I've gone through a lot of cookware in my life. Unless it's some odd-sized pan you aren't going to use much, it's a waste of money to buy the cheap stuff. It's actually more expensive in the long run, because you keep having to replace it.
My first good cookware was Le Creuset, and while it was good for slow cooking, it heated slowly and the saucepans and skillets stuck something awful, no matter how I tried to season and prepare them. They also weighed a TON!
But, when I burned one of the wooden handles on my gas range, I sent the pan into the company, and they sent me a brand new one.
When my husband bought me a complete set of Magna Lite cookware, rubber handles, pot-hanger and all, I thought he'd been way too extravagent. He said the cookware was guaranteed for 100 years. Unfortunately, the company that made that particular cookware went out of business, perhaps because they claimed their product was non-stick, which it is NOT! But after 19 years, every piece is still like new. I have a big soup kettle that is big enough to feed our whole village.
Then, DH started buying me Calphalon. He'd seen what Cook's Illustrated had to say about the cookware... second onlty to All-Clad, but still pretty durned good, and rated as "Best Buy".
We started with one $200 skillet, and kept adding until we have a great assortment. They are a bit heavy, but I love them. They really don't stick and have great heat distribution.
I do sear meats in them, and have no problem browning or caramelizing, so whomever says you can't hasn't tried it.
When the oldest, most used one started losing some of it's non-stick coating, we sent it back to the company. It took about 6 weeks, but they sent us a brand new one.
We also have one of the new type...can't remember what they call it. But it's a wonderful non-stick, light-weight Dutch oven.
I'd like to echo something Michael advised: Always read the instructions and take proper care of your appliance. You'd be surprised how many people will stick a metal fork in a non-stick pan.
By the way, I bought one of the best pots I ever had at a rummage sale for $2. That was over 30 years ago, and it was old then. And it's still in use...when I discovered my daughter didn't have a stock pot, I gave it to her.