This was just what we needed for our "restart in progress".
Over the years I've worked with some very good designers and design firms in more traditional settings to launch new products, companies, etc. Since I already had a sense of what I wanted to do, 99designs provided an interesting and low-pain way to see pitches from a wide variety of new designers.
While it was certainly more economical, perhaps just as important was that ability to gain a big shot of fresh new ideas.
I'm impressed, and definitely intend to be back!