Please start by reading the postings on thus site and and dpreview and the inkjet forum. you will find a list of reliable vendors, how-to-do and several videos. Everything you need or want to know has been published many many times.
I use the refillable system from inkjetcarts and their supplied inks. Identical carts are supplied by 2-3 other reliable vendors. Quality inks are supplied by 3-4 other vendors and you can select which you prefer. In addition Jon Cone supplies ink for B&W fine art and 'normal' color work.
Inkjetcarts will ship anywhere on this planet!
"So I've been looking at compatible options, cost-wise, but I'm wary of the quality and image reproduction compared to using Epson inks."
Problem gone now, my ink refill costs for the refillable carts are ~$9/80 ml refill in the US--shpg will increase your cost somewhat. Print quality is great, yes, I profile everything.
good luck irv weiner