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However, I'm now going to start investigating aftermarket refill kits instead of ponying up for the Canon ones.

Are the print heads inside the cartridge or part of the printer in your Canon? HP ones have them inside the cartridge which is why they're more expensive whilst Epson have them as part of the printer itself. My friends with Epson printers have had huge problems with the heads clogging up and the only solution is to buy a new printer.