I called up Atlex - a superb source of paper and inks with some of the best prices out there - to get ink for my 7800. The reason I called was I couldn't find it on their web site. When I called they told me that in fact Epson yanked their distribution of the 7800 inks due to their low prices. So now that raises the question as to how far will Epson go to artificially maintain the price of their inks? Anyone shed any light on this? If it's true then I for one intend on sending Epson some "hot" letters.
Regards,
Jon
Try selling IPODs at cost as a loss leader and see how long you stay an authorized Apple reseller. This kind of price protection goes on all the time. Try Canon or HP? opps they protect their ink sales too. Guess you have to pay the Devil or go 3rd party ink.
Try IT Supplies, I used to go back and forth between Atlex and IT Supplies. Good company to work with. I have been noticing discounted ink prices are going away. With ink for my Canon printer (iPF5000) IT Supplies used to be the lowest price at $72 (with free shipping above $75) now they are at $75 like everybody else. Worth a try.
I know from a buyers perspective it doesn't seem to make sense, but if a manufacturer doesn't protect its pricing to some point and prevent individual retailers from using their products as a way to drive traffic by over discounting, the result can easily be an erosion of their distribution channel. Other retailers cannot match the price and may no longer be able to sell enough product to justify the inventory.
I've always found inkjetart.com had good prices and good service. Checking 220ml cartridges for a 4880 just now shows their price is quite a bit less than IT Supplies.
