Took a peek at that, and it looks like a good deal.
My next question (for everyone) is whether or not they've had to use customer support, and if it was in fact, supportive? Here's an exchange between Lexmark and myself (I admit to getting a bit
testy because one of my greatest pet peeves is customer service that doesn't actually provide a service):
Someone will be with you shortly...
[Me] All-in-one suddenly stopped working. Power button flashes. Computer thinks there is no printer. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling, but now I can't even reinstall. I've been researching this problem and it seems LOTS of people have it and complain that it never gets resolved. I'd love for you to prove them wrong.
[Ashley] Welcome to Lexmark Chat Support.
[Me] Hi Ashley
[Ashley] I will help you with this issue.
[Me] I hope so!
[Ashley] Hello.
[Ashley] Please confirm me the printer model.
[Me] Located where? On the back? It's in Chinese. I don't read Chinese.
[Ashley] Please check it once again.
[Me] ****-***?
[Ashley] Your model is X1185,right?
[Me] I think so, according to the picture on your website, but I don't find that on the printer itself.
[Ashley] It must be written on the printer.
[Me] Tell me where, and I'll look for it.
[Ashley] It must be on the top of the printer.
[Me] Must be? It's NOT. It says Lexmark on the left corner and PrintTrio on the right corner where all the buttons are.
[Ashley] Okay.
[Ashley] Please look on the front of the printer for the name "Lexmark" and then either a full number, or a letter/number combination (usually starting with "X," "Z" or "P").
[Me] None of those. It ONLY says Lexmark. Period. On the right, it says Print Trio, Period. The buttons are Paper Feed, Scan, Color Copy, Black Copy. If it said anything else, I WOULD TELL YOU. I promise. I'm not trying to make this more difficult.
[Ashley] Bur
[sic] this information is important for us to troubleshoot the issue further.
[Me] Then maybe they should put it where the customer can find it, ya think?
(pause)
[Me] My disk says Lexmark X1100 Series, All-in-one Installation Software
[Ashley] Okay.
[Ashley] Please let me know whether you have inserted the cartridges inside the printer.
[Me] Yes, it has cartridges.
[Ashley] Please remove the cartridges and check it out whether the power light is blinking?
[Me] I can't remove them. The thing they move on is way over on the right inside, so I can't reach them, and since it won't print, they aren't moving to the center.
[Ashley] Please try to pull the cartridge carrier to the center.
[Me] And if it breaks???
[Ashley] Please do it very slowly.
[Me] And if it breaks????????
[Ashley] Okay.
[Ashley] Please give 1 minute.
[Me] I've got it centered now. What next?
[Ashley] Please try to remove the cartridges.
[Me] Done. Light is still blinking.
[Ashley] Okay.
[Ashley] If lights are blinking then printer encoder strip is most likely the problem. Unplug the power from the printer. Open the front cover and move the cartridge carrier to the center. You should see a white ribbon cable, a thin plastic strip and a black belt with teeth.
[Me] Yes.
[Ashley] If you cannot repair the strip, please let us know so that we can assist you further. Please Note: Fixing the encoder strip is a delicate procedure. During the troubleshooting, if the strip breaks, you will not be able to use the printer. We will replace the printer, only if it is under warranty.
[Me] What's wrong with the strip? What am I supposed to do with it?
[Ashley] The thin plastic strip is the encoder strip. It rides in a sensor on the back of the cartridge carrier that you will not be able to see. Reach in with the first finger of either hand and carefully strum the strip as if playing a guitar.
[Me] Okay ... and that did what?
[Ashley] The strip will need to be lowered slightly and brought towards you slightly. Please be careful not to break the strip or your printer will not function. Once you believe the strip is set correctly, plug the power back and let us know if the lights are still blinking.
[Me] I'm going to avoid the sarcasm I feel at this moment. Hang on ...
[Ashley] Please take your own time.
[Me] How am I supposed to know when it's set correctly?
[Ashley] Once you believe the strip is set correctly, plug the power back and let us know if the lights are still blinking.
[Me] HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHEN IT'S SET CORRECTLY?
[Ashley] The thin plastic strip is the encoder strip. It rides in a sensor on the back of the cartridge carrier that you will not be able to see. Reach in with the first finger of either hand and carefully strum the strip as if playing a guitar. The strip will need to be lowered slightly and brought towards you slightly. Please be careful not to break the strip or your printer will not function. Once you believe the strip is set correctly, plug the power back and let us know if the lights are still blinking.
[Ashley] Please follow the above two steps.
[Me] The light is still blinking.
[Ashley] Please check it again.
[Me] The light, or the sensor strip?
[Ashley] I mean the power light.
[Me] It's definitely blinking. I can see it quite clearly.
