well... I was about to "suggest" .... "WACOM" (but then you are saying NO)
Hmm... i think it's the price... well worth investing.
I bought one like 8 years ago... a very basic "Wacom - Graphire series"
And it still gives me good performance, The latest models are even better... and the surface area is wider and more flexible
My frens did buy some local (by that i mean... our Next door Chinese one) and the response wasn't that good.
So i say WACOM all the way (although these are also nowadays assembled in China) he he he