Kodak ESP-5 All-In-One Printer, Copier and Scanner On average, families print about 1500 pictures and documents at home every year—costing them on average £123 a year on ink. But with a KODAK ESP All-in-One Printer, you can print the same for just £48, which is a saving of on average £75 a year on ink3. This saving is verified by third party test and quality assurance professionals QualityLogic Inc.
Helpful consumer’s review
This printer uses the same print engine as the disgraceful Kodak 5300 and 5500. I work in a large store where we sell a lot of the biggest name brands. The 5300 was brought out a year ago and within my store it has acheived 25% returns just within the first year. Lexmark used to hold the crown as worst manufacturer reliability but Kodak has taken that crown easily.
One of the problems extends from the photo printing process where a clear film is applied over the ink on the paper. When the ink runs out this film is still applied, then if this paper is re-used after the ink is re-filled the ink will not stick and a mess ensues. If you do buy a kodak and you run out of ink, do not attempt to re-use any paper twice.
The problem above accounts for a large percentage of the returns, but the rest are a mixture of faults in a much higher ratio than any other manufacturer.
Kodak should be applauded for their approach on ink prices, but it a shame they are made poorly. Nice looking printer as well.
EDIT: well in my store we power up and take sample pictures of the new products. Last night was the ESP5’s turn. Started fine, printed test photo’s good, went to scan and it swallowed 20 sheets and the A4 drive mechanism is knackered. The first ESP5 opened is faulty – GREAT start, but it looks like the same problems from the 5300 are going to exist.
EDIT 2: During this years TV campaign there has been an upsurge in demand, and so has the returns! Looking at sales verses returns in my store alone, we are 33% returns in JUST 5 MONTHS – incredible failure rate. Kodak know all about these problems but refuse to acknowledge it. DO NOT FALL FOR THE HYPE.
EDIT 3: The news just gets worse. I am meeting people really unhappy instore with the after care Kodaks are giving. One lady paid out £33 in phone charges alone trying to fix her ESP’s. Another told of 3 print heads already in 3 months. The returns division are up in arms as Kodak will only talk to the customer, not to the Technicians, which places them in a very bad situation. I see the best 5 star review has been deleted as her printer went faulty in a year and the only 5 star ratings left are the new ones that have not gone wrong yet!
