The inkjet cleaning is a drawback of inkjet technology itself, it does not like storage. I remember in the 90's the printers (at that time very expensive) didnt have any suh function and I really do remember the constant problems with clogged jets, once the printed was not used really daily. So I would be rather happy the automatic cleaning is there. But what still is problem, is the impossibility to replace the waste sponge on many of them.
But the fact is, except the printing head alone, inkjets are extremely simple and low tech machines, there is really nothing worth more than few 10s of dollars, even include all the profit margins of a consumer product distribution chain. The only really technically challenging part is the printing head (the bank of micro pumps and nozzles and the ink distribution from the reservoirs) and its matching with the ink fluid characteristics. But still $70 for few ml of ink is ridiculous and "locking" it by the chips isreally overboard (a knock off ink may give inferior print quality, but it is the customers business if he is satisfied with it for the price or if he uses genuine better quality, but more expensive ink).
With the lasers I observed the prices of genuine new cartridges (drum, toned fill, clean waste compartment in one assembly) did fell down to just very small bit above the prices of the refurbished ones (those are still cheaper, but it is like 30-50% not the tripple or more as it used to be), so the competition is working. I only hope the refurbishing companies wont cheap out (e.g. skip the cleaning,...) too much.
I agree. I have purchased refurb ink cartridges and have found most are equally as good as the name brand factory "style" ink. However, you might better find a seller that guarantees their product with free refunds/returns(including shipping) or you are risking a scam with inoperative cartridges and cheap low quality. IMO
