OK, you could still use a small TB drive instead - but, as with the Apple Firewire and Ethernet adapters they can shave a bit off the cost by having the plug integrated or on a very short cable, Also, doesn't a thunderbolt display have to be the LAST in the chain for it to wor...
As for giveaway USB drives, “that inexpensive flash drive you picked up or were given for free, where it’ll be on the quality scale . . . is anyone’s guess.” My guess is the company that gave it away got a very low price because the drive was on the low end of the scale....