What I love about Houchin and Fisher's work, is they've chosen effects that are easy regarding method, so you can work on your performance. They blatatntly mention this on many of their products.
When I watch them, I try to reverse engineer thier performances from multiple angles and perspectives. I learn more about performing, audience control, effective scripting and patter, and character from thier DVD's than the effect itself.
If you can gain from the intangibles and nuances in watching the DVD, it is worth far more than $30.
After all, sure you can perform the mechanics of an effect, but if you're a crappy presenter, you'll get caught or just not get as strong a reaction as you could...
just my 2 kanucks...