My wife and I moved into a home with a pre-existing rainsoft already installed that was working for almost two years before it needed maintenance. We researched other companies prices and decided to try for repairs on this machine. I watched the technician do the repairs and bring the system back to working condition. Compared to buying a new system from the start I guess you get what you pay for. Lets just say the machines aren't cheap but like a bmw an owner can't expect miracles without some investment. I just didn't want to spend any money than I had to but surprisingly its been almost another 3 years and its still working.