We love the Melting Pot...and not just b/c my son is a GM of one. Yes, it is expensive (even with son being GM...) but worth it once in a while. You can also get just "cheese and chocolate" (we add salads). We do not prefer the oil cooking method however one time my son shared some "inside info" that we tried and liked...they had a batter that you could dip food into and then fry...secret part was that they take broccoli and stick pieces of shredded cheese in between the floret head...then dip in batter...then fry. We were trying all kinds of stuff that way (still usually stay away from the oil cooking method though).
I feel that just like anything else, either you enjoy it or not.
P.S. I like my homemade cheese fondue better than the MP...shhh...don't tell my son!