You're right Graeme LIke Haynes manuals, Stanley tools ain't what they used to be. But for the sort of use they get put to at my house, the Stanley stuff is fine. I can neither afford nor justify Snap On. And if you saw the POS 3/8" set I currently have...
Conversely, my 1/2" is a Durabilt, bought nearly 20 years ago and in excellent condition. It has been a very good socket set. I think it cost me about $400, and I have never been able to fault it, other than that it contains 12 point sockets, and knowing what I know now, I'd only buy a 6 point set.