HP on Thursday launched a subscription service that rents a printer to people, allocates them a specific number of printed pages and sends them ink on a monthly basis. HP positions its service as a way to simplify printing for homes and small businesses, but the deal also comes with monitoring and a years-long commitment.
A plan that includes an HP Envy printer (the current model is the 6020e) and 20 pages of printing is $6.99 per month. The most expensive plan includes HP OfficeJet Pro rental and 700 pages for $35.99 per month.
HP says it will offer ink delivery to subscribers if they run low on ink, as well as 24/7 support via phone or chat (although it’s questionable how much you’ll rely on HP support). Support does not include on-site or off-site repair or parts replacement. Not surprisingly, the subscription’s terms of service (TOS) note that the service doesn’t cover damage or malfunction caused by “the use of non-HP media supplies and other products” or if you use the printer more than your plan requires.
HP is paying attention
HP calls it “All-In-Plan”; if you subscribe, the tech company will be fully involved in your printing activities.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the subscription plan is that it requires subscribers to keep the printer connected to the Internet. Generally speaking, some users avoid connecting printers to the Internet because the device does not require network access to function properly.
Web connections may also cause users to worry about security or firmware updates released by HP that prevent the printer from functioning with non-HP ink.
But HP mandates an internet connection through its terms of service, which also states that if your printer isn’t online, HP may interrupt service and continue to charge you.
HP says it enforces constant connectivity so the company can monitor things meaningful for the subscription, such as cartridge status, page count, and “protect against unauthorized use of your account.” However, HP will also remotely monitor the types of documents printed (such as PDF or JPEG), the devices and software used to initiate print jobs, “peripherals” and any other “metrics” that HP deems relevant and decides to add to its subscriptions. Remote monitoring.
The All-In Plan privacy policy also states that HP may “transfer information about you to advertising partners” so that they can “recognize your device,” deliver targeted advertising, and potentially “transfer information about you combined with information from other companies.” “Data Sharing Cooperative” in which HP participates. The policy says users can choose not to share personal data.
The overall plan TOS content is as follows:
two year commitment
In January, HP CEO Enrique Lores declared that HP’s “long-term goal is to make printing a subscription.” All-In-Plan is HP’s latest attempt to do just that, hoping that people will believe that a subscription service will make things easier. By charging high cancellation fees, HP hopes to lock subscribers in for two years.
HP will charge subscribers up to $270 plus tax (amount can be reduced to a minimum of $60, depending on the printer rented and the length of the subscription) if they cancel before the subscription end date. After two years, if the user returns the rental printer and ink cartridges within 10 days of canceling the subscription, there will be no cancellation fee. Through these strategies, HP is creating the same type of subscription dependence that makes companies like phone carriers rich while limiting customers’ choices.