I replaced a Rock Chucker probably six or seven years ago. It was a toss-up between the Redding Big Boss II and the Lee Classic Cast. I bought the Classic Cast on the recommendation of a number of folks here who were happy with theirs. But when it arrived, it was rougher than hell when working the ram--so much so that I sent it back to Lee.
And that was when the problems started. I was told by a (young) Lee family member that there was nothing wrong with the ram and that the "roughness" wasn't rough and they couldn't hear or feel anything. It felt like 50 grit sandpaper rubbing every time you operated the ram. Long story short, I told Lee to keep the SOB and to keep my money and that I was done with them. A week later, they send the press back to me and they had smoothed out the ram. This was not a new/different press because I'd made some discreet etching marks on the base. They had re-machined the ram and openings. It is as smooth as smooth can be and I honestly don't have any complaints about it--but that back and forth experience infuriated me.
Well, I'd be curious to know what kind of computer you're typing on right now. I, as a cheapskate looking to buy the cheapest junk I can, am typing on a Macbook Pro Retina with all the horsepower Apple could build into this particular machine. Three iPads, along with two iPhones and a monster iMac G5 upstairs in our office rounds out the computer ensemble here in the house. More Apple products out in my reloading shop as well as in my airplane hangar.
Speaking of which. . . we're building a new airplane (RV9) and for the (instrument) panel, going all Garmin premium for both the MFD and GPS/coms. Could've gone with Dynon or another brand and saved some money, but I guess we just weren't feeling all that "cheapskate" looking to "buy junk made in China." In fact, we did the same thing for our Cessna and installed a completely refurbished Garmin 530W system. Could've been cheapskate and just used the least expensive handheld possible, but we take off and arrive in instrument conditions now and then and "cheapskate junk" wasn't/isn't approved for IFR.
I've got enough different colors of reloading brands and equipment on my bench and in my shop to make any gay pride rainbow logo proud. I see flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths and advantages in every piece of reloading equipment I own. I make my purchase decisions based upon the substance of my need versus the amount of value I wish to invest in against the job I'm asking the tool/equipment to do.
I don't consider that "cheapskate" but rather being fiscally intelligent.