“I've had one for nearly 20 years”
I got a Lodge brand skillet in the early 90s, and still have it, nearly 20 years later. It takes a lot of abuse, and does a great job cooking everything. Over time, these pans acquire not only the black "seasoning" coat, but a layer of black fat burned into the bottom that serves as a kind of non-stick coating. You have to scrape at the surface with the turner to keep it smooth, and use a steel wool pad on it every year or so to strip it down a bit and smooth out any rough spots.
My family has some other pans we've been using since the 1950s. Cast iron lasts.
Also, you shouldn't wash these pans like normal pans. Just rinse them out, and wash with a sponge every other use or so. That helps develop the coating.
“T-Fal 12.25 in./5 qt. Jumbo Cooker w/Glass Lid - A MUST HAVE!”