My printer won't print anymore because of this error "ink pads are at the end of their service life". I washed and dried the ink pads, then ran an Epson utility that resets electronic counter
Epson Ink Pads Info - Epson America, Inc. (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/InkPadsForm.jsp) But after a couple of prints the error message returns and it won't print. I'm running CISS could this have anything to do with it? I noticed 3rd party companies sell software to reset the counters but I'm hesitant to pay for something that might not work. If only I could clear the electronic memory of the printer. where does it store this info? in the ink cartridge? The printer works fine otherwise, it would be a shame to have to throw it out because Epson has predetermined its obsolescence.

I ended up paying $9.99 to a third party utility to reset the ink waste counter.
Waste Ink Counter reset - Epson Service Adjustment Programs (http://www.2manuals.com/reset_wip.php)

On the one hand I was thrilled it worked and on the other I'm mad that Epson's own utility didn't work and that the design the printer to stop working after certain amount of prints.

It happened to me before. I ended up bought a brand new one at eBay at $39 (was very lucky) with local pick up too! with this price, the printer is literally disposable :)

Besides the cost, the thought of throwing out a perfectly good printer every couple of years is an environmental travesty.

Epson could have designed it with a waste bottle that you empty. I'm actually thinking of replacing the ink pads with a bottle. I've seen videos showing how to do it.