The important thing to remember with vacuum sealers is that there are two types of bags, channel lock and standard 3 mil bags. Food Savers and most other consumer models will use channel lock, and they are heinously expensive. Commercial models use standard flat bags, which are drastically more affordable (about 1/5th of the price of channel lock bags, on average). Of course, the commercial models cost thousands of dollars, but there is one consumer model that uses 3 mil pouches.
http://www.dougcare.com/foodstorage/homeequip.htm#sinboI've had one of these, in regular use, for about six years now. We did have to replace the element last winter, but it comes with a spare and getting replacement parts is really easy. My husband cuts meat and makes sausage as a hobby/side business, and we package everything we produce this way, unless someone really wants freezer paper. If you're going to get a vacuum sealer, IMHO, this one is the only way to go.