There can be, but there can also be some turkeys, and the inconsistency can be quite a bit motivating factor against purchase.
Went to Morrant on Saturday to help a couple of mates pick out new sticks and the Slazenger V360 which one bought is the classic example - went through the Slazenger racks in details because I expected to find exactly what I did - a low grade bat (County) which had 16 grains including 4 in the heartwood, very little in the way of blemishes etc and a feather lick pick up for its stated 2lb 9. Suffice to say this was a great find and I think it will prove to be a top, top bat....
...but the ping was far better off the mallet than the £280 top of the range V360 I showed him as a comparison piece. This one was not exactly dead, but felt clunky and picked up rather like a paddle!