They're not cheap but there are good alternatives, too, and either way they can replace a lot of appliances and I find we use ours a lot and it helps to make things that are otherwise quite a pain to do - the best thing is you can let it run and not worry about things like boiling over - very handy - and you can save money using more raw ingredients and the like.
"But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored and sorrows end."
I have the target cheaper version, the bellini, and it may not be as whiz bang but It does the job I want. Gone is the need to stand and stir a risotto , bung it all in and hey presto 20 mins later.