I do accept it. But in thirty odd years of working on stuff, common service items like plugs, filters, oil, gaskets, bearings, belts etc are simply not worth worrying about. I buy them when I need them from convenient suppliers who have them in stock. Always have. None of the five air filters I've fitted to my car have had any noticeable differences between each other or the (black and hairy) GM one that was on it when I bought the car. I took a chance on the pattern cam cover gaskets as they came in the head kit
But you frequently claim that pattern is always the way to go. Which is fine if that works for you.
The point we seem to disagree on is there are times that pattern isn't worth the effort/money/time. And thats they point we frequently seem to cross swords over. My point being, as a community, we have a wealth of knowledge specifically about this car about what works and whats not so good - be it pattern or GM.
Do you think my car has nothing but GM on it? Of course it doesn't.
Granted, I use GM often out of convenience if the price is right, and pattern is no better, as the dealer will deliver at a time convenient to me, and its always a genuine part. ECP etc will deliver at a random day a week or so later, and its been shown time and time again that a lot of the stuff isn't what it claims to be - only a month ago I was returning stuff because it clearly wasn't the branded part I'd ordered, despite want it said on the plain label attached to the sealed polythene bag it was in. Downside of living in the arse end of nowhere, everything not delivered is a 20+ mile round trip, thus adding £5-6 if its a special journey. I use Halfords, again for convenience - esp as there is one almost across the road from where I work.
Other factors and outlets are available, obviously, but similar applies with regards to convenience.