Heh, I'd love to compare paint jobs. I often get to do it at my leisure, simply because no one else is buying all the damn Shaak Ti and Nikto Jedi figures clogging the pegs at TRU. If I want anything new, I'm at the mercy of my trading partners or ebay seller. Being picky just isn't an option. New figures are so rare that I'm so damn excited to find one on the pegs, the only thing on my mind is making sure somebody doesn't bump into me and make me drop the card. That and making sure the cashier doesn't beat the crap out of them or fold them to make them all fit in the bag.
About sweatshops:
One problem I always have with these types of discussions is that some people (not saying anyone here) always tries to put a North American perspective on the conditions and wages. Got news for those folks, the average salary in China does not equate to $5 us an hour or whatever minimum wage may be. The comparison needs to be made between wages and working conditions in the country under consideration. As North Americans, we have the luxury of our society and having those expectations for working conditions. That crappy jobs exist does not mean that people are exploited. It may well be true, but are you prepared to pay $20 US for each 3 3/4" figure?
My considerations for people in those factories is that they are not placed in dangerous conditions. If it is indeed a fire trap or they are beaten, then it is an issue. If they work long, hard hours at a locally competitive wage, then I have no problem with it.