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In my limited experience, I have found that the main difference between expensive and cheap holsters is the retaining clip. On the only "cheapo" holster I own, the clip is very flimsy metal and it is located on the top of the holster - I assume it is located there to allow the holster to sit in you pants as deep as possible and let the belt do most of the work by squeezing the heaviest part of the gun (the grip area). A few of my friends have low-priced holsters and they are all similarly setup.

The flimsy clips allow the rig to move to-and-fro when you move, which definitely results in bad printing. Also, with the rig sitting deep in your pants, the thickest part of the gun sits on the widest part of your waistline. Depending on your body type, this may or may not be a problem.

With my "quality" holsters, the clips are definitely lightyears ahead in construction. The retention clips usually lies more towards the middle of the rig, allowing the butt of the pistol to ride higher on your body (ie above the widest part of your wasteline). For me, this alone makes all the difference in the world. Also, I can sit down without the pistol pulling my pants up, which is another huge complaint I have about my cheap holster or any of my friends I have tried out. Also, the quality holsters stay put and don't move around when you do.