@DanRollman thanks for your post. Funny about "value shopper."
I find that if I put the initial capital up front, which gets me quality, timeless design, reliability, durability, and plain overall longevity (e.g., technology), I actually save money when amortized over the life-span of the product that I purchased and my initial capital...one of the many reasons is that I don't have to replace it due to malfunction, going out of fashion, nor premature wear and tear like other products that don't have the same build-quality, time-less design, reliability, durability, and plain overall longevity.
Many of my HAM acquaintances purchase "cheap" gear. Well, they end up purchasing more cheap gear to replace the premature damage or the gear just not working anymore or becoming technologically outdated.
All the money they spent on cheap gear, they could have gotten a Motorola XPR 7550e, which would last a life-time or close to it; and, it would still be technically relevant in the future years -- for example, the XTS 5000 series -- old gear, but built to last, and still technically relevant with several LE Agencies, Fire Departments, and Government Agencies.
Have you experienced the same with your Motorola?
Thanks for your comment -- I chuckled. ;-)