I don't think there is anything wrong with Benro's. I had one for years, and it worked well (continues to work well). Finally decided I wanted a taller tripod, and went with a new Really Right Stuff TCV-24L. After getting that, the Benro just seems so....inadequate. In reality, it works just fine.
The story goes that Gitzo was going to (or did) outsource their tripod manufacturing to China. The people they partnered with literally opened their own factory a couple of miles away and stole Gitzo's technology and manufacturing. I don't know if this story is true or not, but having lived and worked in China, I wouldn't be surprised. I bought my Benro while living in Beijing, bot 4 years or so of good use out of it, and now have it as a back up. Not bad for $300 or so.
Cheers,
Jeff