Ink cartridges

False Economy
As a general rule, generic cartridges or no-name cartridges are actually NOT economical overall. They might cost initially 25-60% less (e.g. Carrott brand), but they deliver poorly in quality and quantity. They cause you to HAVE to run the cleaning cycle far more, have FAR more impurities and clog your printer quicker. The amount you initially save up front is eaten up quickly over the time you use it up.

Every time you run the clean cycle, the money you HAD saved is lost. Also, over the time of printer ownership, all these clogs can ruin the printhead and prematurely wear it out (Epson particularly as the print head is not cost effective to replace).

If you have any doubt about the validity of what I'm saying (prof. photog., former desktop publisher and engineer), look up the article in Sept. 2005 Consumer Reports article about ink-jet cartridges which will explain this whole issue well.

About.com link to article on inkjet cartridges:

http://printscan.about.com/b/a/194435.htm
Hyperink to CR article:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/printers/offbrand-ink-cartridges-905/overview/index.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=cartridges

Ink cartridges
The ones I get from Inkgrabber are Canon cartridges.

not much savings even for Name Brand
Well, that sheds a slightly different light on matters, but ...

Please pardon me for appearing to be nit-picky:

Are these discounted cartridges made by Canon for Canon model printers or generic cartridges that will work with Canon model printers?

If they're made by Canon for Canon models, then it's been my experience that you might save 10% over the cost at a local chain store such as Office Max or Staples. that of course would not include the State Sales Tax and Shipping costs to get the product to your door.

My Epson printer carts are about $30 locally. When purchased online with site like InkGrabber, I save about $2 per cartridge -- not worth the time and effort. Then there's the mailing list and increases in spam I often get.

Or they are refilled.

Ink cartridges
The ones I get are made by Canon specifically for Canon printers. I wait until a sale comes along, and take advantage of that. I can't say how much I save exactly, but with no taxes, and sometimes free shipping, it seems worthwhile to me.

I could order from Staples, but then there's the tax, as well as a definitely higher price. Of course, Staples would have free delivery - it doesn't take many cartridges to get the advantage of their free delivery. But a $5 or $10 saving on a shipment never hurts...

Any amount of savings on anything you already buy never hurts!

Ink cartridges
My printer requires 5 cartridges, so a refill with the $2 saving you mention would come to $10 right there. And if, for convenience, you order more than one set, well, Ragman, you've got a tidy advantage right there, if you hit a shipping-free sale.