Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Somehow My Math Brain Wasn't Kicking In


Hmmmm. Bought three ink cartridges for my printer at a yard sale a few weeks back. They were long past their expiration date but I figured it was worth a try at two bucks each. In the store they run $30 each. I figure if they work, it's a bargain. If not, I haven't lost a great fortune.

I don't know how many prints I can get out of a NEW cartridge. I know it's a lot but I've never counted them.

But out of curiosity I decided to count the prints from the first of the $2 "bargains". So I kept a running tally.

Today's copy count approached 750 and I was jumping up and down with excitement. Bragged on Twitter. That was not wise. Ten sheets later the cartridge ran out of ink! I took the cartridge out, tapped it on the table top sidesways, upside down, right sight up. Tap! Tap! Tap! TAP!!! The printer hiccuped and gave me a couple more copies that were a bit on the unacceptable side.

Still...760 prints at $2 makes my per copy cost at about one-fourth of a penny per copy. Not bad. Even if the two remaining cartridges are dead from the get-go, I've still had a good run. And hey, when the three cartridges are used up, I can trade them in at my office supply store for a $3 credit each. That is a $1 profit above and beyond all the printing.

But I'm not so smart after all. There were several other cartridges that she was selling at $2 apiece. Could have traded them in for $3, too.

I'm laughing (at myself) all the way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.
.

5 comments:

blushing rose said...

Sounds pretty smart to me!! You are too funny.

Have a great week. TTFN ~ Marydon

Debby said...

LOL.

Elle Bee said...

Hey that's awesome!
Elle

Laurie M. said...

You're a funny lady! We take our's to a business that sells refilled recycled cartridges. I've never done the count - it would never work in my house - too insane around here. But I'm pretty sure the refills don't last as long as the new ones, and sometimes the little computer part is screwy so it tells me it's empty even when it is a newly refilled cartridge. And yet, I buy the recycled ones anyway, 'cause that what us Californians do after we're done eating our granola and giving dirty looks to smokers.

cinnamongirl93 said...

That happens to me all the time. If I even think about bragging just a little bit .....pow, it's all over. smile!