“Service required. Parts inside your printer are near the end of their service life. See your documentation.”

Rohan’s Epson M105 had been a loyal workhorse. For two years, the monochrome ink tank printer had churned out assignment after assignment for his architecture school portfolio, hundreds of invoices for his freelancing gig, and even the occasional boarding pass. But one Tuesday evening, a flicker of amber light and a cold error message on his laptop screen brought that partnership to a halt.

Rohan ordered one from an online seller for ₹450. It arrived the next day—a green circuit board in an anti-static bag, with two clips and a small push button.