Not certain I understand the comparison. For $380, I bought the stainless flowmaster kit. So for the extra $80 over your kit I have Flowmaster mufflers (that's a matter of taste, but I happen to like the sound), 409 stainless tubes and muffler cases (I'm making an assumption that yours is aluminized mild steel, but I could be wrong), and all of the bends are mandrel bent. Local shops use compression bends so the diameter of the tube gets compromised during bends so the exhaust breathes at the smallest diameter (depending on where the compression is because as the gas cools the diamater of the pipe can be reduced with no degredation in power). Most all systems are made from 16ga tubes, so that's a wash. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with your system, I'm just stating what I get with the extra money I paid (or in your mind wasted). Actually, the difference in cost is less than the difference between your mufflers and the Flowmasters (again, sound is a personal preference for each individual owner). Yes I have to bolt in the hangers into existing holes on the frame and body, but its a matter of 8 bolts.

All I am saying is keep an open mind. There are many different ways to accomplish something. I for one, like to do all my own work. (Turning wrenches and using a mig is not exactly brain surgery) Not everyone does, but I get a sense of satisfaction from it and a its a stress releif. Others would rather pay and not have the hassle. To each their own. But to say the diy systems are "POS garbae", please provide examples. If you know of issues with the kits myself and jshepard are using, I'm sure we would both like to know so we can understand. But just because you got something different (i.e. not a direct comparison) for less money, doesn't mean that everything you didn't buy is garbage.