From one engineer to another , you do not sound very professional in that post.
Quality and specifications of components most certainly matter and as an engineer you should know that.
The difference between using cheapest carbon resistors one can find that may or may not be in tolerance even at 5% compared to using metal film 1% tolerance resistors from a reputable dealer/manufacturer is important.
Yes, all capacitor quality matters. Atari learned this with field change order 1A for the Atari 2600/2600A.
Why use a $0.25 regulator when for a bit more you could use an "A" series which has tighter tolerance on the output voltage. The whole reason for replacing it on the 2600 is because the stock regulator will heat up, especially with the added load from the longhorn mod, and effect the color output after a period of time.
Any old chip? There can be differences between revisions that can change the performance of the mod.
Not any "fool" can professionally mount the mod and harnesses in a clean professional way, unless your definition is something along the lines of hot snotting it wherever it is convenient.
What about wiring? Any old cheap cabling? What about proper shielding to ensure a clean signal especially with video signals?
Soldering quality is a big deal. Is both the through hole and SMD soldering done correctly and clean. How many mods have we seen that had the crappiest soldering without even minimal effort to clean up the excess flux?
$20 for 10 air shipped PCB in a market that is not high volume? Maybe if you are talking about an order much larger then 10 boards and are dividing out the cost.
I know, I know..All "marketing" talk right?
You did not "strike a nerve". This type of work is only one part of my business and not even a main part. I just cringe at some of the hack job mods/repairs I have seen and in some cases had to fix.
This did teach me one thing: Not to even bother. Don't worry, I wont bother you anymore with what you call "marketing terms", in the end none of this effects either of us. Enjoy whatever victory you think you have won.