Rainsoft Maintenance contracts

Every year Rainsoft wants me to renew a maintenance contract. This year it is $251 every 6 months up $50 from last year. They scare you into this by saying if something goes wrong with your system, it will cost that for one visit to fix whatever is wrong. Meanwhile, salt is piled up in my garage and I don't even have them leave any now. They say I shouldn't have to replace any salt if I have them on contract. They will do it. I am paying $500 per year to service this system. Is there an alternative and still have a functioning system?