I also use a Chi. I have had mine for umm going on 6 years now probably... And the plates are just starting to pop out. So I would have to say that it has been worth the $100+ that I spent on it. I have also been using my curling iron(small one) to straighten my hair. This way you can make it straight, but prevent that flat, pasted to the head look. The curling iron was definitaly cheaper then the straightner, but I know it depends on how unstraight your hair is(mine is kind of like a hippie wave from the 70s if left to dry on it's own- so not curly)