On Amazon the HP DeskJet 2755e Wireless Color inkjet-printer, Print, scan, copy is $49.99
https://www.amazon.com/HP-DeskJet-2755e-Wireless-Printer/dp/B08XYP6BJV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T21534Q3R8L&keywords=hp+printer&qid=1706097659&sprefix=hp+printer%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1The hp individual refills, XL size, are
Black $28.92
Color $29.92
Total $58.84If you decided to buy the XL size individual refills at different times, just one purchase of each, you'd exceed the price of the printer by $8.85
The price of the non-XL size is less but it still creeps towards the price of the printer.
It makes me wonder what the actual cost of that printer is. There's way more technology, shipping, and assembly costs in that printer than a ink cartridge, plus it includes ink cartridges. But they sell it at just a little more than a black and a color refill.
My point is, I'm wondering if they could sell the printer at an even lower price, less than two XL carts. I'm wondering if they intentionally made the price just a bit more than the price of a black and color refill (XL), so people wouldn't just buy a new printer every time they need ink?