Well I didn't buy it just recently. I got it two years ago but didn't have access to it (don't ask). And it was a promotional offer (about 20% cheaper), so it seemed like a good deal at that time. Initially I wanted to get the top-end Rigol, but the seller (US) refused to export to the EU - told me he was 'asked' by them not to ship it. The EU prices were considerably higher... the usual rip-off.
Again, if Lecroy don't fix this they can go to HELL as far as I'm concerned. I don't know if the low-end scopes of their competitors are any better (I do hope so), but you just don't do business like that. If a company chooses to misbehave like that, they surely won't see any business from me again. Ever. And if they desire my eternal wrath and seek a shitstorm, well... they can have it. Not that they will give a damn about it, but they can still have it.
Low-end devices naturally have 'weaker' specs, less bandwidth, less features, may be slower and so forth. That is to be expected and fully accepted. Cheap CPUs for example are slower - well known fact. Cheap digital cameras don't record HD videos, don't have image stabilizers, but still take decent images.
What is not to be expected are FRIGGIN' BUGS! Apparently unfixed for at least 2 years as it seems. They should change their name to bloody Microsoft...
/rant