On Tuesday, I took a little trip to the SoDo area of Seattle to buy a used HP LaserJet 1100 at a great place called 3R Technology. I needed a new laser printer for the swim team, and with little budget and the constraint of having to connect it to an antiquated laptop loaded with Windows ME, I decided to go for a used printer. 3R Technology had posted the 1100 on craigslist.
Not only am I thrilled with getting a great deal on the printer ($15), I was really impressed by their entire business. 3R Technology provides technology recycling and remarketing services. Their primary focus is developing donation and reuse channels, and proper handling and recycling of computer equipment. I'm a big believer that, even with computers and peripherals, one ought to "use it up, wear it out." Why pay big bucks for a brand new printer when a used printer with plenty of life left will do the trick?
Plus, Andy was incredibly friendly and helpful. I'll definitely be doing business with them in the future (come to find out, even though the 1100 was originally supported on ME, HP no longer provides ME drivers...a good excuse to finally upgrade to a laptop running XP). If you are in the Seattle area, I highly recommend them.
