If only postage still cost 2p these days! Unfortunately, the cost of shipping has risen over the years, but we like to do as much as possible to make shipping as cheap and painless as possible!

There are a few issues we come across quite regularly when customers are looking to purchase ink cartridges. In this blog post we'll be covering postage, understanding your options and getting the best from it!

Which Postage Method Is Best For Me?

We try to make our choice of postage methods as clear as possible! Other companies sometimes hide behind false promises or bamboozle you with terminology or stats. Our postage options are as clear as we can make them and are available during the checkout process to compare at a glance, as follows:

FREE - Royal Mail 48 (Equivalent to 2nd Class Post). Royal Mail aim to deliver within 2-3 working days. Sometimes orders have been known to arrive the next day but sometimes they can take up to 5 days. This is a guideline only and we recommend waiting 5 working days from receiving your dispatch email before contacting us about missing post.

£1.00 - Royal Mail 24 (Equivalent to 1st Class Post). Royal Mail aim to deliver within 1 working day. Royal Mail claim 93% of all Royal Mail 24 Parcels are delivered the next working day, but they do not guarantee this. Likewise, the odd parcel may take up to 3 days to arrive, and again, this is just a guideline and not a guarantee of arrival times.

£5.00 - Guaranteed Next Day Delivery. This is the only shipping option that aims to guarantee delivery on the next working day after the order was placed. Provided that the order was placed before 3pm (Mon-Fri). Next Day Delivery does not include Saturday or Sunday, so items ordered on a Friday using this method should be expected on Monday.

If for any reason you do not receive your parcel within the 'Next Day' timescale, please get in touch with our customer service team and we will be happy to refund your £5.00 postage charge. Obviously from time to time, events outside of our control can happen, but we will make sure you are not left out of pocket!

Deciding What To Purchase?

This is almost as important as deciding on your postage method for some people. Nobody likes that potentially long and stressful journey to the Sorting Office, especially having to queue up to collect your undelivered parcel! If you're not generally in during the daytime when a parcel may arrive, we recommend learning what items you normally buy and work out what will fit through your letter box. It's too complex to list all of the possible combinations here, but a few examples of our most popular products are listed below:

Canon 5/8, 520/521, 525/526, 550/551, 570/571 Multipack - 2 Multipacks will fit through a standard letterbox
Canon 520/521, 525/526 Individuals- 12 Individuals will fit through a standard letterbox
Canon 5/8 Individuals- 10 Individuals will fit through a standard letterbox
Canon 550/551, 570/571 Individuals - 8 Individuals will fit through a standard letterbox

Epson T0715, 16XL, 18XL, 29XL, T1285, T1295 Multipack - 2 Multipacks will fit through a standard letterbox
HP 364XL Multipack - 3 Multipacks will fit through a standard letterbox
Brother LC123, LC223, LC980, LC970, LC1220/1240/1280 Multipack - 2 Multipacks will fit through a standard letterbox

Certain products are a little wider such as HP 950/951, 932/933, 920 and 934/935 for example. These may fit through a letterbox but it depends on the size of individual letterboxes.

Postage and Delivery Checklist!

• It's always a good idea to have an idea of when you are likely to run out of ink and make sure you have re-ordered in plenty of time. Timescales listed above are only guidelines and we're quite often left in the hands of our 3rd party delivery services after items are dispatched.
  
  
• If you order during a weekend, be aware that orders will start to be packed on Monday and the first day possible to receive a weekend order is Tuesday at the earliest.
  
  
• At checkout, make sure you have selected your current correct delivery address. Many customers have several addresses saved and it is very easy at times to select an old or incorrect address by mistake. When logged into the website, old addresses can be edited or deleted from your account section under addresses. We recommend taking a few moments to delete any old or no longer used addresses which will make the checkout process quicker for you and eliminate the chances of a mistake being made.
  
  
• Take care when entering your delivery details at checkout! We regularly see incorrect digits used in postcodes (i.e. ! instead of 1, & instead of 7, or a o instead of 0 etc.) Addresses are not routinely checked so any addresses selected or entered at checkout will be exactly where the parcel is sent. Luckily our warehouse pickers and packers spot a large % of mistakes before the parcel is sent but during busy periods, some can slip through the net!
  
