Yeah, Platty's got it in one... It's back to that old "buy local, support the local economy" debate (that I think we've vented about on here before). Screw 'em, it's a global economy now and if I can buy significantly cheaper overseas then I'm gonna. Often though, the freight costs seem like a conspiracy too.
Anyway... clutch case protector... I think I'll knock up something aftermarket; I should have a few empty aluminium cans lying around after Christmas