Bottom line: a Delta upgrade list is like a menu, not a mandate. In my experience, the Delta rain shower head and handheld combo is one upgrade that actually delivers. But the random add-ons—foil board, a wine glass, a crochet kit for beginners—those are just padding. Skip them.

I'm a procurement manager at a 40-person plumbing supply distributor. I've managed a product purchase budget of about $180,000 annually for six years, negotiated with 50+ vendors, and logged every order in our cost tracking system. I've read enough upgrade lists to know which line items are real and which are filler.

Here's something vendors won't tell you: the first quote is almost never the final price. They test whether you're paying attention. I once had a quote that was 15% lower than the competition—then I read the fine print. They added a foil board “for pipe insulation” at $35. Pipe insulation from a supply house cost $9. They added a branded wine glass for “customer appreciation,” and a starter crochet kit for beginners as a “courtesy item” I'd have to return or pay for if I didn't want it. None of those were requested. All of them were margin.

So when you're working through a Delta upgrade list, here's the process I use.

What actually earns a spot

First, look for the valve. If the list includes a Delta MultiChoice universal valve, that's a no-brainer. It lets you change the trim style later without touching the plumbing behind the wall. That's the kind of future-proofing that saves money over time, not just today.

Second, the Delta rain shower head and handheld combo. I'd spend my own budget on this. Having a fixed rain head plus a detachable handheld is honestly a game-changer for rinsing the shower walls, washing pets, or helping kids rinse off. Based on online retailer quotes from January 2025, most Delta combos run $80–$200 for the fixture itself, plus roughly $150–$300 if you need a plumber to swap the valve. Don't hold me to those exact numbers—prices vary by retailer and region—but that's the ballpark.

Third, check the warranty terms. Delta's warranty is strong, but “lifetime” doesn't always mean free labor. Ask for the full terms in writing before you approve the upgrade list.

How to audit the “extras”

This is where a cost controller earns their keep. Ask what's NOT included before you ask what's included. Per FTC advertising guidelines (ftc.gov), if a quote says “free installation,” it has to actually be free. Yet I've seen a “free setup” offer end up with $450 in hidden charges described as “minor customizations.” That's not a customization. That's a red flag.

FTC advertising guidelines require claims to be truthful and not misleading, substantiated with evidence, and clear about endorsements. (Source: FTC Business Guidance on Advertising)

Then go through every suggested add-on. If you see foil board, wine glasses, or crochet kits on a plumbing fixture upgrade list, that's not a thoughtful recommendation—that's a vendor clearing inventory. In Q2 2024, I compared eight vendors over three months using a total cost of ownership spreadsheet. The one with the lowest upfront quote was the most expensive by 17% once add-ons and fees were tallied. The foil board alone was marked up 290%.

What most people don't realize is that these extras disappear the moment you question them. I've literally watched a wine glass and a crochet kit vanish from a revised quote—no explanation, no pushback. They were never meant to be bought. They were meant to see if I was paying attention.

When the combo isn't worth it

To be fair, the Delta rain shower head and handheld combo isn't perfect for every situation. If you have low water pressure, the rain head can feel more like a drizzle than a shower. I'm not 100% sure of the exact threshold, but I've seen units under 45 psi struggle. You might need a pressure-boosting pump first—that's a separate line item, and worth paying for if needed.

And the foil board? It can be useful if you're actually insulating exposed pipes in an unheated garage. Just don't buy it from the fixture vendor at a 400% markup. A crochet kit for beginners could even be a thoughtful gift for a plumber who likes crafts. But it shouldn't be on the invoice unless you ordered it.

Bottom line: use the Delta upgrade list for what it is—a proposal, not a verdict. The rain shower head and handheld combo is legit. The wine glasses, foil boards, and starter crochet kits belong in your cart, not on your quote. And if a vendor won't itemize every line, that's the real deal-breaker.