Every bean is a mystery, but there are quite a few companies I wouldn't even bother with (Barneys, GHS, Bomb, Dutch passion, many of the Spanish companies). I've been taken on my first go round buying beans. It feels quite shitty to waste the time, space and money on something that turns out to be mediocre at best, or simply shit at worst. Could there be good offerings? Sure, but I don't want to waste those resources trying to find something good.
I ain't going to lie, I am a huge bodhi fan. Never had a hermi problem with any of his gear, Even if a plant wasn't a favorite, it still stands on its own as a quality plant. Most aren't the biggest of yielders, but I'm about quality above quantity, although my Blueberry Hill is a beast of a plant. I've got 8 different Bodhi strains running now in various stages with 4 of them new to me in veg.
Sadly some amazing bag beans from a Dr. Green thumb all turned out to be he she and had to get the chop. Can't blame his genetics necessarily, as it easily could have been a donor from some other plant instead of selfed. simply happy I caught them in time, but it was bizarre having bananas popping out of the female flowers. Seen bananas before near nodes, but never intermixed in the flowers like that.
I do think that research is important, look for breeders that have a solid stable, long standing in the community, and a "fan base" so to speak. I have all these singles and just can't bring myself to bother with most of them. Why waste time on something that may be mediocre when I can run something with a good reputation?
Beans I'd run with a close eye on, Rp/DNA, G 13, Th Seeds (damn hog hermied on me back in the day), WOS, Delicious (owned by WOS).
Companies I wish to buy from in the near future besides Bodhi, Ace, Cannabiogen, Sensi, Mr. Nice, Serious and possibly Gage although I'm tired of typical OG crosses which it seems he uses as a male on the regular
Sure I'm missing some good companies, but just my thoughts on the topic. If price is a concern, remember you get what you pay for and how hard is it to save a few bucks? Besides you can make it on the back end when you have a harvest of great bud.