@Ken: That's troubling news, but not entirely surprising. When I got into tying a little over a year ago, I looked around at the various inexpensive "starter" kits and their reviews. I wasn't impressed either. I ended up buying the tools, an old vise and a handful of basic materials piecemeal, shopping for deals here and there. Took about a month, but I managed to get together a "kit" that let me tie a Woolly Bugger, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Black Nosed Dace and ants. That, plus a book ran me around $125 if memory serves. I doubt a truly quality kit that a beginner could get any real use out of could cost any less.