Craig , while i agree in theory , its really starting to sound like a winey long song and let me explane.
Private label in the world we live in was aprox 15 to 19% of the sales in its respective categories . Now its reaching 22% with a goal of 24 to 28 % .Every single company starts out with the benchmark as the target and in this case the bench mark is DA .
Many brands in mainstream retail look the same , work the same or almost work the same at a lower cost .
You can get Tylenal with its multi million dollar ad program or its generic brand knock off , sure QC may me less on the generic but this is a practice that is done everyday in every major retailer with great names and great reputations.
Sam Walton built Walmart on USA made knock off under the Sams Choice label (this was before he went to China -for the record) .
Store brands under 90% of the marketing are designed to lure you into thinking there as good , better or they are the name brand . Why do you think private label evolved from black and white labels to "Controled brands" , it was one more step to sell you .
As a fact NItro planes imports the FMS line of ero warbirds under Airfield , I can buy direct in China under FMS , same exact plane .
I was buying DLE engines at 40% less direct then now having to buy thru Tower , same exact engine , I know this is not what you talking about but my overall point is name brands , look a likes ect are marketed all day long around you 365 days a year with the point of luring you into trying something cheaper that at time will deliver more or equal to the benchmark brand , its just business and guess what , they did not invent that in China , the concept was invented in the USA