All of the lower end/department store sealers work great for awhile. When they fail - you should simply not expect to be able to repair them. Just go buy another. There are no replacement parts or repairs available. There's just no margin for profit to repair them.
Not trying to place a judgment at all. That's just the nature of the beast. I researched all this thoroughly.
At a typical $99 you can get good service at a wide range of term depending on frequency of use. You may end up with 3 over that time or more, but why should you really care if they continue to be available? Just go get another if the one you has breaks.
Now - if you want to go to the dark side and come to the conclusion that rather than being frustrated by the mass market commodity style sealers you will need to spend more $$ up front for something that is repairable and will actually get down to the vac levels reaching 28 lbs of vacuum or more and actually hold the vacuum. The heavier duty units (semi commercial and up) do this reliably and without the need to hold any pressure on the bar. They typically have two pumps instead of one and have replaceable parts. They have faster cycle times as well.
They often have wider bag capacity as well (up to about 16"). It's kind of like the difference between a counter top KA mixer and and a light duty unit we talk about in other threads. I really looked at the opportunity to buy several lighter duty units over a 5 year period versus spending the money up front. We'll see in 5 years if that was really a good choice.
I can say this though. When I reach for the one I have which is not a pretty one that you would typically leave on a counter top - it works, period. Big bags 16" down to 6" wide. Custom bags in all widths/lengths. It just works. Don't have to fiddle, try several times, waste a few bags first, etc. Full size ham right into the bag (16" roll material) and done. Top tier of my daughters wedding cake - same thing. Seals jars, and all of the ordinary uses. Get it out seal up everything never having to wait for recycle time and put it away. Very efficient and reliable.
I think it's unfair to expect 5 years out of the lighter duty units let alone expecting to get repairs done. Just figure you'll buy several over a given period. If you are not using it frequently, don't even bother looking at the more expensive units.
I also have not heard any complaints or problems from the heavy duty foodsaver/tila unit I bought for my parents last December (see thread above). It's the FS dual pump unit. But again - that model was $300.
Too early to tell. We'll see what happens over the next 3-5 years.
