Cheapest ink printer?

Yes - it is the same with our Canon. If you run out of magenta you have to replace it before you can print a black only document - that does drive me a little nuts. But - it does give me 2 warnings before it runs out completely. We still like our Canon despite that annoying feature.

Mine won't even let me scan an image if I'm out of ink!

I've just reordered a refill kit for my Samsung printer and the price seems to have dropped from £11 to £8! And that includes a chip to override the printer - when it says you can no longer print, but you know you can.