I joined this hobby about 13-14 years ago. It is always amazing to me how far the quality and selection has come in that time. Now I will agree sometimes I get really frustrated at the quality of hardware specifically in some models. A good example is when I wanted to have a trainer setup for friends and family. I purchased a Tower Hobby's Trainer 40 MkII. Not a bad deal at $80. I am a firm believe in you get what you pay for so I was expecting a marginal airplane and that was fine. When I got the plane I was actually quite impressed with the build quality of the airframe. It was very solid and had some very suprising details already built in. Then I opened the hardware bag. All of it was garbage. I had to spend another $20 on hardware to get it flying. I took the stock stuff and threw it in the trash. I would have preferred the kit just came with no hardware. I guess that is my only real complaint. I know not all ARF's are like that as I have seen some nice hardware kits (Aeroworks). As far as big purchases go, I will say I am very happy with what I have to choose from, especially engines. I am a glow freek and I love my 4-strokes. There is not much to complain about in this hobby really. Some of the more frustrating stuff seems to not matter really when I am out there thrashing on one of my planes.