I got mine last week, it is fantastic, I should have bought it before I got all these less expensive ones that drip glue all over. Just go for it you will not regret it.
No. We have our own one in regular use here at the lab and no problems at all. Also not from our customers. (Although we don´t sell it in the dozens) If your moms one has quit early it was probably a "Monday´s Product" (as we say in Germany) and should have gotten the money refunded or a working one in exchange.