So here's the final tally:

First basement guy's estimate: $2700 for the super-deluxe sump pump with alarm

Second basement guy's estimate: $750 for a regular sump pump and alarm

Our personal plumber's estimate: $480 for a sump pump and alarm

At that point, I asked our plumber to recommend a sump pump. He said go with Zoeller. I ordered one on Amazon.com for $131 plus $15 for an alarm and installed the thing myself yesterday.

Total cost, including about $4.00 for some replacement PVC piping: about $150.

I'm happy.

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.