In general i very much agree...
IMO there are some note able exceptions, tho they are all older.
The original Simmons Aetecs were excellent scopes, as were the Whitetail Expeditions. Tascos Titans, custom shop, and theres one more model i cant remember off hand, were/are very good scopes.
Bushnells higher end models ARE excellent scopes, but generally Bushnell isnt considered one of the "cheap" cheap scopes, tho they do have them in their line.
Honestly the world of lower cost scopes is quite interesting, but there are way more pitfalls than windfall. For some applications there is NOTHING at the lower cost range that i would consider acceptable. For some applications nearly any scope will work.
What I like about them is finding the jewels in the rough. In that quest, Ive found a pile from most manufacturers that I wouldnt recommend, a few from each i would, and only a few brands that I avoid completely.
Barskas, and BSAs are on that list for me, most of the ones ive seen have been iffy to bad. Other folks have had great success with them, just as many have had poor success with some of the brands im pretty confident in.