I too once thought that extra money on a scope was throwing money away!
I put a Trashco World Class 3X9X40 on a new gun, it lasted a couple of years. Then luckily it literally fell apart on me at the range, not on a hunt! Trashco replaced it and the new one failed on a hunt, costing me a wounded and lost animal!
So, I "upgraded" to the Simmons Aetec. It lasted about 4 years, and failed during a hunt! Lucky again, it was not on a shot at a deer. But, I noticed something wrong so I setup a 100 yard range! The shots were almost 12" apart! Simmons finally sent me a new one. I did use it this year with good results, but it will be replaced before next season. I took the chance this year, but I'm not going to wait for this one to fail before I replace it!
I am looking at a Nikon Monarch, Burris Signature, and if I can swing it, a Ziess Conquest. I have an older Leupold Vari-X-II, it has been a good scope but, I don't like their cheaper new ones, and the higher end ones are over priced!
When you stop and think about it, yes, you do pay a certain amount for a name, but you are also paying for quality materials, quality control and craftsmanship! Buy a cheap scope and you will probably buy it twice! What have you saved?
I put lots of time, money, and sweat into hunting, so why risk a trophy or wounded animal on a cheap scope!?
No, I still don't think you need a 1000 dollar scope! But, how can you logically expect a 30 dollar scope to have the quality of a 500 dollar scope??? It ain't gonna happen!
The raw materials alone on a quality scope are worth far more than a 30-100 dollar scope, brand new, in the box!