I agree, and yes, I do clean up my empty stuff. I wipe my cue tip on the cuff of my pants then wipe the cue with a microfiber towel before they go in my case. This really helps keep shafts clean. Hardly any dirt on my carbon fiber shaft when wiped with an alcohol wipe.
Coming from a tool room background, I purchased a Mitutoyo 6" and 12" many decades ago and all I do is change batteries.
The cheap ones are just that, they feel cheap, lose their zero, and are just annoying.
Buy once, cry once.