Wow Tom, sorry to hear you got a dud! From my personal buying experiences, the $17 one is the chromo hollow rail model.
I own both the Vertu version and the Tioga version, both have held up incredibly well.. but I will note you do want bike specific clothing or pants that without sewn on back pockets perhaps.. since as you found out it can snag quite easily.
I don't like false advertising or that you got a bad one to boot..
It should also be noted that the craftsmanship and finishing work of the Tioga is light years ahead of the Vertu, but that's $70 vs $17.
Last edited by RaleighSport; 02-17-14 at 05:32 PM.