There are TONS of threads on the Go her on the forum.. Just search and you can see all the responses from the members...
that being said I am a GO owner.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine.. I love mine so much i have two.. I got mine when they first came out so Ive had mine for years and years.. I have almost all the dies.. the appliques are not my favs. but i do like the specialty dies : DWR, Drunkards Path, blazing star. Etc.....
Some will say the dies are expensive but quite honestly Ive had dies that i used more than others and they still are like new that Ive had for over 5 years... i ask for dies for dies for holidays, birthdays, moms day, valentines day.... Amazing how many one can accumulate that way !!
the Mats IMHO are disposable... I buy mats by the bulk.. I dont think they are expensive at all. I have to have a back up mat to the back up mat.. I will always have 3-4 of each size i use on hand... Once the grooves get too deep ill change the mat, HOWEVER if its a larger mat Ill use that USED mat for a smaller size die- the blades dont meet with the grooves.. and of need be ill cut down to size if they havent cracked... Buy the white mats the grey ones are crap.. ill get 4x more use with the white versus the grey...
Suggestions:
clean dies - remove threads
periodically wipe dies with a moist towel to keep them pliable
buy mats on sale even if you dont need them now- keep back up mats on hand..
dont use more than 2-3 layers on new dies until they are broken in
move mats over a smidge when running multiple times to keep from getting deep grooves
make sure the fabric placement isnt stretchy side going thru rollers
but mostly enjoy and have fun..
my fav dies
2x2
2.5x2.5
brick
large tumbler
ALL rags