My HP photo printer works well in quality. The trick is using the right photo paper and ink. I'm telling you I can't tell the difference. The problem with printing your own photos is the cost. The ink and paper isn't cheap. To make matters worse for me is my kids. They'll be on and all of the sudden....
"look, a horsey!" Print! "A butterfly!!" Print!
In a flash they've burned $40 worth of paper and ink.
It's nice to have the photo-edit ability and all the features associated with printing your own prints out though. Especially when you go to a pro and they only send you samples to chose from. If they don't throw a watermark on the prints I just scan and print out what I want.