John,
Maybe I got ripped off, because I spent well over $100 for my Canon,
(although I shopped pretty extensively for this printer online and found the
lowest price), but it does have a separate cartridge for each color.

I guess we 'crossed in the mail'.  This morning, I posted approximately the
same thing you said, but it hasn't been 'aired' yet.
Carol Hanson


> Carol,
>
> Big business (i.e., the printer companies) in it's infinite wisdom $$$ has
> decided to make printers that won't function unless you have both the B&W
> and color cartridges filled with ink in fine working order. If either one
> is out the printer ceases to function. Yes it is a deceit and a rip off,
> but then if no one complains loud enough they win! The way to win this
> battle is to be informed before you buy. A few of the printers out there
> will function when one or more cartridges are empty. The best ink jet
> printers are the expensive ones that use separate cartridges for each
> color. They are more media cost effective. This is a "Polaroid" type
> product. You know, they give away the camera to sell the film - so it is
> with ink jet printers and cartridges. Do you think that you could buy a
> high quality ink jet for under $100.00 if they couldn't recoup the
> development and manufacturing costs by their ridiculous cartridge pricing?
>
> Good luck
>
> J. Dent
>
> At 09:07 AM 5/6/2004, you wrote:
> >Well, I've since found out that the colors are not empty like the program
is
> >telling me, they're just dried up.  But still,  I've replaced the black
ink
> >recently and it's just fine, so why won't it still print?  It used to be
> >that you could ignore the colors completely for years and the printer
would
> >still print in black.  Not so anymore.  If the printer senses that no
color
> >ink can come out of the sponges, (for whatever reason), it won't print at
> >all.  I personally think it's a scam to make us buy their color
cartridges,
> >which are expensive.  (Of course Canon cartridges are more expensive,
that's
> >part of the whole picture.)  They try to make us think we need to buy
their
> >brand, then they make the printer so it won't work without moist color
ink
> >in the machine, and that gives them a little regular income from us
through
> >constant cartridge purchasing.  I'm looking for a way around this,
because I
> >don't like to feel like I'm being herded into a scam situation. (Thanks
to
> >William for all his help.  I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but
believe
> >me, I will here shortly.  Obviously, what I have to print isn't urgent,
but
> >it's only a matter of time until it will be.)
> >Carol Hanson
> >
> >
> > > How did you run out of colors if you don't print in color at all? The
> >newer color inkjets are designed to run with full cartridges, and I don't
> >think there is a way around that since it could ruin the printer.  If you
> >don't use colors a cartridge ought to last a long time, and would overall
be
> >cheaper than messing with the printer and ruining it. Besides, you can
> >either buy a refill kit or remanufactured cartridges, both of which are
way
> >cheaper than Canon stuff.  Check the Internet for compatible clones.
> > >
> >
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