This machine has value beyond the cost. The last time we hired a carpet cleaning company, it ran us $400 with pre-treat and pet stains. The results weren't better than what I did in a couple of hours using Big Green. The secret is taking your time and making multiple passes especially vacuuming up the dirty water. We're money ahead and we can now clean again with only the cost of carpet cleaning solution, plus we can clean upholstered furniture too with the included attachments. We looked at cheaper models running $200 to $300 plus but they don't have the suction of Big Green nor the scrubbing action of the large brush roller. Roller assemblies on many of those other machines use regular steel and begin rusting with the very first use. They come with 2 years if you're lucky. Big Green has a 5 year warranty. You pay a little more up front but you get a better machine that will do a better job cleaning and last longer. THAT'S value.