While there is obviously cost in research and manufacturing the ink, they could 100% make it substantially cheaper. But they can make more money with expensive ink, and cheap printers.
If someone buys a more expensive printer, the company profits that once, and there will be a higher barrier to entry because not as many people are willing to spend that much up front on a printer. So while they could still up-charge for ink, fewer people would be buying it, but if they up-charged for both that would be fewer people buying still overall.
If instead they give away the printers for super cheap, even if it’s at a loss, then up charge a ton for the ink, a bunch of people will have printers that will routinely need more ink. Someone may see a printer on sale for $10 and think “what an incredible deal” and get it on an impulse. Now they’re stuck needing to purchase the ink to keep it functioning. That is a higher income spread over a longer period of time. Companies will always be able to profit more if they can get people to spend their money over time than if they offer a reliable product for a one time purchase.
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Why does printer ink cost so much?
While there is obviously cost in research and manufacturing the ink, they could 100% make it substantially cheaper. But they can make more money with expensive ink, and cheap printers.
If someone buys a more expensive printer, the company profits that once, and there will be a higher barrier to entry because not as many people are willing to spend that much up front on a printer. So while they could still up-charge for ink, fewer people would be buying it, but if they up-charged for both that would be fewer people buying still overall.
If instead they give away the printers for super cheap, even if it’s at a loss, then up charge a ton for the ink, a bunch of people will have printers that will routinely need more ink. Someone may see a printer on sale for $10 and think “what an incredible deal” and get it on an impulse. Now they’re stuck needing to purchase the ink to keep it functioning. That is a higher income spread over a longer period of time. Companies will always be able to profit more if they can get people to spend their money over time than if they offer a reliable product for a one time purchase.
Because people will pay a lot for it. Go figure.