Called Cobra Ink. They say they no longer sell High Temp Ink... now what?

it looks like Cobra has drastically changed their offerings.....On the website they only show 4 printers...none with high temp. And they state that they are not going to continue selling printers with CIS installed. They are going to sell just the CIS that you install on YOUR printer. They state this is so you can get the discounts at local stores and still be able to return in case of issues. Their CIS is supposedly easy to install. I notice on their site the only ICC profiles are for the 3000 and was posted in Jan 2014. I wonder if Sawgrass got to them on the high temp inks..Interesting to see what happens now

The CIs is really easy to install.

Would be surprised about sawgrass - doesn't the patent expire in a few months?

yes the patent does expire soon...but since Cobra has been touted at the go to place for high temp inks(sublimation)...wonder what they change...who knows?

charles95405 said:

it looks like Cobra has drastically changed their offerings.....On the website they only show 4 printers...none with high temp. And they state that they are not going to continue selling printers with CIS installed. They are going to sell just the CIS that you install on YOUR printer. They state this is so you can get the discounts at local stores and still be able to return in case of issues. Their CIS is supposedly easy to install. I notice on their site the only ICC profiles are for the 3000 and was posted in Jan 2014. I wonder if Sawgrass got to them on the high temp inks..Interesting to see what happens now

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Nothing has drastically changed, they only difference is that they don't pre install the CIS with a printer. Hardware and inks are the same. You are mistaken on the ICC profiles, not sure where you are looking but I see a lot of ICC's on the profile page, including high temp.

I think you are making too many presumptions, the decision to not bundle printers was a while back.

Archaga said:

Even though it seems people still use and recommend them, did they just stop selling them recently, or are they telling me they don't because I'm not "a customer." Because it's odd that they added a new high temp icc profile for their high temp ink just 2 months ago and now they don't sell it.

If they really no longer sell high temp inks. Who else can I go to? Wanted to go with the Epson Stylus Photo R3000. The prices on sawgrass inks are both murderous and would force me to buy an even smaller printer.

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You have to call and ask for Richard only.

I only made statements based on info on Cobra website. I would refer all who are interested to call Cobra. The only place to get straight info

charles95405 said:

I only made statements based on info on Cobra website. I would refer all who are interested to call Cobra. The only place to get straight info

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You mean you didn't wildly speculate about Sawgrass and mis-inform about the Cobra profiles?

No big deal really. But I do agree with you that all interested should call Cobra to get straight info.

I guess it won't hurt to call again on Monday and ask Richard what's going on. If not, Epson Artisan 1430 + Artainium will have to do as Plan B. How does it compare to the R3000? I might end up getting it even if I can get Cobra ink, as it's 2/5 the price and seems and to be popular around here.

Mike. In my original post I guess I left out a word or two. Should have said that only 2 new profiles for ICC profiles for high temp ink was in Jan 2014 see this link.
.:: Cobra Ink Systems::. This is where the term CIS began

charles95405 said:

Mike. In my original post I guess I left out a word or two. Should have said that only 2 new profiles for ICC profiles for high temp ink was in Jan 2014 see this link.
.:: Cobra Ink Systems::. This is where the term CIS began

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Yes, there you go.

But the fact there are only 2 profiles since Jan 2014 has no implications. If the profile is good for the ink it doesn't need to get updated. So the only need for new profiles are as new printers are supported or new models are released.

The lack of having many new profiles in 2014 means nothing in and of itself, you implied something was going there and if you insinuate the lack of brand new profiles as some evidence of Sawgrass actions ... it is simply not true.

What the hell. ..I give up pardon me. I will let the people be the judge . Some are supporters of Cobra others are not

charles95405 said:

What the hell. ..I give up pardon me. I will let the people be the judge . Some are supporters of Cobra others are not

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People should judge based on accurate information and actual customer experiences, not speculation.

I count 6 new profiles in 2014 so far, including 1 made for the Stylus Pro 7600 on 11th March.

Tried to call again today.
aaaaaand their phone lines are disconnected. >.>
The universe really doesn't want me buying affordable inks.

We tried to get high temp inks from them a while ago too, and were told that they can only sell that to existing customers now...we ended up finding a different supplier. I don't know why they are turning away customers, but it's not just you, they are turning others away too. It seems that if you haven't been buying it from them for a while, they won't let you go near it...

The "high temp inks" are available but are NOT on the site for obvious reasons. Any site selling "high temp inks" will tell anyone (for their benefit) that they DO NOT sell sublimation ink. There are too many spies out there from companies like SG that try and get passed the incognito barrier and bust the good guys.

You have to go straight to Rich and buy them straight from him. Now whether he will sell them to you as a first time customer, I'm not sure. But as a current customer, he did offer "high temp inks" to sell me recently.

So basically, if you're not "in-the-know" about this stuff, you will get dragged in circles. It's horrible that it has lead to us kind of needing to be in the "underground" loop of things to get affordable sub... I mean, "high temp inks".

So I'm in a Catch 22... :/, shame.

Nick, is your supplier in the States? Are they any good?

For the record I was a customer of Cobra. Still have the printer in my shop. Cost to ship both ways was more than the cost of another printer

Archaga said:

Tried to call again today.
aaaaaand their phone lines are disconnected. >.>
The universe really doesn't want me buying affordable inks.

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Not sure what number you are calling but I just spoke to them call 877-334-8465. Ask for Richard.