark! I hope that you continue to enjoy the HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless All-in-One. Be sure to follow the new HP Officejet Pro Challenge: Laser Edition when it launches in a few weeks to hear what a fresh group of small business owners are saying about the Officejet Pro. Click here to check it out.
Opinions expressed here and in any corresponding comments are the personal opinions of the original authors, not of HP and may not have been reviewed in advance by HP.
1Majority of color laser AiOs <$600, June 2008; for details, www.hp.com/go/officejet. OJ Pro ISO yield with highest-capacity cartridges based on continuous printing; see www.hp.com/go/learnaboutsupplies. Energy use based on HP testing using the ENERGY STAR® program's TEC test method criteria.
More Truth About Print and Prosper Cost of Ink Claims
In the 2 weeks since I shared my initial thoughts on the Truth About Kodak's Print and Prosper Cost of Ink Claims, I've received a few comments and questions here in the HP Inkjet Printing Blog, over on Twitter, and in other conversations (the old-fashioned kind that can't be hyperlinked). I've been happy to explain why I think HP Printers and Original HP Supplies deliver unrivaled value and quality. But that's just my 2 cents.
- Printing Costs of HP Printers -- Get the uncolored truth about ink.
- Printer Ink Costs and HP Value -- Find what you really save (about a dollar a month) and what HP delivers that Kodak doesn't.
- Eco-Friendly Printing -- HP printers can not only deliver 72.9 million brilliant colors, they also can deliver something beautiful: energy savings.
- Quality Printers & HP Printing Innovation -- Printers may have a similar price tag, but rarely do they sport similar features. Learn more about the innovative standard features on HP printers that you won't find on Kodak's.
As always, if you have a question or comment, I invite you to send it my way.
The Truth about Print and Prosper Cost of Ink Claims
(Update: In the time since this post was first published, HP delivered its official response about the Printing Costs of HP Printers.)
I've been watching the Kodak Print and Prosper ad campaign
unfold during the past few days. In one commercial, it stated that "The world's
most expensive liquid isn't found in the Middle East" -- a playful jab at the
rising cost of oil, but an unfair swipe thrown at competitors regarding the cost of ink. I couldn't help but set the record straight from my perspective.
- We've been down this road before, and it's
very misleading.
Don't take it from me, see what PC Magazine, PC
World, Engadget,
and others had to say about this cost of ink hype
(it earned a "Worst
of 2007" label from PC Mag). - Do the math.
Milk
is more expensive per gallon than crude oil. So is bottled
water. I personally understand that I pay for quality when I buy a
cartridge that delivers up to 72.9 million
possible color combinations and can deliver photo
prints that last for more than 100 years. - Times are tough. We can help.
No gimmicks here. We understand that for many customers cost per page is a
serious purchase consideration. Our take is you should score some serious
savings without sacrificing our legendary
print-at-home quality. That's why last
year HP introduced XL
cartridges, Ink
Combo Packs and Photo Value
Packs. (You can go here to
learn more about easy ways to
save money and continue to get
lab-quality prints at home. ) In addition, we've made it simple for you to
access literally hundreds of free printing projects you can customize and print
at home - whether you need a greeting card and calendar or a professionally
designed flyer or a full-blown marketing kit for your small business, you'll
find it at the HP Creative Studio.
For 25 years, HP's been proud to deliver leading innovation,
unparalleled customer support, and to be the top-ranked printing brand in the
industry according to customers and media alike. We'll keep working hard every
day to bring you the quality, value, and reliability you expect from us --
today, tomorrow, and for a long time to come.
Got a question or comment? I invite you to send it my way.
