It can be down to desperation, times not been kind to all business and while not right and shouldn't be passed onto the next guy, some may not be able to afford to make that drop or wait for the Manufacturer to repair or replace stock, there will always be some though that yes are for a quick buck.
I think whats maybe best if someone knowledgeable i.e not me is up for it is to make a stickyed guide on what to look for to spot a good un from a bad un then we can try and learn, support the good guys and keep our minds at ease when buying a new one for the collection.