I like to be independent. And I like things on my own schedule. It's nice to go and have ice ready to go in a short time. I use lots of ice year round. I get tired of having to go the store every few days to pay frozen water that melts in my car. I live in the hot desert. Then have to separate said bag of ice as I'm limited in freezer space. So no more trays! I can have a supply of ice as needed in amounts I can store in freezer. No trip to store, time, gas etc. This machine is so nice to have. It saves time, money and expense of my car to go to the store. It can make ice as I do others things. Highly recommend it.