Hot or NOT
Some price mistakes are so ridiculous, they're not even worth pursuing, especially when the item is overpriced. Take Amazon's pricing of the Epson Black Ink Cartridge for Stylus Photo R300/R300M/RX500 ( T048120 ) at an even $1,000,000! As if not including free shipping (they want $7.54 Standard or $9.98 for Expedited) wasn't bad enough, tax of $86,250.85 kills it!
UPDATE (10/30): There's now a new low price in town, $2,475.00, with the following comments: "Just a fraction of the price on the Amazon.com! If you live in New England, I'll deliver it to you personally!"
UPDATE (11/13): I'm not sure when, but the price finally went back to "normal" - it's now $14.99.
But what're really funny are the "reviews":
Spotlight Reviews
This item is great!, October 30, 2003
Reviewer: Phoebe Yang from La Jolla, CA USA
This item, although pricey, is worth much more than it costs. They're actually selling the machine that makes the cartridges, complete with materials. You can earn your money back and more by selling the ink cartridges =)
OMG, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Seattle, WA United States
Wouldn't have bought the printer if I know the ink is going to be so expensive. OTOH, I might just buy more printers, sell the ink and be a multi-millionare. Better than winning the lottery.
Customer Reviews
I could have bought this one, October 30, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Seattle, WA USA
If only this item qualified for SuperSaver shipping I would have bought it. Too bad, :( now I have to shop around for a better deal.
To the people who haven't figured it out why its so appropriately priced. This cartridge has the special ability to print all the secret service document. I think they forgot to mention that you need security clearance to add this item to your shopping cart. Don't worry if they don't catch you there they will catch you at the check out.
good business opportunity, October 30, 2003
Reviewer: Hitesh (see more about me) from Seattle, WA United States
I could probably start my own profitable business, if I start doing refills of these at half the prices....
Where are my angel investors....
Price is Right, October 30, 2003
Reviewer: conanj from Santa Monica, CA USA
I am getting 20 at least with my co-workers and friends.
too pricey, October 30, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Bay Area, CA
I'll give it one more star, if the price drops by couple of hundred thousand dollars.
But then the printers are so cheap (and you are not paying sales tax on this ink) that it may not be a bad deal at all
Great Ink, October 30, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Bay Area, CA United States
This is the same ink that the Treasury department uses. It's great stuff. Worth every penny.
Niiiice, This is why I use Laser Printers!, October 30, 2003
Reviewer: Adria Richards (see more about me) from Minneapolis, MN United States
$1,000,000 is outrageous!
I will use carbon copies instead.
Wonderful Ink - only no shipping, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: delphi00 from NY
At first, I was hesitant as to whether or not to buy it. But looking at all the reviews of other similar $1M dollar inks, I found out that, surprisingly, it had no competitors! No other company would sell ink of this high a quality! This ink was DEFINATELY worth my money...now the words I print look better than ever! I am definately coming back for more once I run out...
Give them the razor and make the money on the blades, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: neverstopdreaming from Denver, CO United States
Well Gilette had it right. The real money is in the ink!
what you forget, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: davesaudio (see more about me) from critterville
you have to remember that this cartridge will print
999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,003 1/2 pages
Best Ink Ever, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: Nikolas Moore from Huntingtown, MD United States
I would have to give this 5 stars because, with this ink I was able to print over 40 pages of text. I know it sounds to good to be trus but yes folks over 40 pages. This wasn't regular text either, in was Font size 12 Script text ad here is the sinker, it was BOLD type not regular text
Great Buy!, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Pittsburgh, PA
I would give 5 stars, but there was no free shipping for this baby :P
Adequate, I suppose, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from TX United States
At this price, I wish the cartridge would last a little longer. OTOH, the ink is REALLY a dark black. :-)
Long live AnandTech!
Worth the price!, October 29, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Seattle, WA United States
At $1,000,000.00, this ink is a steal! My photos have never looked so nice, and I've spent up to $50,000,000.00 on ink so that I don't have to get them professionally developed (too expensive to have the pros do it).