I see Amazon sells the 3880 with the option of a Square Trade warranty to extend the warranty 2 years beyond the 1 year off Epson for $179 (They call it a 3 year warranty, but 1st year is for shipping I think since Epson covers it for the first year). I don't know if it covers the print head as they could maybe call it a normal wear item? I've seen 5 year offerings on the Canon's for less than 3 year Epson offering, so it might be telling the Canon printer is a little more robust?
Sadly, the 3880 does seem to be a throw-away printer once it acts up as the print head alone costs more than a rebated new one with ink. I suspect it may also have a shorter lifespan than the older 3800 too. Friend's 5 year old 3800 is still running, and my 3880 went to trash at 22 months and 1,300 prints. Maybe cheaper parts in the newer ones. I have two, and then things do run differently (Auto-power off in firmware of one, and other was always on.).
I'd like to go to the Canon ipf5100, but it is huge (wider!) compared to the 3880 and maybe twice the weight. The two heads are user replaceable though at $450 each. Needs two heads due to the 12 colors and no need to mix/waste the PK and MK black on a switch either as in the 3880. Don't know if the gamut is much different, although the Canon uses an extra blue and green (and something else?) ink.
SG