Lighting stores have a huge markup. One way I know is that when I built my house, the builder said to go to a certain lighting store and cut all price tags in half -- that's what he pays at that store.
That said, yes there is a difference in quality from one fixture to another. Many brass fixtures will tarnish in a short time, while others will stay good looking for many years. Since this is a new house, my advice is to go with quality -- if you can tell which is which. It's hard to do by looking at it, or by the price tag.

The internal parts all come from the place. Hint not the USA. As stated the finish may be junk and the quality of the metal may be also. Don't pay full price at a lighting store. This is a good example of "You get what pay for".

Hi! It's true that lighting stores have a huge markup, and that the sockets and transformers all come from outside USA, but you will find more reputable brands, hence better finish and durability at lighting stores, but this is not always true. Some lighting stores will sell the same thing as home centers, but twice the price, and some home centers will carry good brands on special orders. My local home center, for instance, can special order Lightolier fixtures.

Thanks for all your helpful messages. We finally chose good quality fixtures for the main living areas that will get lots of use, and lesser quality for the utility room closets etc. We did ask our home builder the same question, and he said a better quality fixture has better sockets, better finish, and he also thought the bulbs last longer. He also agreed with you that the lighting stores are a little pricey. I'm learning lots.

Not all parts for every fixture are sourced from overseas. When you pay top dollar, you are buying better performance:

a. Quality reflector coatings and shapes (stamped, hydroformed or assembled?) means more light out of fixture, means more efficiency and fewer fixtures

b. Quality built transformers will not hum or buzz

c. Quality built housings will flush against a ceiling, and install faster, meaning that your installation labor drops. Quality housings will securely hold the lamp without vibration, meaning longer lamp life. They will not amplify transformer or filament noise into a room.

d. Buy the highest quality you can afford.