Which is the best place to buy large Epson printers?

[HelenOster]

I have asked Adorama. Apparently they do not export printers to Singapore. Not sure what is the reason, maybe some dealership constraint.

I hadn't heard of this, so I checked with our purchasing department - and have been advised that there is no such restriction!



Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

helen.oster@adoramacamera.com
www.adorama.com

 

[lordpain]

AYC Nee,

I just sent in my r2400 for repair at the epson service centre, they are offering me a refurbished epson 3850 for 1456.92sgd after gst. it comes with full inks, and one year warranty. (warranty not too sure but most likely) Not too sure if you would be interested. For myself, I've had enough of epson's ridiculously bad service, thus most likely jumping camp to canon.

regards,

kai

 

[AYC Nee]

Dear Helen

Many thanks for letting me know. I have reproduced my email with Adorama representative as below:

AYC Nee


Hi,

sorry but we dont export to singapore in general


Thank you for shopping with us we appreciate your business.


Sincerely,

Morris Abrams - "Online" Customer Service
E. service@adorama.com
P. (800) 223-2500 P. (212) 741-0401


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Morris

I am quite surprised to hear this. Is this only limited to Epson printers, or a majority of the goods you currently hold?

Regards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: A_Sales [mailto:sales@adorama.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 11:07 PM
Subject: An enquiry of shipping charges - Ticket# LTK16401639760X


Hi,

sorry we dont export to singapore


Thank you for shopping with us we appreciate your business.



Sincerely,

Morris Abrams - "Online" Customer Service
E. service@adorama.com
P. (800) 223-2500 P. (212) 741-0401

Can I help you with anything else? Don't hesitate to ask


Please Rate How Well I Solved Your Inquiry

We have assigned the following tracking ID to your inquiry: LTK16401639760X. Please use this ticket number in any correspondence with us.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Sir/Madam

I am interested in the Epson 4880 printer but I live in Singapore and would like to enquire the shipping charges, including all taxes, etc. I do not mind to have the item sent by surface mail as air freight cost will be prohibitive.

Do let me know so I could make a decision.

 

[bitsnbytes]

Hi Tim

Your replies are always most helpful! Did not realize 4800 and 7900 are outdated models as they are still being quoted on overseas websites. Would you say 4880 is a better buy now? Does it have a roll paper feeder?

I am not a very serious amateur and I would probably print about 10 sheets a month and sometimes for friends foc. I guess the 7 series is probably on over-kill in terms of price and functions? Or would it be better to invest in the 7 series then regret later and go for an upgrade? Larger printers can always print smaller sizes without problems I believe.

Thank you very much for the link to the thread on resolution. It is very useful.

Another silly question, what is the best way to mount large prints, aside from expensive and heavy photo frames?

AYC Nee

Dear AYC and admins;

I hope my reply would help you in making a better decision in getting the correct printer. Knowing the cultural of this forum, please trust that my comments are neutral. My reply is to help fellow members make the right decision.

Thank you for your understanding.

Would you say 4880 is a better buy now? Does it have a roll paper feeder?

Epson 4880 and Epson 7880 basically have the same mechanism in them. The only difference is the size obviously. Epson 7880 prints up to A1 and Epson 4880 prints up to A2+. The Epson 7880 is a stand alone LFP (Large Format Printer), whereas the Epson 4880 is a desktop LFP.

Which model you are getting really depends on what size you print more. And because of the cassette feeding function, the 4880 inevitably becomes a more suitable choice for PGs.

The cassette function allows us to feed a stack of say for example; 4Rs, or maybe A4s sheet. This is not available in the 7880.

If you want to print sheet instead of roll on the 7880, you will have to feed sheet by sheet manually.

Did not realize 4800 and 7900 are outdated models as they are still being quoted on overseas websites.

The 4800 is indeed an older model, the 7900 is a new model. One thing to take note when comparing products with the overseas market.

Although they are under the same brand, the product marketing and etc varies from countries. The people in larger countries might have more printers allocated to them, hence resulting in units of older model still available even when we ceased them.

One thing for sure is that, in Singapore, Epson do not export their machines out. However to a certain extend, its not 100% within control of them. I can be a customer who buys here and then ship it overseas on my account.

But please take note that warranty for Epson is not International. Which means machines from overseas are not covered here and vice versa.

