"ethics" (?) of forced supply purchases

Don Y · 2012-04-16T02:05:52+00:00

Hi,I'm curious as to the ethical issues (opinions) regardingtying customers into a particular supplier ("yourself")for ongoing product "consumables".[E.g., Joe Computer User purchasing printer suppliesfrom the manufacturer instead of Bob's House-of-Clones]Ignore the case(s) where there are significant liabilityissues involved (e.g., replacement parts for aircraft,chemicals for medical assays, etc.).Clearly, there are certain cases where the supplies canarguably affect the perceived quality of the product (*your*product) where you might argue that you have a financialinterest (reputation) in preventing your product's image(and that of your firm) from being sullied by some off-brandsupplier.(This was an argument printer ink suppliers tried to float)But, that often can be a thinly veiled rationalization forlocking the consumer into *your* supplies.When does this just get to be *too* outrageous? E.g., Iknow of a medical instrument supplier that sold "proprietary"distilled water (!) -- in tamper proof, one-time-use "modules".(Do they *really* think no one can supply distilled waterto whatever degree of purity they claim to need??)When does the customer start to *resent* the vendor becauseof this sort of practice?(I used the printer ink analogy as it seems that customersare *finally* "getting wise" to that false economy -- $99printer with $80 ink cartridges!)I.e., what would a *rational*, *fair* set of criteria befor making this decision (vendor-side)? How do you *not*sound "pissy" when you disclaim the use of any "unapproved"supplies as voiding the warranty?As a distinctly separate issue, how do you extend this reasoninginto supporting third-party *service*?In each case, keep in mind that it is increasingly easier tofind "proprietary information" for just about anything. And,a garage shop, someplace, who will provide the services/suppliesyou want/need via an "unapproved" channel.

Apr 16, 2012 47 Replies

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Michael A. Terrell 14 years ago

This offer not valid in the US, or its possessions! See label on cartridge for full details.

You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.

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Don Y 14 years ago

This offer valid only at sea level! (not on your way SPIRALLING DOWN

*TO* IT!) :>

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Fred Abse 14 years ago

Not to mention the possibility of having to demonstrate, in a court of law, that the equipment was being operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled." (Richard Feynman)

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Michael A. Terrell 14 years ago

This offer not valid on days ending in 'Y'. ;-)

You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.

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josephkk 14 years ago

=46inally got around to asking.

?-/

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josephkk 14 years ago

=20

Maybe, and then only if the pressure regulator to the external world is permanently part of the cartridge.

Just the same restaurants seem to be able to have plenty of trained personnel to handle large cylinders of CO2 (2200 psi full). Not all resituate personnel are the sharpest knives in the drawer. I am sure = that a civil suit or product liability suit defense lawyer could bring this = up.

?-)

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josephkk 14 years ago

Answer from another correspondent posted directly to s.e.d.

Repeating it here:

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?-)

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Martin Brown 14 years ago

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Those *are* the OEM Canon ones! And they are overpriced too! Almost everything hitech is on an exchange rate of GBP £1 = $1 USD.

On a good day I can get authentic BCI-6 Bk for £6, CMY for £7 in the UK and the more expensive PM and PC for £10. I can sometimes do even better if there is a buy one get one half price deal on. Clones are much cheaper, but they don't work at all and I don't run sufficient print volume to justify a bottled ink conversion kit (which does work).

$15 each for BCI-6 does not look like a good price to me.

Amazon.com puts a bound on original Canon cartridges of $53/6 ~ $9

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Some cheaper clone cartridges alson come up on a wider search but the ones I have tested in the UK have been worse than useless. Thankfully they didn't damage the print head but neither did they work well.

Regards, Martin Brown

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