big box store bikes have been up and down in quality over the years. I saw one in 1980 that had to be the lowest quality possible for a "bike like object." The issue is that most of these bikes are purchased and never used more than once, if that much. So people that expect to commute regularly on one are a very small part of the target consumer pool for these bikes. The difference now is that there do seem to be higher quality bicycles available from the big boxes.

The "BLO" I mentioned from 1980 had a headset that couldn't be adjusted, and was quite loose. Every part was made from the thinnest sheet metal that would possibly work. It was dangerous to be within 3 feet of this brand new "bike," so riding it was a very questionable activity. It was an AMF or Huffy or the like, American brand. I doubt that any piece of junk the Chinese might manufacture could possibly be worse than that.