I hope my comments here provide some assistance to fellow brothers and sisters.

As we are looking to form a healthy relationship with CS, rest assure that we will adhere to the regulations of not soliciting for sales here.

Thank you very much.

Bits and Bytes Marketing Pte Ltd

 

[AYC Nee]

Dear friends

I have more or less zoomed in on the 4880, many thanks for all the advice. I am only deciding on which place can offer a better price due to my limited budget.

I noted even prices within Singapore can vary quite a lot. I hope they are not grey market products. I am also trying outlets in Hong Kong, if I receive good offers, I shall share with all of you.

Regards,
AYC Nee

 

[jsohhl]

Dear friends

I have more or less zoomed in on the 4880, many thanks for all the advice. I am only deciding on which place can offer a better price due to my limited budget.

I noted even prices within Singapore can vary quite a lot. I hope they are not grey market products. I am also trying outlets in Hong Kong, if I receive good offers, I shall share with all of you.

Regards,
AYC Nee

Hi AYC

My advice, do not buy unit from HK & Mainland China, they use a different ink code, which mean when you buy from HK and China you are unable to use the ink cartridge outside this region, their ink code is different from the rest of the world

I suggest you talk to Bits & Bytes and find out more

 

[AYC Nee]

Dear jsohhl

Did not realize this! Many thanks for the advice. It is strange that Epson regionalises their ink cartridges. Is this because in some countries, ink cartridges are sold cheaper in relation to the consumption power of the people there and hence they are not supposed to be exported? This is akin to some version of the books which can only be purchased and used in some countries?

It therefore looks like I am left with little choice but to buy the printer at the local high cost

Regards,
AYC Nee

 

[bitsnbytes]

Hi AYC

My advice, do not buy unit from HK & Mainland China, they use a different ink code, which mean when you buy from HK and China you are unable to use the ink cartridge outside this region, their ink code is different from the rest of the world

I suggest you talk to Bits & Bytes and find out more

Dear Brothers

What bro jsohhl said its true.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

The ink codes are different there, and sometimes Japan also carry a different code. They encode their chip differently, thus machines sold locally cannot read the ink cartridges.

They have their reason for doing so.

Although we DO NOT ENCOURAGE third party inks, but in this rapidly advancing society, many users chose to import their own inks from Korea and China. Cost is the major factor when they choose to bring such inks in.

Quality vs Price; depends on what u are looking for. To be fair, we can't control what people want to use. We can only advise them.

Dear friends

I have more or less zoomed in on the 4880, many thanks for all the advice. I am only deciding on which place can offer a better price due to my limited budget.

I noted even prices within Singapore can vary quite a lot. I hope they are not grey market products. I am also trying outlets in Hong Kong, if I receive good offers, I shall share with all of you.

Regards,
AYC Nee

Pricing wise, its more or less controlled over here in Singapore. The only difference is I think is customer service perhaps? :bsmilie::bsmilie:

I agree with AYC to compare and get a few prices first before making the move. Best is to get from a reliable reseller.

IMHO, try not to get from overseas.

Although it might cost a little cheaper (in some cases), but warranty is not covered here. Hence, if your machine does have any hiccups (TOUCHWOOD!), the local CS here won't be able to support you.

As I always said, customers have the right. So the risk is up to you to take.

I hope my humble 2 cents worth is able to help Bro AYC here.

Good luck in getting the printer soon.


On behalf of Bits and Bytes Marketing
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543028

 

[MC42]

Dear jsohhl

Did not realize this! Many thanks for the advice. It is strange that Epson regionalises their ink cartridges. Is this because in some countries, ink cartridges are sold cheaper in relation to the consumption power of the people there and hence they are not supposed to be exported? This is akin to some version of the books which can only be purchased and used in some countries?

It therefore looks like I am left with little choice but to buy the printer at the local high cost

Regards,
AYC Nee

Hi AYC Nee,

I am in the situation as you are. I would like more control over my printed output but local large format printers are so much more expensive than overseas. And shipping them in seems too much trouble.

The high price could be due to local distributors factoring in service support costs into the retail price. I think many of these printers are deployed in high volume commercial print shops which need speedy support if things go wrong.

