I went the other direction this time when I bought a new 12" non-stick pan. I bought this one for $27 instead of spending over $150 again on a big name non-stick pan. I threw away the most expensive 12" skillet I've ever owned when this one arrived. Granted, it was three years old and used it A LOT, but it was completely useless at the end. Should have lasted twice as long as it did, imo. I chose not to pursue a warranty claim in favor of just moving on to something else.
Amazon.com: Tramontina Professional Fry Pans (12-inch): Frying Pans Nonstick With Lids: Home & Kitchen
I decided to risk my $27 based on 20,000+ reviews on Amazon and a very comprehensive test I saw on Americas Test Kitchen or Food Network or some such thing and this pan wound up at or near the top in every criteria going up against all the big names. Not a great loss if it does not measure up as advertised. I've been using it regularly since October, and I have to say that it heats up and cooks better than any other non-stick pan that I've ever had, and it looks and feels like "commercial" quality like you would find in use in a professional kitchen. I mean it is truly impressive to me how well it cooks, and nothing sticks to it. I use it for frying eggs, sausage, bacon, mushrooms and stuff like that most of the time. Being 500 degree oven safe is not important to me as I would use cast iron for something in that hot of an oven. The only test left is time, and so far so good as I have used this pan to death and it looks like brand new on the inside. If this one holds up for more than a year, I will probably do like Hedgelj and start replacing my other aging non-stick pots and pans with these. I like where it's made, too.