Personally, to me, I'm not big on mail in warranty...I like face to face, so the Expert/BP/Other brand would win..quite honestly, I'd go buy a Kobalt or Harbor Freight set before buying the SK for that reason alone. If I buy a tool online, I view it as a disposable item. I don't typically buy anything that costs more then 50 bucks and view it as disposable.
I don't have the luxury of warranting a tool any other way than mail in. Last time I tried walking up to a Matco truck the guy told me he couldn't help me and walked away. So I never tried again. Nor did I buy Matco again. I'm not a mechanic so I can't blame him I guess, but it was a only 3/4 socket...
As for buying tools online, SK isn't sold many places, so what choice do I have?
That right there is a good reason to go with the SK...you got the need & justification, and its not like adding/changing stuff in a blow molded case is easy...
I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but there is nothing I hate more than that one (or 5) mismatched socket you had to replace that never stays in its proper location.
What it really comes down to, is how well the tools work. In this case how well the sockets grip or bite the bolt or nut. I like to see fresh, shiny metal after I remove the socket. No play, no rounding off, no worries of breaking it. I don't get that when I buy Harbor Freight. HF is good for hammers, dust masks, mini hook and pick sets, stuff that doesn't do anything. IMO