You can buy the whole Fox Farms series for under $100.00, so hopefully you're mistaken on the price at the hydro shop.

In my experience, Cha Ching has no visible effect on some strains. I've had the jar for a couple of years, and am using it once in a while so it doesn't go to waste...but it's definately not a regular part of my regular regimen.

FF works fine, but no nutrient package is perfect. I use the molasses as a carbo-load, calcium and magnesium source, and for it's micronutrients and iron. Since it's cheaper than carbo-load crap, CalMag Plus, Superthrive...I like it much better.