These are the best threads. Something I think is true is the headroom is closing for reasons already described the main one is today it doesn't cost much more to make good than junk and sometimes it cost more. There was a time I woudnt have believed it either but now we see the same product in different packaging with several different price points.
It used to be a huge quality and price difference in an adjustable, junk 3$ from India and now can find a well finished one at a flea for 5, kind of makes the cheaper one obsolete. Back then junk 3, good 25, now good 5 and brand 35.
This started to come to light when I really started looking. I was a super for a co and one day I buy a Proto for one of the trucks, the guy said,,, great,, but you could have got me a 10$ one too, I just needed a wrench. Back then all the import wasn't as good, NAPA was just carrying the new lines, now 25 yrs later they are still holding up and my ATD's no brand are actually my tool of choice vs the Proto or Diamond. Its hard to improve on something so basic but they did it.