I have been printing with my Epson 7600 since new, 6 plus years. I have had the great good fortune of never having a head clog that did not respond to one or two manual cleaning cycles. It continues to function flawlessly, currently printing greeting cards on matte paper, and art reproductions. It sets next to my Epson 10000 dye printer, which is seldom used because of the fugitive quality of dye ink, as beautiful as the prints look coming off the printer. That said, I couldn't pass up the deal on a new Canon printer.
I purchased a Canon iPF8300 from Lexjet on Dec 20. With the unit cost of $3299. plus $7.50 shipping and $50.00 liftgate charge the invoice total was $3356.50. Subtract the eventual $1000.00 rebate and the $300.00 AMEX card they were then offering, the total cost to me will be $2056.50, delivered. Too good to pass up. Included are a set of 330 ml inks. I don't think there was ever an extra set of ink offered with the 8300, unlike on the 6300 with the 90ml cartr
idges. A full set of 12 330ml inks at~$175 each comes to $2100.00. I figure that the hardware was free with the price of an ink set, after rebates. Like Gilette, Canon and Epson know the profit is not selling the razor, it comes from selling the blades. Sadly, the great deal ended on Dec 31, and my Lexjet rep says it will be unlikely we'll see those prices in the future. I'm not so sure, considering how much they like to sell their ink, but the price sure shot up this week.
Lexjet currently shows the 8300 at full retail:$5995, although ITSupplies is has it at $3899.00, and BH photo at around $4500. I'm not sure if the rebate has been extended.
My 8300 is expected to arrive around Jan 20, and I'll need to decide if I'll keep the 7600. The 10000 has to go to make room in the studio for the new Canon. Hello Craig's list.