[Ashley] Okay.
[Ashley] Please provide us the printer serial number. The serial number is an 11 digit number on the back of the printer, usually near the letters S/N and most likely near the UPC code, if present.
[Me] ***********
[Ashley] Thank you for the information. Please let me know when did you purchase the printer?
[Me] I don't remember.
[Ashley] Please give me 2 minutes while I check my resources. Thank you.
[Ashley] Thank you for waiting.
[Ashley]Please accept my apologies for the problems you are experiencing.
[Ashley] Right now we are not able to track warranty of your printer. Please fax the proof of purchase of this printer to the following number:
[Ashley] 859 825 6676.
[Ashley]Once again please accept my apologies for the problems you are experiencing.
[Ashley] If it is under warranty, then your printer will be replaced.
[Ashley] I am trying my best to resolve the issue.
[Ashley] But we need proof of purchase to replace the printer.
[Ashley] Is there anything else I could assist you with?
[Me] So basically, you're telling me you know something is defective in this printer. I want to know ... is the problem that band of plastic you had me strum on?
[Ashley] Yes. It seems the encoder strip is not working fine.
[Ashley] Is there anything else I could assist you with?
[Me] You never did tell me how I could know whether or not I moved the encoder strip to the right place. What if I didn't? What if I had moved it a hair more, and suddenly this thing is going to work? Let's try again. THIS TIME, tell me how I can know I've wiggled the encoder strip enough.
[Ashley] If you want to repeat the steps,it 's given above. Please repeat the steps.
[Me] Lexmark KNOWS this is a defective part in all these printers, and they should replace them for free. Give me more information for repeating the steps. EXACTLY how far do I need to move the strip up and forward? Will I feel when it's in the right place, the way I can tell when a snap is snapped or a zipper zipped? Or is there something wrong with it because I can move it AT ALL? Give me some specifics.
[Ashley] Okay.
[Ashley] Please give me a minute.
[Ashley] Thank you for waiting.
[Ashley] Please check to ensure there is nothing obstructing the paper feed mechanism down inside the printer where it is not easily seen. If there is nothing obvious, unplug the printer and remove the paper. Open the front cover and look above the steel rod. You should see a conveyor belt with rubber teeth on it, like a fan belt. Take the bottom part of that belt and move it gently to the left. The cartridges should come out with it. Make sure the cartridges can move fully from one side of the printer to the other. Check also the output rollers on the bottom of the printer for any blockage.
[Ashley] If it is jamming under the carrier assembly, you may be able to fix it using the manual feed slot. Turn the printer off. Next take a #10 envelope and feed it through the left side of the paper feed slot (The manual paper feed slot is preferred, but the automatic feed will do if there is no manual paper feed for this printer) until it comes completely through the printer to the back of the exit rollers. Move it up and down and slowly move it over to the right side. If something is stuck under the black guide plate this may work it loose or you may have to feed the envelope through the front rollers and push your way backward (please be careful here).
[Ashley] Please follow the above steps.
[Ashley] Are you there?
[Me] Yes. I'm following the instructions, which frankly, I think is a waste of time. The problem is not that anything is stuck in the printer. The problem is that my computer has stopped recognizing that there IS a printer.
Ashley] I understood your problem. The printer is defective. But without proof of purchase we can not replace it. If you wish we can provide you 20% discount printer. For that please give your first name:
[Ashley] Last Name:
[Ashley] Phone Number:
[Ashley] Email Id:
[Ashley] Is there anything else I could assist you with?
[Me] I would want another piece of crap WHY???
[Me] Is there somewhere I can take this to have it repaired?
[Ashley] If you would rather speak to one of our technicians, you may call us at 1-800-332-4120. Our hours of operation are given below:
Monday to Friday: 8 AM to 11 PM EST.
Saturday: 12 PM to 6 PM EST.
[Ashley] Is there anything else I could assist you with?
[Ashley] Are you there? If I do not receive a reply I may need to end this chat session.
[Me] Before I go, I want you (and your supervisors) to know that I am going to post this conversation ALL OVER the Internet. Everywhere I see a place where a customer is looking for help on how to fix it, and everywhere I see a place where a customer is complaining, I'm going to post this. I have your words: "The printer is defective." Maybe I can save someone else from buying this worthless piece of plastic before it's too late.
[Me]Goodbye, Ashley
(Pop-up Window) You've been disconnected! Please reload this page to reconnect.
I did, in fact, call a technician. "Roger" wasted my time and phone minutes by having me move the cartridge carrier back and forth, unplug the power cord a few times, verify the serial number four freaking times, and strum that plastic ribbon again. In the end, he reiterated what Ashley said: "It's defective."
Stepping off my soapbox now.