Compared to tires or rims a brooks is dirt cheap. I was on a $95 Specialized (the peen hole one) for yrs, not realizing that it was not normal to stop every 3-5km and hop off the bike in searing As* pain. Thought it was me getting older- 37.
Then I started reading and found out this is not normal, that people ride for 24 hours almost straight.

So I ponied up and bought a brooks flyer for $150 bucks- now I can ride as long as I want/can no searing a*s pain.

My tires are 50 bucks each and I have gotten flats, I think the brooks should last longer than tires.

BTW: I almost think the flyer is total overkill and that the regular saddle would be fine, mind you I have never smiled as much going over bumps.

Worst case scenario, you loose 20-30 bucks if the store won't return it and you sell it on craigslist in under an hour.