Looking at the video linked in the article showing Epson waste ink pad replacement, it actually looks like a pretty simple process with a couple of screws. Much easier than Canon's procedure of disassembling the whole unit from the top down.
But if you add in even just 20 minutes of (messy) labour in the Epson scenario, that's where the cost becomes more than replacing the unit.
It's unfortunate, but at least they don't do what HP does with their inkjets... if we're accusing anyone of malice when it comes to inkjets, it should definitely be HP.
