The dies are really expensive and you don't get much for variety. The Cricut is a much better value. I have both. I have been known to buy a die only to find out I have a similar one on my Cricut. I think Tim Holtz has a marketing staff of brilliant people (or Sizzix does). They always make dies dies look amazing on the packaging and then you get it home and it takes an hour to make it look half as good.