tinyE: I have the exact same problem!
Well kind of.
I actually have 8 laying around the house.
And it isn't printers, it's dead bodies.
I can see that, it probably costs more to put blood back into those.
Beelzebubb: Why is it cheaper to just buy a new printer set than buying an ink cart replacement. What the fuck is wrong with this world.
Corporate types were just neophytes until they learned how "recurring revenue" could make their business thrive and keep on growing. While companies with intangible goods like porn web sites were making revenue hand over fist (no pun intended), companies that made solid products with no chance of re-selling to the same customer had to come up with a way to "re-sell" something.
Gone are the days of buying a product that would last a lifetime, but more so a product which would need various pieces and parts replaced.
The printer companies came along too late to get into a viable paper-business, but they try. :)