Hi,
Depending on model of epson printer there is a continuous ink system for
most epson printers available, these are larger containers which feed
through to special cartridges these on ebay are not too expensive
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CISS-Continuou...QQcmdZViewItem

others are suitable for other models.
Most epson printers have built in life span, there is a chip inside which
remembers how much ink has been used, you can get software which resets this
chip quite easily heres a link to one place, again on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EPSON-PRINTER-...QQcmdZViewItem

However if you search google or ebay you will find other places which sell
it.
Also there is a reservoir which holds waste ink, when this full your
printers says (no more) this needs cleaning out, not too dificult a job,
(but a little messy)
Hope this helps
regards
Cineman


"MikeCT" wrote in message
...
I'm now on my second printer, the first, an Epson packed up for good
shortly after coming out of the guarantee period. After using up the
original ink cartridges supplied with the printer, I switched over to
compatible which might have had a lot to do with my printer's early
demise. Acting on advice, I again chose Epson for my second printer, this
time using genuine Epson cartridges. Now my second printer is nearing the
end of the guarantee year in February, what should I do? Keep buying
genuine ink cartridges until it too packs up, or start saving money buying
compatible cartridges in the hope that it prints on for a further year or
so?

MikeCT