Efficient free market economics requires something like perfect up-front information or zero switching cost to solve this. Those things are fictitious so, predictably, free market economics has not solved printer bullshit.

I’d like to see regulations addressing the up-front information aspect. If we require neon stickers for “needs account” “needs subscription” and “proprietary replacement parts” on all hardware products, people would be better able to dodge scams and cons like HP.