Quality rodders are expensive. This rodder is neither quality, nor expensive, and thus fills an important niche.I usually take the approach of buy once cry once, but spending $1K+ for a rodder just isn't appealing to me at this time.While it is semi-cheaply made, it does the job. I've used it multiple times and the rod itself has not failed. It does have the 'runaway' tendency and the brake is poorly designed and does not work well, but overall this tool can be had comparatively cheaply and gets the job done.