Shifter question

[Ron Roberts]

There are several choices of aftermarket shifters one can by for their VW. Scat and Gene Berg seem to have the best rep from what I gather.
Most newer cars have a spring action to them whereas all the Vw shifters as far as I know, do not. It seems to me that the shifter really doesn't do much. It is a very basic, lever and fulcrum machine. If the ball fits snug in the socket of the shift rod, and the tunnel bushing is in good shape. What can one shifter do that another one can't? In my car, the play between gears is loose, even though the front and rear bushing is new. I move the shifter where it needs to go, or I miss. There is nothing in the system to guide the shifter. I don't think anything is out of order here, but I have never driven a new air cooled VW.
So, 2 questions:

Is a new transmission "tighter" in its feel when the shifter is moving between gears?

What makes an expensive shifter better than cheap one or stock? (disreguarding length of throw)?

Thanks
Ron