I bought a replacement $400 Canon printer recently. Same model, price is at least double what it was several years ago. The reason to buy the more expensive model is because there are readily available cheap third-party cartridges. A lot of the new cheaper models don't have that.
What I've read people write online is to ditch inkjets altogether and go with laser printer or use megatank printers. Don't know how better they are though.
