Understand completely.

However, if you only use a 25" maybe 2x a year that also means it will see very little wear-and-tear compared to your carry on thus it will last maybe 3x longer. So if you burn through carry on's every 5 years, your checked back will last you 15 so spending another $200 to get a best-in-class experience actually makes the checked bag less expensive compared to the rolling carry on.

That's the way I look at it, so I hold my checked bag to the same standard as the carry on bag as far as features, durability, etc. Costs me more up front, lasts 10 years longer, in the end its not a big financial difference on a per year basis. Additionally, if I'm taking a trip requiring a checked bag that means it's a more important trip, tends to mean I'm spending more time living with the bag. So I don't want a cheaper experience compared to a carry on trip, I want a better experience.

BJ