I wonder... would distributors consider offering a reduced support plan with a lower retail price? Or perhaps a "pay-per-service-call" plan? Or even a "self-service" plan? (eg... self collect, self setup, on-site service call at $150 per visit, 1 week on-site lead time, email support only, but lower retail price.) Or perhaps package a service plan as an item I can purchase. eg SGD3k for printer with "self-service" plan. SGD4k for printer with "full service" plan.

There might be a whole new market for the first one to offer it. There could be a large number of graphic artists/photographers for whom a lower retail price would be highly attractive, and whose lower volume of output side-steps the need for commercial level service support. They'll need to rally fellow photogs/friends to help with the logistics of collection, setup, etc.

There might even be a market for printing workshops and courses. Some camera companies run regular paying workshops for customers on how to use their cameras effectively. Why not printers too? Afterall, printing technique is as much an art form as composition in photography.

Eg:
Basic - how to setup your printer and basic troubleshooting skills. SGD100.
Intermediate - profiling and colour managed workflow. SGD150.
Advanced - developing your own style using different art papers. SGD200.
Advanced2 - framing and presentation technique. SGD200.

Just some random thoughts of course.

 

[1Ds]

Hi AYC

My advice, do not buy unit from HK & Mainland China, they use a different ink code, which mean when you buy from HK and China you are unable to use the ink cartridge outside this region, their ink code is different from the rest of the world

I suggest you talk to Bits & Bytes and find out more

Ink code from HK is the same with Singapore as I'm using it now and it is much cheaper too.

 

[hanqiang1011]

Going for large format prints, is a luxury a photographer, artisit, graphic designer and other visual artists can have. You will now have the ability to generate large prints for clients as well as printing your own prints at your time and space.

However, one should know that it is not easy to maintain a large format printer. It needs constant care and clean as well as to buy the set of inks. I work in an arts institution, we are using Epson SP 9800 (a bit old model). It can produce prints up to 44" across. However, the ink alone, a set of 8, costs more than S$1200 per set. Maintainence fees thus is high especially during peak, after 10 students print, it needs to be changed. Also, since we are an institution, budget doesnt comes easy and as and when we need, we have difficulties attaining the budget required to buy the inks.

Modifying the printer to use 3rd party inks have pros and cons too. You will have more output, saves costs but risk to damage the nozzle head.

Careful planning is always good to have before going into large format printing

 

[AYC Nee]

Dear MC42

I would love to attend such workshops to hone my skills and make the best of those large and expensive printers. After spending $4k+ on a printer, $200 is a small investment to get better results, why not?

If some professionals out there are planning to orginize such workshops, I shall be happy to sign up. I really hope someone could look into this. Maybe major vendors can team up with the professionals and offer a special discount on ink cartridges, paper supplies, etc.


AYC Nee

 

[bitsnbytes]

Dear MC42

I would love to attend such workshops to hone my skills and make the best of those large and expensive printers. After spending $4k+ on a printer, $200 is a small investment to get better results, why not?

If some professionals out there are planning to orginize such workshops, I shall be happy to sign up. I really hope someone could look into this. Maybe major vendors can team up with the professionals and offer a special discount on ink cartridges, paper supplies, etc.


AYC Nee

Guys, this is indeed a wonderful idea. There are many things to look out for when it comes to printing. I would be more than happy to organise such workshops.

The only thing is that I am short of feedback. Like what are the topics that you guys need to cover etc. With more of such input, I will be more than happy to get one starting.



Bits and Bytes Marketing

 

[jsohhl]

Ink code from HK is the same with Singapore as I'm using it now and it is much cheaper too.

Hi 1Ds

is your printer model before X880 model ? Maybe X800 or even X600 series

 

[1Ds]

Hi 1Ds

is your printer model before X880 model ? Maybe X800 or even X600 series

Is the X880 model printer bought from 'C' Photo Store.

 

[AYC Nee]

I do believe that Epson ink cartridges are largely coded. The problem being that some original Epson cartridges I bought from Singapore also could not be recognised by the smart printer and it can be most frustrating. It happend to me twice for my 1390 printer, and in both occasions, it was the light magenta ink cartridge (T0856) which gave me problems. The seller did not seem to believe me as the package had been opened (obviously!) and refused to change to another one for me and suggested I should go back to Epson....