> I am surprised that nobody pointed out the obvious : avoid items with the minimum legal manufacturer warranty.

I have to admit that particular strategy hadn't occurred to me - but it's a good idea. Of course, it has to be an actual part-of-the-standard-deal warranty, not the hard-sell extended warranty that's really just an add-on insurance policy...

(Wondering where I find a box of staples warranted to pierce more than five sheets...)