Thanks - I wasn't even considering the 2040 b/c of negative reviews. I did go and grab the v2240bs (black and SS so it won't yellow) for $88.16 ($93 something with tax, plus a longer drive than I anticipated). But I can always return it locally, and when we go winter-boot shopping for the kids at the big mall in the state we can get the v2244 if it's any better (for $8 less, or maybe even on sale then). Our WMs sell the bags and rolls, but I haven't seen the heat seal appliances there. But Ken posted a source for rolls on the old thread. The v2240bs might have been specifically for Target? Though the box doesn't mention the DVD that the website does, it does come with an 11" x 10' roll, 3 quart and 2 gallon bags. Appliance dimensions 16.25"x6.75"x4.25". CrushFree Seal, Hands-free operation. I can't find reviews on the 2244 that the Manchester store said they had *anywhere*. The item isn't even listed on Target or FS websites, so I don't know the features. But it's listed on Electronics Showplace as a Tilia, so maybe low-end model? Here is a link that might be useful: Target model I bought

I'll chime in as a devoted Foodsaver fan. Like morz8, I too think $100 is a bit rich for the 2nd hand unit offered. I'm with Dave regarding "can't imagine getting along without it". With all due respect to happyday, baggies vs. cost of Foodsaver bags is a matter of what you want to achieve with vacuum sealing, not the cost of associated bags. If you're just sealing stuff up for 3 months, baggies will do the trick. If you're like me and my signif other who freezes garden produce or bulk meat orders for 6 - 12+ months, you can not (repeat can not) beat the quality of food sealed in a foodsaver (or copy cat foodsaver bags) when you defrost it. It tastes like the day you sealed it a year or even two later. In fact, we're making blueberry and raspberry pie filling this weekend using fresh local fruit we sealed up and froze in 2009 (we need the freezer space). Just my humble opinion, Bill p.s. We need more freezer space because I'm a bonehead. My GF picked up a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving (we celebrate earlier in Canada). There was going to be 10 of us. I looked at the label and thought it was 4.? kilos (8 or 9 pounds). Thinking it wasn't big enough I went out and bought the smallest fresh turkey I could find to compliment it, 22 lbs. I got home with the monster bird and she pointed out the 4.? on the bird she bought was the price per pound, not the weight. Turned out it was a 15 pound bird. Long story short, we cooked both and vacuum sealed one for our Xmas feast. Using our Foodsaver, it'll be as fresh and moist as the day we cooked it. I got ribbed during Thanksgiving but I'll be a hero when it comes to preping Xmas dinner!

I love my foodsaver but I thought they were the cheap ones there are many different models Mine is a appox $70 dollar model it broke in the first month I repaired it myself because I wasn't going to pay shipping to send it back I wish I had a better model like Carols as mine does need time to cool down I buy bags in bulk on ebay and get them around 25 cents with shipping for quart bags

Linda, a foodsaver is one appliance I would not be without. I can buy tenderloins, shrimp, ground meats, etc, all on the "cheap" and not worry about freezer burn or icky flavors six months later. I have dinners ready after long days at work or when I am too tired to cook. My home grown produce is packed and ready to go. A double batch of something is no longer a leftover a month or two later. A freind has a baby or is ill and I can send dinner over in minutes. Why are some of you using paper towels for moist items? Freeze them first! Annie, return yours to Kohls, and grab one at Costco/Sams or at the FS site. I have known several people that bought the Kohls ones and they never worked. No clue why though. Make sure it has both the dry and moist setting for sealing. Moist does not squish the items as much. And our dinner tonight? A brochole that Annie made at my house at the end of February last year. I froze it first, vac'd it, defrosted it this morning, warmed it up and we had dinner with great memories attached. Thanks my friend.