One of the worst things about cheap fittings is the oring used in swivels. Must be made out of used chewing gum. When they dry out even a little they make a shower head leak. Solid fittings I'm not so scared of, or non swivel stuff.

Another trouble is "made in America" mostly means put in the box here, or a sticker put on it, or something like that. Made entirely of american components, and manufactured completely in th usa is a tough thing to find indeed.