Little defect in Epson 3880

[ehackett]

Sorry to bother you with this small matter, but could use a word of advice:  the paper exit door on my months-old 3880 will not remain closed.  Have others had this problem and come up with an easy fix?  (I am thinking about rigging a little Velcro closure.)  It seems more trouble than it's worth to call in a warranty repair, but I'd like advice about that, too.  Thanks, and I hope others benefit from the advice. 

Best wishes,

Ed

[AFairley]

If I were in your shoes, I likely would try to fix it myself.  If you go the warranty route, Epson will swap it out for a refurb, which could have had much heavier use.  However, for all I know, that might not be something significant to worry about.  Anyway, isn't the closing mechanism a magnetic catch?  Are both parts still on the printer?

[jrsforums]

I suggest you call support.

I had this problem on a 3800 and they sent out a kit to replace the parts.

[dgberg]

It is pretty much a standard push latch magnetic catch but it is on the cheapy side. Mine broke on my older 3800 and I just lived with it.
I think it is worth the call to support if they say they are sending you another exchange printer you will get a full set of inks with it.

[AFairley]

I think it is worth the call to support if they say they are sending you another exchange printer you will get a full set of inks with it.

Forgot that aspect of it.  You use your existing set to prime the replacement, then return them to the printer you're returning.  Voila, full carts in the primed replacement.  Just make sure the old carts you use to prime are more than 1/4 to 1/3 full or the prime will abort and you'll have to run the entire cycle again wasting a bunch of ink.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

On my 3800 the little plate that the magnet attaches to came off some 4 or 5 years ago. I cemented it back on with Super Glue and it has never failed since. That was much simple than dealing with Epson.

[ehackett]

Thanks for all the sound advice!  That is about the most pitiful little magnet I have ever seen.  For perhaps 25 cents they could have installed a somewhat larger and stronger one.  I will call Epson and hope they have a kit to send, otherwise I will try to put a bigger magnet in the little plastic square.  I am hesitant to "game" them on ink because this printer works well, and if they send a rebuild I cannot be certain it will be as good.  The disconnect, reconnect and shipping, coupled with the risk of a poorer machine, offsets (in my mind) the value of the ink.  Now, if my ink tanks were low.....

Thanks again to all for your advice, which I hope helps others with this nagging little problem.

Best wishes,

Ed

[AFairley]

I am hesitant to "game" them on ink because this printer works well, and if they send a rebuild I cannot be certain it will be as good.

I did have this problem with a consumer printer they exhanged under warranty, hopefully the QC on the semi-pro line is better, but I think your caution is warranted.