  
• Like us, you'll probably find yourself at work during the times you'd expect a parcel to arrive! Make sure you have set up a designated neighbour or selected a local post office with Royal Mail for those times you are not in. Many people now choose to get their parcels delivered to a work address where there will always be someone to accept delivery.

Due to recent enforced design changes to the Compatible D116L toner cartridge, the toner will need to be reset after installation following the process below.

You can view this process in action here.

1. Insert toner and close the door.
   
   
2. Wait for the light to turn solid Green and an error message may appear on the display.
   
   
3. Hold down the button with a 'X' on it until the light starts to blink. Only release after the light turns solid Green again.
   
   
4. The cartridge should then be reset and a test sheet may be printed.

As you may or may not be aware, HP have recently installed timed firmware updates onto several printers, including the Officejet Pro X451dw, X476dw, X551dw and X576dw printers which may have disabled the functionality of compatible cartridges in your printer.

The good news is that HP have now made a fix available in the form of a downloadable firmware update from their support site.

If you encounter problems with your printer when installing our compatible cartridges, particularly when displaying the ‘Missing or Damaged Cartridges’ error message, then we recommend searching for the correct new firmware for your printer (and correct PC operating system) from the following link: HP Support & Drivers

1) Once on the correct page for your printer model, you should see a Blue ‘Download’ button. Click the button and select ‘Save as’.

2) Once the file has downloaded, run the file (Usually found in your Windows 'Downloads' folder) and this should then be uploaded to your printer, re-enabling your compatible cartridges once again.

*Inkredible.co.uk do not take any responsibility for failed Firmware updates and as such, they are only to be undertaken at the customers own risk.

Let us know if this re-enables compatible cartridges for you!

As you may or may not be aware, HP have recently installed timed firmware updates onto several printers, including the Officejet Pro 6230 and Officejet Pro 6830, which may have disabled the functionality of compatible cartridges in your printer.

The good news is that HP have now made a fix available in the form of a downloadable firmware update from their support site.

If you encounter problems with your printer when installing our compatible cartridges, particularly when displaying the ‘Missing or Damaged Cartridges’ error message, then we recommend installing the correct new firmware for your printer from the following links:

HP Officejet Pro 6230
DOWNLOAD HERE

HP Officejet Pro 6830
DOWNLOAD HERE


1) Once on the correct page for your printer model, you should see a Blue ‘Download’ button. Click the button and select ‘Save as’.

2) Once the file has downloaded, run the file (Usually found in your Windows 'Downloads' folder) and this should then be uploaded to your printer, re-enabling your compatible cartridges once again.

*Inkredible.co.uk do not take any responsibility for failed Firmware updates and as such, they are only to be undertaken at the customers own risk.

Let us know if this re-enables compatible cartridges for you!

Inkredible.co.uk have once again been highly rated in the latest Which? 'Best Cheap Cartridge Supplier' survey, July 2016.

All of our hard work has once again paid off with recognition from our very own customers, independently surveyed by Which? magazine.

For the 3rd consecutive year, inkredible.co.uk have landed a place in the top 4 retailers when it comes to supplying quality third party cartridges.

This year we have been awarded 4th overall out of 29 suppliers with a rating of 84%. Achieving a superb 5 Star Rating in all 3 categories; Value For Money, Colour Print Quality and Text Print Quality. Many thanks to all of our Inkredible customers, it wouldn't be possible without your loyalty so here's to many more years of quality cartridges, quality service and low prices!

We'd like to think that if Customer Service was included as a category then we would have snatched top spot!

Canon have announced their latest generation of Canon PIXMA all-in-one Printers for UK and European consumers.

The Canon PIXMA TS5050, TS6050, TS8050 and TS9050 series use the existing Canon PGI-570 and CLI-571 range of cartridges and are said to be around 40% more compact than printers released earlier this year. All four models include both Wi-Fi wireless networking and SD card slots, as well as an LCD control screen. The printers are compatible with all existing standard and XL capacity ink tanks. All of these printers, as you'd expect, are compatible with Google Cloud and Apple Air print functions.

