So wondering if anyone knows about this brand?
Looks like a Zhongdi ZD-912. Zhongdi does medium quality stuff, rebranded by many companies. If yours keeps breaking then, well, you got some sub-standard one.
and for $400 I thought it would have to be half decent..... right?
445 NZD is roughly 280 Euro. I am sorry to tell you but I think an ZD-912 (if you still get one, it is an older model) goes for 120 to 170 Euro. Its predecessor, the ZD-982, goes for a similar price.
I would recommend you try to get your money back from Jaycar.