American Consumer… you have no more choice!

This maybe the best time to trade in that Epson printer!

The following synopsis of the ITC Final Determination was proudly provided to the “US Consumer” by Seiko-Epson Corp. on a special website. (http://www.itc.epson.com/) This is the reason companies, such as ours are unable to provide remanufactured or compatible inkjet cartridges as an affordable alternative for your printers. We will continue to offer the overpriced original Epson Brand (OEM) on our site.

On October 19, 2007 the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") issued a Final Determination that confirmed that all of the more than 750 accused cartridges for Epson inkjet printers infringe one or more of eleven Epson patents. The ITC issued a General Exclusion Order prohibiting all importers from importing infringing cartridges and Cease and Desist Orders that prohibit the named respondents from selling cartridges imported before the ITC Order. U.S. Customs and the ITC are now enforcing these Orders because they were not modified by President Bush during the sixty day Presidential Review Period.

In addition to the ITC actions, Epson filed U.S. District Court lawsuits against the same twenty-four companies named in the ITC action and a second lawsuit against resellers that continue selling infringing cartridges.

What to read the entire Epson case — click here (in PDF)

If you do not wish to pay OEM prices and would like to send Epson a strong consumer message, please see below.

STOP: Start thinking of a New Printer.

HP will give you Cash Back! Up to $1250

Now you have no reason not to purchase your new printer. HP is offering a cash-back incentive that makes it extra rewarding when you upgrade to a fast, energy-efficient new HP printer. Through the Make the Upgrade and Save promotion, you can earn a check for up to $1,250 when you upgrade to a new model from HP and send in your old laser printer. Trade in your old HP, Dell, Lexmark, Xerox, Epson, etc. and HP will pay for the shipping and recycling. Your savings are determined by the new HP printer model you choose. For each new printer purchased, an old laser printer must be traded in. Offer ends April 30, 2008.

• HP accepts all previously-owned HP LaserJets and all competitive brand laser printers.


• Only one old printer will be accepted for each purchase.


• Printers traded in will be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.

To obtain your rebate:

1. Purchase a new qualifying HP printer.


2. Fill out the online claim form at http://www.hp.com/go/maketheupgradefall


3. Follow the instructions on the claim form to fax or mail your proof of purchase for the new printer.


4. Within 2 business days, you’ll receive a prepaid FedEx shipping label. Just box up your old printer, attach the label and send it in for recycling.


5. Within 6 weeks, you’ll receive the rebate check on your new printer.

For more information regarding this program update, including a complete list of eligible printers and rebate values download PDF here.

You can always count on us to provide you with high quality HP inkjet cartridges and toner supplies.

Question: What happens when the greatest “product copiers” the world has ever known team up with brilliant US Patent Attorneys (out to make a buck)?

Answer: The US Consumer is sacrificed to a multi-national greed driven corporation.

Safe Internet Shopping

More and more, we find ourselves shopping online these days. As gas prices keep going up, and demand on our time increases, it makes sense to turn to our computer for many of the products and services we need. Personally, I used to get a little nervous about putting my name, personal data and credit card information in cyberspace. Many credit card companies have developed methods to make your transactions more secure. Some even provide a “fake” credit card number to use each time that protects the identity of your real number.

Many websites are advertising their security against outsiders getting your credit card information. Scan Alert, Hacker Alert and Thawte along with others regularly check the security of member sites and certify that those sites are secure against hackers. We are members of two services simultaneously, and take security against hacking very seriously.

One type of protection that we do not advertise is the way we protect you against a charge on your card from someone that already has your information. We are one of the few sites that do not rely exclusively on a computer generated system to catch suspicious transactions. We also look and evaluate each and every transaction that is placed on our website. Our experienced team knows what to look for, and how to verify the validity of these transactions. Many of these fraudulent transactions never even make it into our system. Many times, when we contact the card owner, they are totally unaware that their card has been stolen somewhere else, and they are very grateful that not only do we notify them of the theft, we do it before any charges have been placed on their card from our company. We have one of the lowest fraud rates in this industry considering that 1 out of every 20 online orders turns out to be fraudulent. It is estimated that this year more than 8 billion worth of fraud loss will be absorbed by online retailers. What’s the end result you’ll pay more for goods and services? Just like shoplifting, it affects everyone.

Lastly, even very secure sites can sell your information. It is part of their revenue generating model. A fresh name and email address can bring as much as $3.00 from those that buy “Cyber-Info”. There are a few scams that offer you free this or free that in order to get your financial (credit card) data as payment for shipping then sell this information for as much as $150.00 per “fresh victim”. (Your problems begin about 3-4 months later after you have forgotten about the freebie. Ever ordered something on the internet and then had your e-mail box fill up with unwanted offers? You will never experience this when you order from us. We do not sell your name and we do not sell your contact information. Never have, never will. Zero tolerance when it comes to privacy.

Rest assured that out there in the “cyber-jungle” there is one safe haven. Thank you for being our customers and we will continue to work hard to ensure the safety of your information, and to exceed your expectations.

Tax Rebate Scams – Are they phishing for YOU?

By now, we are all aware that none of us has unknown, rich relatives that die tragically overseas and leave us money. But the scammers are becoming more and more crafty. Now that our congress is contemplating a tax “rebate”, they are taking advantage of the opportunity.

Here are some new ways scammers are trying to get your information, and with it, your money.

Rebate Phone Call

The scammer calls you on the telephone and offers you a substantial rebate for filing your taxes early. The catch? You have to provide your bank account information so they can direct deposit. The reality? The IRS will not call to offer you anything. The only time you need to provide your banking information to them is on your annual income tax form (1040) if you want your refund direct deposited.

Refund e-Mail

The same thing, but by e-mail. You have to click on a link to fill out the refund/rebate form. The catch? Again, you provide personal and banking information. The reality? The IRS will not contact you by e-mail to offer you money.

Audit e-Mail

This one is brand-new. You are sent an e-mail informing you that you are being audited. This one is addressed to you personally. The catch? You are required to give them your personal information. The reality? The IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails of any kind. Besides, audits are bad enough without being told via e-mail. Even the IRS isn’t that cruel.

Changes to tax law e-Mail

This bogus e-mail is addressed to businesses, accountants and "Treasury" managers. It instructs them to download information on tax law changes by clicking on a series of links to publications on businesses, estate taxes, excise taxes, exempt organizations and IRAs and other retirement plans. The Catch? Clicking on and especially downloading these files can give scammers full access to your computer. This action can also download mal-ware that can destroy your information and/or your hard drive. The reality? All IRS web page addresses begin with http://www.irs.gov/ , if the link does not begin exactly this way, don’t follow it, delete the e-mail.

Paper Check Phone Call

In this scam, you get a call from the IRS claiming that you didn’t cash last year’s refund check, or it doesn’t show that the direct transfer was made to your account. The catch? By now you know that they need your banking information to verify. The reality? Honestly, the IRS couldn’t care less if you ever cash the check. They don’t keep track, and they don’t need your banking information after you file your return.

Sound familiar?

Forward these e-mails straight to: phishing@irs.gov, using instructions contained in an article on IRS.gov titled "How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes." Following the instructions will help the IRS track the suspicious e-mail to its origins and shut down the scam. Find the article by visiting IRS.gov and entering the words "suspicious e-mails" into the search box in the upper right corner of the front page.

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Shirley Roosevelt
Information in this blog obtained in part from http://www.businessknowhow.com/