my new epson sucks!  

I would box it up and send it back, or take it back where I bought it and find another. I wonder if it is just something wrong with it.

Oops!

I have a 3300 Series Lamarck 3 in 1, and it works fantastic.
It was very reasonably priced (around $75.00 CAN), however I feel the ink is a bit too expensive ($28.00 CAN). Then again I suppose, most inks usually are. It's obvious that that's where these high-end quality printer companies, basically earn their money...on the prices of ink.

I don't really go through a lot of ink anyway, since I don't print that much stuff.
So, my ink lasts me a fairly long time.

I had a friend who owned an Epson, and like you, was none too pleased with the results it produced...traded it in for a Brother instead...and was happy he made that choice. Me, I've always liked Lexmarck for the simple reason that you only have to change one cartridge, unlike some others out there that require you to purchase a black as well as a color cartridge. That to me is just nuts.

If you're not getting the results you want, then I'd suggest you get something that will satisfy your purchase. Printers these days aren't that expensive, and if you look around at some of these shops like: Tech Source, or Tech Direct, you can pick up a good one, for practically next to nothing.

Good luck with it.
Cheers;
cdrxo