I've had pretty good success with cheaper white label batteries for customers back when I worked as a parts person. But then again, the supplier we purchased from likely had buying power and quality control in place to make sure the junk never reached us.
We also never put cheap batteries into our refurbished bikes. Customer gets GS Yuasa unless they specifically request and pay for anything lesser.
For my personal bikes though, I never rolled the dice. I didn't have the stomach for it if I was out on a road trip and my battery gave out. Most of the time, I use my battery jump pack for everyone else who gets stranded.
Much easier nowadays with Amazon reviews. Customers are ruthless. Great for the rest of us!