The cheaper material was found to produce a weaker signal, and allowed a greater amount of cross-talk and signal noise. Also, the quality control measures used in the production of these cables is often a partial check of 1% to 5% of the actual production total. That leaves quite a wide margin for error and increases your chance of receiving a cable that will not work.

There is a trend among some builders and installers to use the "cheapest thing they can find" in an effort to save as much money as they can on the job, while bidding based on using a high quality material. Some people have the opinion that "a cable is a cable". Nothing could be further from the truth. The next time someone tries to sell you a cheap cable, ask them who makes the raw CAT5e material, and the RJ45 plugs. If they say: "They are produced offshore, there is no brand", it would be a good idea to look elsewhere else.

The bottom line is: You get what you pay for. You are not really saving any money if you have to buy it again later.

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