Actually, the difference is between paying for labor during the warranty period, or not. If you buy it, you *will* end up paying for warranty labor, one way or another. Sometimes the maker covers a little, but what they pay or do tends to be slow . . . as in, after the pool season is over!

Dealing with equipment warranties is a PAIN. If he buys the equipment, you should expect a one year warranty, parts and labor. If you buy the equipment, you can expect to wrangle with the mfg yourself, eventually get replacement parts -- AFTER THEY VERIFY THAT YOU DIDN'T CAUSE THE PROBLEM -- and to pay for most labor done, including 100% of the labor done by your installer. After all, it's not HIS fault that YOUR equipment (if you buy it) failed.

I hope that makes sense.