Canon PIXMA TS5050 – Entry Level

The 5 cartridge entry-level TS5050 is also available in 3 alternative colour options (Models TS5051, TS5053 and TS5055) if you fancy something other than the standard Black. Unfortunately it doesn't feature automatic duplex printing and only has a non-touch 3" LCD display. The TS5050 is the slowest printer in the new range, but still capable of a decent 9ppm colour or 12.6ppm mono. An excellent choice for the home or infrequent user.

Canon PIXMA TS6050 – Advanced Home User

Next up is the TS6050. Still aimed at the Home User, and featuring the same 1,200 dots-per-inch printing and Five ink cartridge system like its younger brother, the TS5050. The TS6050 however, provides automatic duplex printing, a three-inch touch-screen display and slightly faster print speeds of 10ppm colour or 15ppm mono. This model is also available in 2 further colour options (Models TS6051 and TS6052).

Both entry level machines will turn out a borderless 4x6-inch print in around 39 seconds and also feature 1,200-dpi scanners capable of a full-page A4 scan in around 19 seconds.

Canon PIXMA TS8050/TS9050 – High End Users

The higher-end TS8050 can be bought in 3 further colours, White TS8051, Red TS8052 and Brown TS8053, while the top of the range TS9050 is Black/White but also also available in a Black/Red TS9055 variant.

Both deliver 2,400 dpi printing and scanning, as well as featuring a 6 cartridge ink system. The additional Grey cartridge offers enhanced definition and depth. Both are capable of a 4x6 inch print in 21 seconds, but document speeds are identical to that of the TS6050 at 10ppm colour or 15ppm mono.

Despite their higher scan resolution, the pair are capable of a full-page A4 scan quicker than the lower end models, in just 14 seconds. The TS8050 opts for a 4.3-inch touch screen display, and the TS9050 an upgraded 5-inch touch screen.

Both provide several features not available on the entry level models including both rear tray for Photo Paper and front cassette tray with 100 sheet capacity, direct disc print tray option and an ethernet port. The Pixma TS9050 and TS9055 both also feature snazzy two tone premium styling.

Pricing & Availabilty

The updated Canon PIXMA-series printers will be available from 18th November 2016 in the UK where RRP pricing is set at £120 for the PIXMA TS5050, £180 for the PIXMA TS6050, £200 for the PIXMA 8050 and £280 for the PIXMA 9050. (Links show stock for pre-order from www.amazon.co.uk)

UPDATE: NEW FIRMWARE RELEASED!

It has just been confirmed that HP have released a new Firmware for the printers recently affected by non working compatible 950/951 cartridges. It has now removed the security features designed to inhibit the use of third party compatibles, and as such, any remaining cartridges you have should work again after updating to the latest version.

• File Description (Oct 12th):

  "This firmware update removes previous security firmware that may prevent the printer from working with certain ink supplies that contain non-HP security chips."
  
  
  If you have one of the affected printers listed, then we recommend visiting the correct link for your printer below:
  
  
  
  HP Officejet 8610/8615/8616
  DOWNLOAD HERE

  HP Officejet 8620/8625
  DOWNLOAD HERE

  HP Officejet 8630
  DOWNLOAD HERE

  HP Officejet 8640
  DOWNLOAD HERE

  HP Officejet 8660
  DOWNLOAD HERE

  
  Instructions

  1) Simply download the correct firmware file by clicking the blue 'Download' button on the relevant link above for your printer.
  
  2) The downloaded file can usually be found in your 'Downloads' folder in Windows. Double click the file, it will run and update your printers' firmware.
  
  

  *Inkredible.co.uk do not take any responsibility for failed Firmware updates and as such, they are only to be undertaken at the customers own risk.

   

  Let us know if this re-enables compatible cartridges for you!

