It wouldn't make a difference to me - but as someone else said - if you are buying the product at BRS or other retailers - there is no mention of this 'fee'. I think thats a slight issue. I dont think its a crime - but its 'odd'. Before I forked out 599 on a product I would probably go to their site - but its also not exactly quoted as 'price is 599 with a reagent cost of xx and a maintenance cost of xxx' is it? its buried in the FAQ - now before you attack back - I was only trying to point out - that though not nefarious - if I went to BRS and searched for an alk monitor - and bought it - and then found out - I might be disappointed. So rather than you taking this as a slam at Neptune - maybe take as a comment to Neptune that maybe they should put this on the other internet sites selling the product - or at least a link to the FAQIt doesn't. If $50 is going to affect your buying decision, you can't afford it, plain and simple. Move on.