Hi there,
I’ve been having no luck with those generic LED strips from eBay - this is how most of ones I got look after some months of usage:
I’ve decided that just replacing them regularly is too bothersome, and though of getting some more expensive/higher quality strips…
but the problem is, I can’t find any! Help please? 
I’ve heard good things about Elara strips although I haven’t used them myself. Couldn’t find any info on CRI, but they do come in a range of tints. Not cheap, but I know a couple of people (online) that have had them running for a number of years, so you’d save the cost and hassle of frequent replacements.
Reduce your supply voltage. most of the LED strips are soo over-driven that they die of being pushed too hard. I bought mine from hobby king a long time ago. They seemed to be of decent quality (at the time) and ive been using mine on a daily basis for my desk lamp without any issues. I have got a linear regulator on my voltage supply to reduce the voltage to around 11.5v which ensures they only run luke warm, and no more.
I also note, that mine have dripping resistors of around 150ohms, compared to newer batches from the same store with 120ohm resistors. This means the newer ones are also driven even harder. I know this doesn’t relate to your situation directly, but the question is, how warm are your emitters on your LED strip, and what is the actual voltage supply?
Thanks, I’ll look into them.
Running 12.0V OCV and ~11.8V under load - doesn’t seems over-driven to me, considering they’re rated at 12V
Tried touching them after hours of running, they weren’t anything hotter than “warm”.
“rated” at 12V, doesn’t always mean happy to run at 12V. I would understand the max voltage rating on an LED strip with a series resistor would ultimately come down to current per LEd and themal limits. Especially with chinese suppliers, I dont really trust any specifications. I do agree though that it Should last when driven at or below 12V
Best test is still temperature, and if its only barely warm, its more likely to be ok. Theres so many things that can contribute to failure, so its hard to tell for sure, its just most commonly thermal issues and or contact issues.
I do agree with your conclusion though that a somewhat more expensive strip could be a safer choice, but the biggest issue is still finding something that is actually better without going overboard on price.
I too would like to find good Neutral white tinted light strips.
(just for reference, mine is as pictured (cool white 
), http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8944, but at the time were $10 each! The new ones are driven harder now)
I think Aldi-South-Germany is selling warm white led strips with 240 leds /10 meters as christmas decoration in the in the near future (10-14 days).... if I remember correctly. I can look it up, if you want. The distance between each led is a little high for my taste. They should be similar to this. They are probably a little dim to what we are used to, but they are already 230–240 Volt and come in a transparent tube. 0.06 Watt * 240 = 14.4 Watt + transformation losses
See my thread on my experiences with LED strips and driving them properly… The Tao of Chinese LED Strip Lights
If you are driving long strips you cannot power them properly from one end!