With due acknowledgement to Scott Knickelbine, who wrote the original US based article in this section, here is the UK version.

I'll start by using the HP8 cartridge as an example, as this will provide a direct comparison with the original article. The prices quoted here are correct as of 20 June 2008. Helium removes the pound sign from the prices, so please note that all the prices are in pounds sterling.

You can buy these HP cartridges in 2 versions. There is a regular version which holds 19ml of ink. There is also a high capacity version which holds up to 45ml of ink, over twice as much (but check the specification as they vary).

At Tesco Direct you would pay 24.77 for an HP original regular cartridge. You will also get 24 Clubcard points as an insentive for buying here.

At PCWorld you can buy an HP original regular cartridge for 21.81 (inc VAT). It is claimed that this cartridge will print up to 450 pages.

If you go to theinkfactory.co.uk you can buy recycled regular cartridges. These are original HP cartridges that have been refilled. These cost 12.93 each or three for the price of two, bringing the price down to 8.62.

At cartridgemonkey.com you can buy two remanufactured regular cartridges for 19.49, equivalent to 9.75 each.

At ink2u.co.uk you can purchase a remanufactured high capacity cartridge for 14.95. This reduces to 13.95 if you buy 3 or more.

Finally, on Ebay you can buy a remanufactured cartridge for 7.99 inc delivery. This is a third of the price you would at Tesco Direct for an original cartridge.

Now let's take a look at some Epson cartridges, and use the same set of suppliers. I use an Epson R200 photoprinter. This is a photo printer and so uses 6 cartridges. One black and 5 colour.

At TescoDirect these cost 11.64 each or 69.84 for a set.

At theinkfactory.co.uk I can buy compatible cartridges for 6.58 each or original Epson cartridges for 11.75 each. 39.48 and 70.50 for a set.

Cartridgemonkey.com charge 44.99 for a six pack of Epson original cartridges, the equivalent of 7.50 each.

Ink2u charge charge 4.95 each for compatible cartridges, reducing to 3.95 each if you buy 3 or more. Equivalent to 29.70 or 23.70 for a set.

Finally, on Ebay you can buy compatible cartridges for 25 for 30 cartridges, a cost of just 84p each or just 5.04. Guess where I buy my cartridges!

Yes - I realise that occasionally compatible cartridges can cause a problem. But I've had this printer for a few years now. My view is that it is cheaper to replace the printer than to keep buying expensive ink. Sad in these times when we should all be trying to cut down on waste.

Learn more about this author, Carol Smith.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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