Which is cheaper: refill inks or compatibles?

Can someone tell me, which is cheaper: refill inks or compatibles?

I've become a fan of compatibles, they're dirt cheap (well compared to
the original manufacturer ones).
I've always been against using refills because opening them up is a
messy process.
(Well... at least this is what had in mind, having never actually had a
go at doing it!!)

So... which is cheaper?
Is there a difference in results?

And... I've read that an ink cartridge should only be used X amount of
times before being replaced with the genuine model.
Is this true?
Why?
Why would it not be a good idea to buy a compatible ink cartridge?

Thanks.


OM

.

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