topic Re: Walmart ink cartridges in Desktop Inkjet Printers

PIXMA TS3122 Black ink runs out after a week

sgraves86 — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:37:41 GMT

Hello Canon, so I am a broke medical student and have been studying for exams. I do not print a lot but it is always convenient to have printing capabilities at home. So about 1.5 weeks ago, I purchased black ink for my TS3122 and 2 days ago the ink is gone. This is the 2nd times this has happened as it happened to me back in March when ink lasted me about 2 weeks. Prior to these last two cartridges, my ink would last me for months. I had been trying to figure out what had changed and the only change I have noticed is Walmart no longer locking their printer ink up, meaning to make a purchase, you must get assistance from associates. Clearly, with this issue, it means either the ink is old, has been mishandled, or tampered with. I went back to Walmart about this and they told me I needed to contact Canon since there was nothing they could do. I held onto the box and receipt of the last cartridge but eventually trashed it, hoping this would not happen again but here we are.

Are you all able to assist me? I get it, it is only $20 but $20 worth of ink for 1 person - like me, typically lasts for months.

I will no longer purchase ink from Walmart.

Re: Walmart ink cartridges

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:10:25 GMT

Are you sure it was official Canon ink? Some third party packages look almost identical to OEM (which is their intent).

Do you see ink spilled inside the printer from perhaps a leaky cartridge?

This is a user forum. If you want to contact Canon to discuss with them call 1-800-OK-CANON.

Re: Walmart ink cartridges

DerrickL — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:53:40 GMT

I suspect that you purchased a very close look alike for 20 dollars. Walmart sells the regular 245 not xl black in the store for 24.96 dollars and the 246 color for 30.96 and a two pack 1 color, 1 black of xl ink for 77 dollars. Your best bet would have been to return the ink with a receipt back to Walmart for a refund. Walmart does not question why if you have the item and the receipt.

Re: Walmart ink cartridges

sgraves86 — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:31:36 GMT

Yes sir, I would hope Walmart isn’t passing along fake Canon ink cartridges. I have an engineering background and exhausted all equipment related issues. It’s the ink. I always inspect the cartridge. I won’t even buy ink if the box has even a tiny deformation. I was slightly on alert after the last issue, kind of forgot about it but my memory was soon refreshed when this newest ink was gone. I went back to Walmart with my receipt and box but told I needed to contact Canon. I asked for a manager and was given the same response.

Re: Walmart ink cartridges

sgraves86 — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:46:46 GMT

Hello, thanks for the response. As soon as I printed and seen lightened printouts, I immediately took the receipt, ink, and box back to Walmart. I was told to contact Canon by an associate and a manager. I plan to try another Walmart. As mentioned, I’m a medical student, $20 plus tax can be saved if we get the product we pay for. The convenience of printing at home is nice.

I really want to know what Canon’s thoughts are. As mentioned, the only thing that has changed is the ink is not on lockdown as it once was. We all know how Walmart is known for their legendary displays, accurate inventory count, and how associates delicately handling inventory. Add these delicate actions to public access to grab product and do what God knows what with it; it only sweetens the pot. I’ll start buying elsewhere as well or stop efforts of printing at home.

Re: Walmart ink cartridges

normadel — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:06:12 GMT

You missed the point of DerrickL's comment. There are aftermarket inks suppliers who make their packaging LOOK LIKE Canon's. That is not counterfeiting, and there's nothing illegal about it if it does not say CANON on the box. It is just deceptive to the un-careful consumer. Are you sure that what you bought was REALLY genuine Canon product?