Thanks everyone for the great responses! I'm still completely torn, however. I really want to purchase the Canon iPF8300 but I won't qualify for any US rebates, unfortunately. In Canada, there still seems to be a market for used Epsons, so I won't be able to get even a used 9800 for much less than $2,000. Given that there is a local distributor selling new 9890 models for $3,500, it makes the most sense for me to buy new. But again, all of these reports of clogging and ink wastage (and the droves of Epson-turned-Canon converts) has me turned off of Epson.
Having said all that, someone brought up an excellent point between Canon and Epson. Yes, Canon doesn't seem to clog at all, but as I understand it, it is because of the design of the print heads (i.e. clogs do happen, but there is an intended compensation feature that allows these clogs to happen to a point when the head has to be replaced). Given that, is the ink wastage required to keep Epson heads operational a more significant cost? I don't know. I guess one most monitor operational costs after a set period of time (with both printers producing identical output in that time period).
I should probably bite the bullet, realize I'm never going to get a decent deal on the Canon here in Canada, and try my luck with the Epson 9890...