Wednesday, 09 September 2009
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Is Being Cheap Worth It?
In the age of disposable goods made from outsourced labour and cheap materials, stores have made great profits by selling inexpensive goods. Where once an item was expensive, but expected to last, now our expectations have shifted to prefer yearly models. A thirty year-old washing machine has the same life expectancy as a brand new one – 10 years.
However, quantity doesn’t win out over quality all the time.
Consider the following (thanks, Bill):
There are two men who are neighbours. Both live in a cold wet place, and both need new boots. The first goes to the store, and tries on a comfortable, warm, waterproof pair of shoes he thinks look great, but are very expensive, so he goes for another pair that don’t fit as well, aren’t as waterproof, and don’t feel quite as comfortable, but are much cheaper.
The other man goes to the store and finds that same pair, warm, well-fitting, water-proof, and well-made. He decides to spend much more money, and goes with the expensive shoes.
Every year for the next thirty years, the first neighbour has to buy new shoes, because his cheap pairs have fallen apart on him. What’s more, during the course of the year his feet are always wet, cold, and cramped.
The other neighbour lasts the thirty years with the same pair of shoes, that remain sturdily constructed, have been lovingly maintained, and keep his feet nice and warm and dry.
By the end of the thirty years, guess who has spent more money? Guess who has the happier feet?
Going cheap is only worth it if you’re willing to have cheap crap.
Do you tend to buy cheap stuff, or do you think it is worth it to buy more expensive but better quality goods?
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Comments (20)
I used to buy the "cheap crap" and just live with it, until i realized we are just going to go back and buy something else cheap to try to supplement it, and then eventually buy the more expensive item anyway because its what we needed in the first place. now, i try to buy what i want/need right away to avoid wasting more money
You just have to know what things are actually worth spending the $$ on to have better quality.
lol. my fiance switched to expensive red wing boots from his construction job because he was sick of his cheap pairs falling apart, and making his feet and back hurt. he spent the money on the redwings (the soles are made from recycled car tires) and his pain went away. when the soles do wear our, he sends the to the company with 80 bucks, and the put a new sole on it
i agree, quality over quanity...for most things
Ideally, it's best to buy quality at the lowest price you can find.
BTW, I'd really like to see a pair of shoes that lasts 30 years.
No, not really.
It all depends on how you value things
some are worth buying others are highly overrated
for such a price
Well, cheap and poorly made are two different things. I buy cheap jewelry mostly (not costume, just not high end) and cheap body care stuff....I love my Suave! Things like shoes and clothes though, it's better to just spend the extra money if you're planning on wearing them a lot. A pair of shoes you may wear once a year? Sure, go to Payless, but if you plan on wearing the same pair of shoes to work almost every day, it's better to just spend the money to get a decent pair that will last you longer. Same goes with furniture and such. Paying the medical fees to fix your back and neck pain is going to cost a lot more than a decent mattress and a good pair of shoes!
it really depends on the situation. like the situation given obviously it's not worth being cheap right? but example if you can buy a bottled water no brand at the dollar store for a dollar but you have to walk a little bit farther, or stop at the closest place to buy $2 for a branded bottled water. which one would you choose? obviously the closest, NO NAMED brand water? really does name brand of water really matter? even better, bring your own water from home !
I sometimes buy things that are inexpensive, but if it's something that should be a better quality but isn't, then I say buy the more expensive... it'll be worth it in the long run. But toddlers who grow out of shoes every 2 minutes? Definitely go to Goodwill for that.
It's all about value, not cheap or expensive.
even cheap things of poor quality can last a while if you take care of them right... i've been using the same disposable plastic mugs (got them for free at some university event) in my kitchen for almost two years now
@xsimplepleasuresx@xanga - I am glad I am not the only one who thought that!
@der_lila_Stern@xanga - @xsimplepleasuresx@xanga - My thoughts exactly. Pay more where the extra cost actually gets you a better deal in cost/quality.
I used to make fun of people [only because they thought my appearance was something to joke about] who bought Air Jordans for >$100, because my $10 shoes were just as comfortable and durable, and much lighter. I still spend less than $20/pair. They tend to last a few years on me. I could only get a better deal if I could find a pair for <= $200 and be my last pair.
In all though, high quality is worth extra upfront cost, because it means time saved, money saved on repairs/replacements, etc.
Price and quality are not mutually exclusive; although I do see your point.
In Korea I could buy something that is very expensive, yet lower quality than a $10 product from Wal-Mart (like a CD player that costs $80 here). I could also go to a discount store in America and buy high quality items at a lower price.
I've seen 7 For All Mankind clothing that disintegrated at an alarming rate; I've seen Levi's that have lasted. I've seen Propper pants [I own several of the latter] that have withstood quite a bit of abuse - which I found, believe it or not, at a thrift store that benefits a local charity. They're normally about thirty bucks but I spent maybe four, plus a couple dollars on dye to fresh them up a bit.
I've seen flip-flops, Chinese slippers, and jelly shoes disintegrate before my eyes as I walked around in a pair of sandals that were hand made from leather and tire. I was asked where I got the sandals, and I replied that I traded the sandals for computer repair work, from a local artist.
I later swapped out the sandals for a set of ankle-high, suede boots that I rather like. No money exchanged hands.
I liked the craftwork on my stainless steel ring I wear all the time, so yeah, it was pricey - but a friend who saw a similar item at Spencer's had her hand turn green on her.
I have basic tanks and held on to Oxford-styled, button-up shirts - regardless of the current style. Go figure; now belted shirts are "in", I can untuck and belt these with a strip of whatever attached to an ornamental buckle of some sort - like yesteryear's butterfly belts. It's all good.
@xsimplepleasuresx@xanga - I concur with this statement!
In some cases,yes,but other times it is truly a matter of "You get what you pay for."
True...But it also depends on if its needed or a want when it comes to spending an excessive amount. I am one of the best bargain shopper i know. those $70-100 shoes i get for $25 or less
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