Barry, yeah the Avenger stands I got involved with were owned by a studio where I was shooting, and they were garbage. Plastic knobs, lightweight everything. Hopefully they've improved.
I still have Matthews C-stands I bought in the 1970's. I've since added some American arms to them. They're indestructable.
Any C-stand that's been in the same room as Bo Dereck has gotta be worth something, heheheh.