Epson cx9400fax won't see ink cartridges!

I have had this printer/copier/fax machine for about 3 months...and have been able to use it for only a few weeks. When an original color ink cartridge ran out, I tried to replace it with another and the machine won't recognize it. I kept getting a "Cannot recognize ink cartridges" message. I was not using generic or offbrand cartridges, but genuine Epson ones. I called the company, they sent new cartridges, no help...now going to return it.
The worst of it is that since it thinks it has no ink, it won't even let me fax out or scan to my computer! I don't get that at all since I don't want to use ink for those actions. When I try to do anything it says "Invalid operation."
I was looking forward to a trustworthy machine since I had read some good things about Epson, but have had the opposite experience. I would think this one is just a lemon except for the fact that it seems to be have a serious design flaw in that it won't let me do anything without it having ink (or thinking it has..) I will try a Canon machine next, as I have had good results with them before.