Anything to do with printers is a rip off especially the price of cartridges. I have used refillables and whilst that is a cheaper option the mess involved just isn't worth it similarly the eco tank printers. Lasers are cheaper in the long run but even the cartridges for those is a rip off. Once a printer starts doing what the OP's is doing it's time to bin it and Canons are not the best by a long way. having said that I have a HP wide format inkjet printer that I have had for about 3 years and it is still going strong. I have only ever used clone cartridges in that although I haven't updated the printer because I am told that the update will prevent me from using clones. I bought a new print head assembly when I bought the printer and haven't used it yet. Prior to that I had three Epsons wide formats two which were replaced under the guarantee and the third went outside of the guarantee and that's when I bought the HP Officejet. I also have a laser, a Xerox Phasor 6510. It's okay but it's a nightmare to print with as it doesn't seem to wake up easily when I send a print job to it especially if I send it via it's wireless connection. Cartridges are expensive but do last. Dread the day when I have to replace the drum or any of the innards though. It will be time for a new one then.
