Pretty sure he did.
I dont. I havent spent an arm and leg on my gear. Infact Ive probably spent maybe $4-500 on all of it between selling things off to make a profit and trading. Keep your eyes peeled and you can find high quality, used, and mint condition gear cheaper than you can get the garbage budget gear new.
AP is cheap garbage with crappy internals. Not exactly a class act example.
My entire system cost less than a grand. SS is consistently doing give aways on various forums for the price of shipping. Its not hard to win. Id rather wait around and win superior product and cover shipping than pay for an inferior product.