I personally enjoy the sticks when the moment arises. Some games need them PRECISION movements, like 3s and some crazy stuff in CvS2, like PTF, so you come to appreciate it. The buttons are VERY low to the ground and react quickly, which I don't know why it's cheap, unless your opponent doesn't have it. Then again, you're playing competitively so you've got to give yourself what edge you canHaving said this, I own a MAS stick, with HAPP parts. It's mostly about what you like and getting used to some new things like competition buttons without the curves going inside. If you play long enough on it, you'll get good on it
While on the subject, I do heavily recommend all people who are seriously going to get into 2D fighting to take a try at playing with sticks, and getting your own stick. It's simply better to use sticks than pads. I started out the other way around, but the more I play with mine, the more and more I enjoy it until I really don't want to play with pads unless absolutely necessary. Just do some research or ask here about what you should get, so you don't get ripped off