I've been looking for a printer too. You'll find a good review of HP and other printers
here.
It is the 952 that is usually $250, I believe. The 970 is usually $300 and the 990 is $400.
Currently at buy.com the 990 is $375 (a price that is hard to beat), the 970 is $265 (maybe $235 elsewhere), and the 952 is hard to get at less than $250.
The 970 does look like a steal, per CNET's Click the Button:
Store Price State Shipping
In Stock Last Updated
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Buy Info Compu America
More company info $235.00 CA 800-533-9005 Starts at $9.95 IN STOCK 1/9/2001
Buy Info Infinity Micro
More company info $235.00 CA 800-589-1234 3.75+ IN STOCK 1/9/2001
Buy Info LA Computer Center
More company info $235.00 CA 800-400-5886 8+ YES Ship the same day 1/9/2001
Buy Info California Computer Center
More company info $235.00 CA 800-727-2522 $4.59+ In stock 1/9/2001
Buy Info U-Save Gelt
More company info $235.00 NY 877-904-1999 9 PLUS YES 1/9/2001
Buy Info AllBusiness.com
More company info $238.95 CA 800-467-9866 9.95+ 5523 1/8/2001
Buy Info
Value, Selection, Satisfaction
More company info $264.99 CT 888-212-0837 12.20 YES 1/9/2001
Buy Info Solutions4SURE.com
More company info $264.99 CT 888-273-0544 12.20 YES 1/9/2001
Buy Info Page Computer
More company info $265.00 CA 888-557-2557 11.22 yes 1/9/2001
Buy Info
The Internet Superstore
More company info $266.95 CA 888-880-1030 13.95 Yes