Jim / Greg
I think you're right. There is a learning curve to getting to grips with a 3D printer - just as there is with any new tool, technique or bit of technology. When I got my £80 printer someone said (might have been on this forum), that I was taking on a project rather than a new bit of kit. He was quite right. Although (probably by luck), my very first print was a success, I've had a series of failures and successes. Fortunately, I've had more successes than failures and I've found that, once a printer has been set up properly, it works well for ages before it needs tweaking again.
I don't think the quality of the filament makes an enormous difference. I tend to use inexpensive filament on both my printers and have had good results (and sometimes poor results) on both. The quality of output is generally better on the more expensive printer though, but that's because it has a rock-solid frame, whereas the cheap printer's frame still flexes despite everything I've done to try and steady it. Even a flex of 0.1mm can affect the quality of a print.
I'm always interested in trying something new - pushing the envelope. I'd rather keep testing myself than staying complacent. My modelling has always (and probably will always) be a bit hit and miss. But it doesn't stop me trying .....
Rik