I didn't like the overpriced faux Stanleys imported from Dubai, God knows where in the world they have been manufactured. I wouldn't be surprised if they were produced in China, they don't look good.
I've recently discovered a hardware store that sells old stuff, brand new old stuff. I purchased a decent number four smoothing plane that was made in Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall, it cost me the equivalent of 43 USD. We were both very happy, myself and the old guy who sold me the thing.
I honed the sole and the blade and I'm happy like a 10 year old, I've never got surfaces that smooth! It still needs some tweaking though!