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Story: Gartner: Printer ink costs more than perfume

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This talk of ink prices reflecting r&d costs is rubbish . Whatever the r&d is supposed to have achieved , many consumers would happily go without it , and have the option of printing on the technology that was around 10 years ago , at those prices. I dont want 98% of the fancy nonsense that fills up a one gigabite driver for my current printer that cost less than one set set of its refills. I would be perfectly happy with the printing of the old machine I had, and should have gotten it serviced rather than replaced when it developed a small glitch after a long period of good service. What proportion of the r&d went to the development of the microchips and other gimmicks that prevent you from using cheap alternative inks ? Did consumers ask for this ? It seems apparent to me that printer manufacturers have a monopoly over the market , with seemingly no competition , and are effectively engaging in price fixing that doesnot reflect production costs. This would be counter to fair trade laws in most western countries, and some possible explanations are - that authorities dont care to do their job, or that significant players in those departments are getting their palms greased. Did you know about the latest model car by RIPOFF MOTORS INK. ? Has all mod cons goes like a rocket ( you do need a rocket to get you to the corner shop ) , is exuberantly luxurious and comes with umpteen give aways worth more than what you pay for it - the mere cost of a trolley full of groceries. It just needs a special oil to run - that will cost you $ 500 everytime you fill the tank up.

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