   

Which Printers Are Affected:

• HP Officejet Pro 8610
• HP Officejet Pro 8615
• HP Officejet Pro 8620
• HP Officejet Pro 8625
• HP Officejet Pro 8630
• HP Officejet Pro 8640
• HP Officejet Pro 8660

The Problem:

It has just been confirmed that HP has released a new firmware version that has been downloaded to a number of printer models in their range via a network or internet connection.

• Update: We have received reports that this firmware upgrade was built into the printers as a clocked automatic upgrade and it may not be possible  stop it from occurring by turning off the Auto upgrade.

If you have Compatible HP cartridges that were previously working but are now displaying the message 'Cartridges Missing or Damaged', it is likely that your printer has received the new firmware.

Unfortunately, this problem is industry wide and is affecting all compatible/third party cartridges from all UK suppliers.

Which Printers Are Affected:

• HP Officejet Pro 8610
• HP Officejet Pro 8615
• HP Officejet Pro 8620
• HP Officejet Pro 8625
• HP Officejet Pro 8630
• HP Officejet Pro 8640
• HP Officejet Pro 8660
• HP Officejet Pro x576dw
• HP Officejet Pro x476dw
• HP Officejet Pro x476dn
• HP Officejet Pro x551dw
• HP Officejet Pro x451dw
• HP Officejet Pro x451dn
• HP Officejet 6830

How To Prevent it:

Unfortunately the only sure fire way to prevent future firmware updates from being installed is to remove your printer from the network or internet connection and use the printer attached via USB only. We appreciate this may not be possible in all circumstances it may help to keep you printing in the short term until updated cartridges are available.

Whilst some of these printers to have the option of turning off automatic updates, it is our experience (and that of many of our customers judging by feedback we have received) that this option is not always adhered to and updates may still be applied even if the option is turned off.

It may be worth a try though, so if you want to give it a go the steps below should help if your model supports it: 

As long as Web Services is enabled, you can select the Web Services icon as seen in the image outlined in red:

1. Go to Settings,
2. Then select Printer Update,
3. Then Auto Update,
4. and Off.

This will prevent the firmware from being updated on the printer. Within the same menu if you want to, you can also go to ePrint On/Off and Apps On/Off.

We are working hard with our manufacturer to produce cartridges that are once again able to work as expected with the affected models, we hope to have these available within the coming weeks.

• Update: A new chip has now been produced and confirmed to work on the affected models - We have stocks of updated cartridges en route and expect these will be with us early october.

What To Do If You're Having Problems:

At INKredible all of our cartridges are 100% guaranteed to work in your printer. Even though this issue has arisen as a result of updates published by HP rather than a fault with any of our compatibles, if you have purchased your compatible cartridges from us and are having problems, then, as always, you will not be out of pocket!

All we need is for you to contact us with details of the error message you’re experiencing together with your printer model, and a member of our team will get back to you within 24-48 hours to advise further.

What We Will Do For INKredible Customers:

For any unusable cartridges you have, we would like to offer you Reward Points to the equivalent value, as well as an extra £5 by way of a good will gesture as we understand the situation is very frustrating.

You will also be the first to know via email when we have updated cartridges available to purchase and will have priority if initial stocks are limited.

• Update: Alternatively, as we now have the updated cartridges en route from the manufacturer, if you would like to wait for the updated cartridges to arrive, just let us know and we will arrange replacements to be sent out as soon as they arrive.

This Summer we have decided to reward our customers with even more than usual...

Not only are we continuing to provide the best service with the lowest prices and 5% Reward Points back in your account on every purchase, we thought one lucky customer deserved something a little bit special!

Nearly everybody loves to use Social Media these days, so we thought why not ask our customers to do something simple in return for a chance of winning the rather lovely iPad Air 16gb over there!

All you have to do to be in with a chance is to make your purchase as normal, after which you will be greeted with the usual 'order complete' confirmation screen.

Underneath this will be a 'Share to Facebook' link telling your friends that you've been entered in our Grand Prize Draw... That's it! A chance of winning for doing something that you probably already do a few times a day.

We've noticed a few envious looks from our staff passing through the Inkredible office but unfortunately for them, the competition is only open to you, our lovely customers! Hopefully we'll make somebody's Summer with this prize!

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