> trying to find then assess the quality of mid-level products People have done this work for you and the market is the indicator. The better item is the one t

> trying to find then assess the quality of mid-level products People have done this work for you and the market is the indicator. The better item is the one that depreciates less, with caveats. One strategy is to check ebay to see how close second-hand prices are to retail price. It doesn't work with everything -- electronics are especially bad with this indicator -- but pretty good for physical items.