Kings Cartridges & Printers

So, I walked all the way across town to Kings in search of a new ink cartridge because I had seen the previous Unilocal review about their discount voucher. Of course, because I was out of ink, I could not print out the voucher. I explained the paradoxical situation of needing to print out a voucher in order to buy ink when I needed to buy ink because I couldn’t print, and offered to show the clerk the voucher on my Blackberry. However, he refused to honor it; it had to be printed. I explained, calmly and politely, that I had made a point of choosing to shop there specifically because of the voucher and because I wanted to patronize a local, independent business, and that if they couldn’t honor the voucher, I would never patronize them again. I pointed out that they had a printer in the shop, and if they really wanted to keep my business, they could just print out the voucher for me. Still no dice. Instead, I was told, rather sanctimoniously, that I should have thought ahead and that next time it would serve me better to do so. They’re right — next time I will think ahead, and I will simply order ink cartridges online, which are cheaper anyway.
They’ve just lost my business permanently over 2 quid. It’s really not the amount that mattered to me but the willingness to value my business.

I’m all for independent stores, as I find that their specialist knowledge is generally more along the lines of being friendly and informative rather than rammed down your throat as can be the case when the word «commission» is passed around in bigger stores. But that said, Kings just didn’t strike me as being competitive on its offerings, save for ink cartridges. As Jack points out, with that online voucher, you’re likely to save on your alternative source of ink, but unless its ink you want (or some exceptionally rare paper) there’s not much to draw you in here.
Generally, I just use regular paper, and haven’t wanted to fork out on an expensive photo printer, so get mine developed down at Jessops, so the range of pricey parchment didn’t appeal. There are a couple of printers knocking about and all, and a selection of PC peripherals bolsters the stores range, but this kind of stuff is normally cheaper from other sources, and that is especially true here. Personally I won’t be heading back to King’s until my ink runs out.

Kings is a specialist shop selling printers, ink and paper. Indispensable for everyone who likes to take control of their own digital photography instead of entrusting it to some automated machine in boots or an internet mailing service which will inevitably provide you with unsatisfactory results.
It has a large selection of paper, from large packs of plain office paper to professional photo paper, whether you’re printing pages off the internet, flyers for your next gig, or a presentation for the job of a lifetime, the paper you need will be in here. Just don’t make the same mistake as me and try and buy laser printer paper for an Inkjet printer. It doesn’t work. The staff were eager to help and very informative.
Beyond your every printing need this shop will provide you with all types of blank CD and DVD. Check their website for a printable £2 off voucher on all ink cartridges!