Canon Pixma iP2600 InkJet Photo Printer

Canon has programmed this printer so that the cartridges "run out" quickly.  I use only black and white and somehow the color cartridges ran out.  I changed the black cartridge and it still would not work.  I called Canon and they had no idea what was wrong.  I later read on a forum to try replacing the color cartidge even though I never use color and sure enough it worked.  I later went back and programmed my printer prefrences (even though it was already print in grayscale only) to print with black cartidge only and months later it is telling me that my color cartidge is almost out.  The way that Canon can sell a $30 printer is ever 6 months weather or not you use it, you have to replace $30+ dollars of ink.