Interesting:
Do you realise (even if I totally agree with you regarding a point that could be expressed in two sentences if not one: batteries and many other products are often made by few manufacturers and are then rebranded or even made specifically for a particular brand by a manufacturer that also produces "other brands".) that you are actually berating "others" (those not like you) while denouncing them for not being like you and berating others ;o)
Kind of a vicious circle, ain't it?
[Working part-time in a chain store may have provided you with some information but definitely do not suddenly make you an expert on any topic unless you actually research it and have real information (statistics) confirming what you have observed in a relatively small corner of the world.]
Now to somewhat balance this I have had non-photographic manufacturer's batteries that have failed (did not stand the charge very long after a short while, swelled to the point of not fitting into the camera anymore), maybe 10-20 % of the batteries I have used if not more but I have never had the "brand" ones do that.
Chance? Statistics (just a personal observation so from another small corner of the world)? in any case fact.

Sometimes I see a lot of meanness on this site. People without understanding the economies of other members, throw out recommendations about buying like they are the ultimate authority on a subject, or right out boast like they think others are stupid for not buying the best on the market. Some people skimp whenever they can due to their financial situation. Obviously, you can't buy a generic Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Olympus body so while someone may have funds for that, they may need to skimp elsewhere. Someone in another post actually said they would not buy a non-OEM battery because it might be made in a foreign country! Guess what -- your OEM batteries are made in a foreign country! Other answers berate members for buying 3rd party items like battery grips. Hey, maybe they don't need the grip that can fall off a 100 ft. cliff and survive, maybe they just like a grip that affords a better hold when using the camera in a vertical orientation. Someone else said they would only buy HP cartridges -- I have an answer for that -- professional equipment like printers using eight or more cartridges notwithstanding, if you own a printer that you paid a couple of hundred dollars for, you didn't buy a printer, you bought into a very expensive ink program. Those lower-priced printers are so cheap because when you buy one, HP, Canon, or any others the manufacturer has you by the balls! You will be paying through the nose for your ink. Epson, and now Canon and HP have printers that use tanks which are easy to fill and cost a fraction of what cartridges do. Another possibility is that when it comes to batteries who knows who makes them? There may only be two plants in Japan/China/Taiwan that make all of them and just put different names on them. Look at the round head flash from Neewer, Bolt, and Godox they are all the same unit, just a name change. When someone asks for advice, it would be nice to see people respond with their recommendations and not put others down for things like not using OEM equipment. I would bet 75% of people here who act like people are stupid for not spending the extra bucks for a Nikon/Canon/Sony battery, use a flash that is not OEM. I work part-time at Sam's Club and I've had people tell me they would only buy Everyready Batteries over the store brand. Guess what -- they are the same battery! They don't understand marketing -- they can't believe Everyready would sell us batteries that would undercut the name brand. I explain that most big retailers will have an inhouse brand and Eveyready knows if they don't sell us a generic, someone else would! This way they get all the business. Ever see two gas stations owned by the same company across the street from each other -- it's about limiting competition. While I understand some of the group has the money to buy top-drawer on all their equipment, I think putting others down (and that is what you are doing when you state I would only buy xxx) is insensitive and is an opinion you should keep to yourselves. When I was 15, I worked in a manufacturing jewelry shop. We sold Rolex watches both 14 kt. and gold plated. They looked identical so one day I asked Mr. Hays (the owner) why anyone would spend 1200 or more for a Rolex when they could have an identical watch in gold plate for a third of the price. I said no one would know the difference. Mr. Hays looked me in the eye and said, "Oh, but the owner would know". That has stuck with me for the last 58 years and I have tried to live life in a way so as not to flaunt what I have but to just respect my good fortune when something good comes my way. So UHHers, lighten up. Respect each other, give recommendations when asked, and don't come down on others for their choices. (If you are wondering about the cheap prices for Rolex Watches -- while I worked at the jewelry shop the US went off the gold standard. One day gold was 37.00 an ounce, the next day it was like 387.00 an ounce!)

I'm not sure why you're surprised. A Yashica Mat 124 is a classic camera. Remember, it went for $50 at a flea market. The great thing about Yashicas is that the film they take is about 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" (I may not have the measurements exactly correct), and the lenses are excellent. It has none of the electronic bells and whistles of today's cameras. It is totally manual and you adjust focus by eye. However, if you get everything right, including focus, the huge film format could give you some outstanding photos. I hesitate to even guess how many megapixels a modern camera would need to approximate the camera you think is a cheap piece of junk. Digital cameras with 2 1/4" sensors go for 40-50K. I still have my Yashica. If you can get a Yashica for fifty bucks as well as some film, buy it, take some photos and be totally blown away.

Yes there is another thing to get right with the Yashica: the exposure ;o) Now another issue today is that 3 processed rolls will cost you more than your camera, so just like a printer one should look at the usage costs. Finally medium format sensor (33 mm x 44 mm) of 50 Mp or even 100 Mp cameras are under 10k and can easily be found (50 Mp by Fuji or Hasselblad) used under $3000 nowadays there resolution at 50 Mp surpasses what a Yashica will produce (because now digital has exceeded film in many areas).

Yes! Same answer from me for both him and you. If you're "financially secure individual" both a Z9 and a genuine Rolex watch are affordable. Yeah the Z9 is $5500 but it's affordable if you have the money. $15,000 for a Rolex is quite affordable if you have the money. For a poor guy, even a $50 camera isn't affordable. That money is better spent on food or medicine. So it's not where. Just go to a Rolex dealer or Nikon dealer but if you're "financial secure individual" then it's affordable.
For me I am a "naysayer" so I won't buy either.
By the way I am sensitive but I do blowhard.