Look, Epson builds the printers and probably takes a loss, and then makes the profit on the expensive inks. So you could save money and get an off-brand ink cartridge, but Epson's inks are better. So for client proofs and presentations, I usually stick with Epson inks. For personal projects (and the kids), I buy off-brand inks. These are bright, clear, stick to the paper evenly and smoothly, and don't fade.

I purchased an Epson 1280 printer back in 2002 and used it successfully to print many reproduction advertisements for historic transit vehicles. I was a devotee of third party ink and made many 11 x 21 and 11 x 28 prints. Unfortunately this original printer clogged one day and quit printing. It would still do everything except squirt ink. I purchased the syringe and fluid kit and tried all the recommended voodoo to no avail. So I gave up and purchased another printer and pledged to myself to use only the genuine Epson stuff. That said I have searched high and low and find that Amazon is the low price leader for replacement cartridges. I buy them here and have been very pleased with the price and the super saver shipping.

if you are buying ink for the epson 1270/80/90 or other printers that use the t009 cartridge, then you have made a good decision. off brand ink may or may not give you the colors you want. Plus, you will be spending time, plus the cost of the black ink and the photo paper, to figure out whether or not the off brand color ink was a bargain. life is too short to waste your time on this kind of experiment. bite the bullet and buy the real thing.

Unfortunately, I must have hit the wrong button and ordered the wrong color cartridge for my Epson printer. I needed a T008 and somehow ordered the T009. Then, I went and opened the box and product before realizing my mistake. Ouch! $25 down the drain and no working printer!!!

Although I suspected as much, when I received these cartridges they were some off-brand made in China. Everything in the listing said "Epson" and even showed Epson packaging (I saved the original page), so I thought maybe these were just grey market instead of being made for sale in the US. Some off-brands can really foul up a printer, and who knows about fading, etc., so I'm not about to use them. I've returned the items, so we'll see if I get a prompt refund.