Here is a link to several previous discussions here about them.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: grafted tomato discussions

I love my grafted tomatoes, in fact they are the only ones I can plant in ground (as opposed to hydro or raised beds).

I graft my own using better boy as a rootstock. The main advantage I have seen is more prolific fruiting and overall disease resistance. There is some type of virus / bacteria in my soil that I couldnt kill with a steamer so I gave up until I learned to graft. I have about a 50% survival rate which I am pretty happy with.

If you were really interested, I would look into grafting for yourself. It doesnt take much effort and will dramatically improve the number of plants that prolifically fruit even under poor conditions.

I agree though that a $20 plant isnt worth it.

sierra_nevada, did you talk to your county's Cooperative Extension about identifying the soil problem? Some tomato varieties have been bred to deal with some of the soil problems.

We have the 2 gallon pots of grafted tomatoes here for $16.99, which I think is kind of dear. Perhaps in a few weeks they'll be reduced in price.

I wonder if the rootstock affects the flavour of the grafted tomato at all? And can you save seeds (or cuttings) for the grafted tomato if it's an heirloom...or will it become a Franken-mato?