This combo smith machine is the cheapest on the market currently by over $1,000. Are there some places where they skimped on quality in order to mass-produce a cheaper product? Yes. That being said, it’s definitely worth the price you pay for it. It’s easy to use for people who are new to working out/weightlifting or those who work out alone (ie without a spotter). Between the the smith machine, the bench, and all the cable attachments, I’m able to get a full range workout without using any other equipment (this was important for me since my home gym is pretty small so not a lot of room for multiple items).Where it’s lacking in quality: (see photos for reference)- my BIGGEST pet peeve about this smith machine is that the bench it comes with doesn’t quite line up for all purposes because it’s too long/the feet get in the way. For example, I can’t use the bench with the backrest up to do smith machine shoulder presses because the bench is too long and hits the footrest for the cable row, therefore the bench will not line up correctly for this purpose **see pictures for reference** (I’ve tried facing it both ways with no luck). Essentially, the support feet could be streamlined in order to work better with the caged machine over all.- the smith machine barbell is a hollow tube with a second, core barbell that supports the weight. This is important for 2 reasons: 1) the barbell only weights about 15 lbs compared to a normal 45 lb Olympic bar, and 2) this has a lower weight rating than normal bars so be mindful of how much weight you use! It had a maximum of 300lbs added ie 150lbs on each side of the bar, which is plenty for me personally.- the weight clamps it comes with are absolute trash. I recommend just buying 1-2 good sets and throwing these away.- since it’s a combo machine, there are A LOT of pulleys. This gives you the maximum functionality out of one piece of equipment, but it’s at a cost. At attachment points where you are using more pulleys, it makes the load significantly easier to lift, therefore you will need to up your weight at certain places to compensate for the extra purchase power. Also, I’m 5’4” so the cables work relatively well for me, but there are times I have maxed out on cable length. I’ve been able to adjust, but a taller person might have restricted motion for certain movements because of the cable length.- a few pieces were missing during unboxing (contacted Marcy and they mailed them to me no problem within 2-3 days)- the decorative plates on the front of the uprights are riveted on and some of the rivets weren't tightened all the way- paint was already chipping/some rust showing when unboxed, specifically on the bench. This has gotten worse as moving the backrest up and down chips the paint easily. There are a few other places on the machine where I noticed similar chipping issues as well, all cosmetic.Things I recommend/things you will need to buy separately:- doesn’t come with weight plates!- new barbell clamps because the ones it comes with are trash- lubricant for the smith machine bars! It comes pre-lubed and works right out of the box, but after using it for over a month, I’ve noticed that it’s getting to where it needs to be re-lubed for optimal performance- barbell pad - I use this for squats and hip thrusts so I don’t give myself bruises with the bare barI really wish it came with a lat pull down bar. You can use the hand pulls with the top two pulleys for a similar affect, but I find this seems a bit too wide for me since I’m a shorter person.- lastly, if you prefer to have a free bar for squats or curls, etc. this machine has the rack for it but DOES NOT come with a bar, so you will need to buy one separately as well.All in all, I really like this product. It suits my current needs and fits my space well. I use it almost every day and am able to get all of my target muscle groups with just a few modifications.