Why are apple chargers so poorly made?

I've had the iphone 5 since it was released and have already had to change my original charger for a new one as the connection broke at the lighting adapter end of the wire. 5 months in to the new charger and exactly the same has happened. No I'm in a position where I have a dead phone, with no means of charging it (The rest of my house are on the 4/4s) and the nearest apple store to change it for a new one is in another city.

I wouldn't mind too much if it was just a standard usb wire, I could just pick up a new one for a few pence but 15 quid is a lot to pay for a wire which will pack up in the next few months