Check other sources. Find the price on the HP web site - that should give you the list price, with no discounts. You can start from there to see if you're getting a good deal. Also check the Big Box stores on line. I like my Canon Maxify MB2030, which cost $150 several years ago. It has 4 cartridges, prints double-sided and has a built-in scanner. From Staples

Amazon does that. And other tricks.

To explain more, Amazon prices are not set. They really fluctuate, even when you are dealing directly with Amazon (and how do you know that) or with one of the many other sellers that show up on Amazon. Another trick: A offers a small percentage to the people who run sites that link to A from another site. I follow a not-for-profit hobby site and the guy who runs it gets a few cents if you click thru from his site. But the price of the item if you go to it without the link is less, Yes, a small amount does go to the site, but you're paying it.

I miss the time when you could put something in your cart, leave the web site and get an email enticing you with an offer of an extra amount taken off the purchase price. Darn algorithms!

I support the local store when possible, even if it is a large chain.

I buy electronic products by price, availability of what I want and, when not needed "right now", speed of delivery. I'll check online sellers Amazon, Walmart, NewEgg, and Best Buy. Very rarely, Office Depot/Max. If the price is the same, then it's how quickly I can have it in hand.

I live in an inhabited area with lots and lots of available shopping and honestly see no reason to support local stores. Local stores of all types have been steadily going away (and few remain) because of an inability to compete with the bigger guys in terms of price and diverse product availability. Other than brick and mortar bookstores, I don't miss any of them.

I include in my "local stores" list chains such as Staples because at least they hire local people and (usually) I can get some somewhat informative information.

I bought an Epson eco tank 2850 last week at the local Office Depot for $299. That was the same as Amazon but I wanted to see it before buying. I received an email from Amazon yesterday showing $356, plus $19.99 shipping as now being the best price for this printer.

It should fit my needs just fine as often as I print. I had problems with the ink drying out with my HP cartridges.

Hope that works well for you. I think that's what I'll get, as well.

That is why we switched to laser. We were not printing as much because husbsnd retired and ink was sitting around. When I do have to print a lot amazed at how fast laser is and no waiting for it to flip pages for the ink to dry. Love my Amazon prime now so spoiled with the free shipping and getting it in 2 days or less. Only buy toner twice a year if that.

"I include in my "local stores" list chains such as Staples because at least they hire local people"

It probably varies from place to place, mtvhike, but I'm not sure that the presence of whatever kind of retail stores with minimum wage jobs does anyone or any community any favors from an employment opportunity perspective.

Some people do a lot of color printing and some do little or none. This Epson with refillable reservoirs seems like an interesting wrinkle to consider, though with the razor and razor blade business model of color printers, you can expect to pay more either for the hardware or for the supplies. Less for one means more for the other.

I don't do much color printing and I'm happy with two $100 laser printers, one a Brother and one a Canon. When I need something printed in color, there are plenty of retail stores that offer that service. inexpensively.