Axiom #3: Higher prices does not necessarily equate to better tools.
I've encountered expensive, supposedly top-of-the-line tools that were actually inferior to less expensive versions.
Buying good quality, durable tools can be tricky. You need to understand the tool, what it's used for, and what makes the difference between quality and **** for that particular tool. For example, the jaws on most pliers should meet completely. However, depending on what the pliers are designed to do, there may be a gap in certain places along the jaws. (See picture of lineman's pliers in the Wikipedia link above.) Likewise, the cutters on some types of pliers, as well as some versions of any particular type, won't actually cut wires or do so in a ragged, unsuitable fashion.
(I dislike buying tools in plastic blister-packs because I can't get a feel for how well it works, how comfortable it feels, and so on.)
