Absolutely right, Johnwash! There is something else, too: I am able to use a quality 3rd party ink, because the printer does not detect that things are not "genuine", i.e. not part of the "rip-off". There is a reason for this. When purchasing I make sure that the current firmware will allow non-OEM. Then, when setting up the printer I refuse it permission to "phone home" automatically to "upgrade" the firmware. Usually ths means that they have found out that somebody has found a way around their system and this new "patch" will prevent the user from circumventing what the manufacturer wants.
Check what is available for refilling. The two big boys can be refilled (subject to provisos above) but a third does not; you may buy only "rebuilt" cartridges. The reason is that this manufacturer simply creates an ink system. The engine is from one of the other two, usually Canon.
So, do your research; or, if you have a particular machine/job in mind, do ask. One of us may have done the research already - or know somebody who has!