Can't comment on English happenings, but I'm sure they are no different to Oz overall. There is now way, NO WAY, that you can print out photo quality prints for anything approaching the price of the big stores who offer the service. Going price here now is 45 cents (less than 20P) for a 6x4 photo from your digital image.
Save your money and get a printer that serves your basic needs. Personal lasers are becoming so cheap it's worthwhile having a cheap bubblejet for the kids assignments plus a bottom of the line laserjet for everything else that doesn't require colour. Works for me!