Most folks don't know this but there is a reset on many ink cartridges where you can get more ink out of them it is usually a tiny hole for a pin or paper clip to be inserted.

I have Brother Printers and the Brother Software tells you when the Ink or Toner Needs Replaced and Which Color! With Windows 10, my Brother Software is No Longer working the way it did before the Upgrade, but Windows 10 does prompt me as to which Ink /Toner cartridge needs Replaced.

I have used HP in the past and my experience with HP is the same as Brother, the Icon in the Lower Right Corner (Notification Area on the Taskbar) tells you which color needs replaced. HP may have changed they way they do it, it's been 8-10 years since I've used an HP Printer!

I ended up replacing all of the ink cartridges before the printer would work. I am definitely going to look for that tiny hole in the future, aputernut. Also, finally it dawned on me that a color was showing up in the message window of the printer with a tiny alphabet letter in it; a different color showed up for each cartridge that had to be replaced. Actually, that is pretty cool when you think about it. Thanks to all of you for giving me advice.

If you shop at Costco just refill them there. I believe the cost is about $10 per cartridge. Your printer will leave you nasty messages but pay no attention. They work fine and will NOT damage your printer as HP claims.

I agree with 4thumbs. However, be aware that companies want to force you to buy their cartridges because there is such a huge profit margin for them. It's like when razor companies sold you a cheap razor and got all of their profit from the proprietary blades they sold you afterwards. HP caused a huge firestorm of protest last year when they provided a seemingly innocent firmware update for certain of their printers. Customers who downloaded this update later found out that the firmware prevented the use of certain third-party ink cartridges, even ones that had functioned fine before. The reaction was so fierce that HP backed off, but it made me think about ever buying an HP printer again, or installing any update unless I clearly understand everything it does.

HP rethinks policy

I have a cheap Brother laser B&W printer. After covering the sensors to get extra mileage from the toner cartridges, I wait until it practically won't print before I order another cartridge. I suspect I've spent more in toner than what the printer is worth, so I wait until the very last moment before ordering another toner in case the printer craps out on me. I order from Costco and you only have to get one, the shipping is free and they're fast.

However, I do have another HP inkjet in case I need copies if the laser is out of toner.

I had an HP Laser for 15 years. It still had the original cartridge in it.

WOW! I use mine heavily for heavy graphics such as WordArt type fonts in large sizes.

My family thinks I'm anal, but I make large, heavy print labels for foods in my freezer and also to label boxes of various items, such as tools, hardware, etc. in my basement.

I hate having to hunt through my freezer for foods, as they all look the same when frozen and it helps me quickly find items without thawing out the entire contents by having the door open so long,

It's the same for trying to find tools and such.

So anyway, my toner gets very heavy use and despite that it lasts quite awhile and I squeeze every ounce of toner out by using it to the very last drop so to speak.

However, I think you may well hold the record for the longest lasting toner cartridge. That's amazing!

Look for a highly regarded seller on ebay.

I have an epson printer and the ink in the store runs about $80.00 for a four pak.

I buy the exact same inks on ebay (From a certain seller) and get TEN inks for $9.00 and the inks are Not refills and are in the original packages.

It is important to shop Only with a highly rated and verified seller!

This is one of the sellers I purchase my inks from. http://www.ebay.com/itm/12PK-Ink-For-Epson-98-99-T098-T0981-T0986-Artisan-810-835-837-700-710-725-730/121450496146