Quik Lok A-50AM Microphone Stand

These used to be such good stands, back in the days when they were made in Italy. We owned a bunch of them, and they were workhorses. Now, the quality control is totally gone and you're lucky to get one that works. (Really!) We bought a few and cobbled together parts from different stands to make one that works, returning the others... Now, we don't bother any more. They also used to cost < $120. Does anyone have an alternative for a stable boom stand which reaches 15'+?

My first order for this item came broken inside an undamaged box (plastic collar to which the 3 legs attach--only the heart of what holds the entire stand upright) was broken into two pieces. I returned it for exchange. The 2ND one arrived (this time double-boxed.) It TOO was broken into many pieces--only one of the three legs were attached. I asked for a refund this time and will purchase a different product... ELSEWHERE!