On what batteries?

Only if they are not used properly, which will happen on any brand or "high end" lipos

One person at our local track claimed that an smc pack puffed for him. But that could have easily been an electronics/gearing issue.

I've had three different types of smc packs and they've all been flawless for me.

I agree that any lipo will will puff if not cared for but with the smc/reedy/revtech variant(come from same source) can and will puff even if cared for. I have a few reedy 6500 which are the same as the smc and I take good care and they puff. I never leave them charged very long and after three months, all three show signs of puffing. My thunderpower lipos that I had for over a year and half never showed any puffing and I treated them in the same manner. Just saying.

Best bang for your buck I've found is valuehobby.com gForce and gForce elite lipo's.

SMC batteries are not rebranded. They have theyre own lipo contractors. The 7200 SMC batteries puff because they completly fill the case full of battery. Theres really no room for expansion, which every lipo does no matter what.

Hmmm, how sure are you?

ok it is quite a bit later... but i ordered a SMC 4 cell yesterday