I'm like you Dave,... had my Lee molds for a few years now and still working fine. I also heard from another reloader that if you let the last casting cool in the mold, it'll extend the mold life. I've been doing it for years now and mine work fine.
Alot of folks don't like the Lee gear simply because it's less expensive than RCBS, Redding or Lyman. I like it, it works for me.
Why change when it works? Just to spend 4 times as much?
If I was a high production operation, I can understand the pricey stuff, but I cast for me and my Dad, and soon, my son. Lee fits my budget and my needs.
To each his own.
When I grow up, I want to get some RCBS gear, but right now it ain't in the shooting budget.
Heck, I make alot of my gear, rather than buy.
I made a short starter by looking closely at the ones at BassPro. Mine cost $1, rather than the $14 they wanted.