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This isn't a Costco-specific thing. HP printers come in an "e" model, which requires an Instant Ink subscription (but is cheaper - effectively subsidized by th
by tjohns 3y ago
This isn't a Costco-specific thing.
HP printers come in an "e" model, which requires an Instant Ink subscription (but is cheaper - effectively subsidized by the subscription), and a non-"e" model that is unlocked (but costs more). Just don't buy the "e" models if you're shopping elsewhere.
In general, the reason Costco sells electronics with different model numbers is so that you can't price match them to/from other retailers. Sometimes a few minor features get removed as well to lower the overall cost.
- ShadowBanThis01 3y ago"the reason Costco sells electronics with different model numbers is so that you can't price match them to/from other retailers" Absolutely, although it's not clear who the perpetrator is. I suspect it's the manufacturer, not Costco.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- the_mitsuhiko 3y agoI do not believe this to be correct. I think that the e model just comes with subscription ink instead of regular ink.
- OGWhales 3y ago> In general, the reason Costco sells electronics with different model numbers is so that you can't price match them to/from other retailers. Costco doesn’t offer price matching.
- tonyarkles 3y agoI think they mean on the other side: using the Costco prices to go over and get the printer for even cheaper at BestBuy. Edit: I was just thinking a little more about this and wondering "wait, why would they want to stop people from doing that?" Best hypothesis: you see the Costco price and you know that it's going to be the best price you're going to find on that; there's no reason to shop around, if you want it you just go to Costco and get it.
- somehnguy 3y ago> Just don't buy the "e" models if you're shopping elsewhere Ah yes, “just” add another highly specific thing to your memory so that sometime unpredictable in a next x years you don’t get completely screwed by the giant corp. And for all those people who don’t spend their days on a computer reading HN, sucks to be you, HP got ya. The sarcasm in this comment isn’t directed at you (thanks for sharing the ‘e’ tidbit) - I’m just so so tired of giant corps actively trying to screw the consumer at every possible turn. It makes shopping for anything besides the absolute basics exhausting.