For the first few years, the original non branded taps provided by the developer worked fine, then the leaking started. Like most people, we went to "ssc" to get replacements. After a few months, also started leaking, went back to them, they were nice enough to replace free but that did not last too, again the leaking started. It felt like we were going back n forth every 6 months or so.
Got too tired and invested in Grohe, for the last 7 years now, i don't recall any problems with it. Yes, i definitely agree with Shearer9 its "yi fen qian, yi fen huo". Hence, this time when we were renovating our new place, we decided in digging deep into our pockets and pay for the same quality stuff.
On the flipside, i've also have friends who were lucky enough with those el-cheapo stuff that lasted them forever without any problems.
If you are hardworking, go find a shop along Balestier that sells Hansgrohe cheap if you buy their packages (which is actually pasted on posters outside their shop). But i do find that if you buy individual items from them, they are about the same price range as those nice bathroom boutiques.