Last winter I kept slipping on my front walkway and nearly broke my ankle carrying groceries. I saw this mat online and laughed at the price, but after a friend told me her dad swore by his I gave in. Honestly, after the first snow I just plugged it in and the ice melted away without any salt or shoveling. It paid for itself the first time I didn't have to chip ice at 6am. Has anyone else tried one of these or found a cheaper alternative that actually works?