Learned this same lesson with cheap tools in general, the ones that have the one job of keeping you safe are the worst place to save money. A jack that fails just means you're out forty bucks, but a jack that fails while you're under the car means something way worse, and you can't really tell which one you got until it's already holding your weight. Spend the extra cash on the thing standing between you and the ground, every time.

That line about the eggs sliding off like nothing really hits home. I fought with a new Lodge for two years and blamed my stove, my oil, my technique, everything but the pan. Then I got a crusty old unmarked skillet at a yard sale for $8, did the same oven cleaner thing, and it cooked better after three coats than anything I ever bought new. That smooth machined surface is a big part of it, but I also think the old iron just holds heat more even once you get it going.