why is it a crime to pay for good products

wildchild · 01-12-2009, 02:18 PM

So here is the question, brought on somewhat by the Northface question.
Why do so many people say they would never pay full price for product xxx. Even if it's a good product they find fault with it somehow. (not saying Northface is a good product, I have none of their stuff) Oh I wouldn't mind having it but I'd only pay the same as I paid for a Walmart special or whatever.
The other day some folks that I know were talking. They know I have a new vehicle. (50 miles one way every day into the hood, I prefer to lower my chance of breakdowns) They had to tell me how they have 150,000 miles on their car and they're going to drive it till it drops. One just dropped $2500 in repairs, and the other was waiting for the shop to call with his bill. From the list of repairs he was having done it was going to be a small college tuition.
The amount they spend on repairs for that one trip to the shop covers my payments for the year and I don't have to worry about breaking down. Screw it they can have their beaters. I drive old stuff now and then (my truck is 7 years old and still runs very well)but if it costs me 2 grand to get it running it's gone.
I have a jacket made by Reima for snowmobiling. Was pricey $300. I use it for sledding, on the bike (cold days), skiing, and whatever else. I've had it for 7 years and it is awesome, water proof, windproof very lightweight. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Yeah it was expensive but it sure is nice.
Is it just that people can't afford it so they cut on those who do or are they just too cheap to buy a good product and would rather try to get by with crap? I cheap out on some things now and then to but only after weighing out the options and if the need is there for a better product I'm getting it. Good money once or cheap money every other use.
Just a thought.

marko138 · 01-12-2009, 02:21 PM

I'm with you on this. I like to save money just as much as the next guy, and I'm certainly not rich, in fact, my wages are laughable...but I will pay top dollar for good products.

My wife is the opposite...she won't pay full price for anything. She'll put off buying something for months just in hopes of finding it cheaper somewhere else.

If there is something I want...I buy it. I dont care if it'll be cheaper in a week or at another store.

Corey · 01-12-2009, 02:32 PM

I won't pay full price for most things. It's not that I don't respect the product being offered, but, from my experience at least, the products that people are claiming to be the good ones just happen to have a certain amount of name recognition, and it's that name that tends to garner a higher price. I'll pay more for more quality/features/etc, but if it's like vs like and the difference is a name brand and a chunk of money, the cheaper wins.

azoomm · 01-12-2009, 02:35 PM

I make entirely too little money to buy cheap crap.

fasternyou929 · 01-12-2009, 02:44 PM

I understand you get what you pay for, and I spend my money accordingly.

My in-laws quite the opposite and will spend weeks shopping things into the ground, comparing values of cheaper items or looking for a sale. For big purchases, (think appliances) they'll also consider buying a cheap model "to get them through for a while", then they'll ditch it and buy the one they want at a later date.

RCM78 · 01-12-2009, 02:50 PM

I like nice things. I also believe quality cost money. I'm not wealthy and never will be. But life is too short to buy cheap crap!!!

2up · 01-12-2009, 02:46 PM

While price often does relate directly to quality, it doesn't ALWAYS relate in an equitable way. Often times its simply the name associated with Brand A that makes it to some, more desireable than Brand B.

Personal taste also can play a role in what is "better" IMO. I got a $250.00 bottle of Cristal champagne as a wedding gift. Totally unimpressed. Not because I have an untrained palate or whatever some Snooty McSnooterson might claim, but because I don't like very dry champagne or wine. I'll take a bottle of cheap Asti Spumante (not exactly champagne, I know) over another bottle of that Cristal any day though.

Homeslice · 01-12-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2up

I'll take a bottle of cheap Asti Spumante (not exactly champagne, I know) over another bottle of that Cristal any day though.

plusone

but then, i don't like champagne at all. whoever dreamed up the idea of carbonating wine was a fucking moron.

Rider · 01-12-2009, 02:22 PM

In the North Face example, I know that there are other brands out there that are equivalent in quality but less money. If North Face is on sale, I wouldn't hesitate to buy their stuff, but I won't pay retail for it.

On the other hand, if there is a product brand that I know is shit quality, I don't care how cheap it is, I won't buy it.

skiergirl · 01-12-2009, 02:26 PM

Depends on the product for me...motorcycle gear I'm willing to pay top dollar for quality names becuase they are tried, tested and true. Clothing not a chance, you'll never see me paying $300 for a designer sweater at Nordstom's. I'm all about saving money but sometimes you get what you pay for and not all of the cheaper brands are always as good of quality.

01-12-2009, 02:18 PM	#1
wildchild cruiser Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: on the run Moto: '09 HD superglide, 16 Yamaha FZ 09 Posts: 2,749	why is it a crime to pay for good products So here is the question, brought on somewhat by the Northface question. Why do so many people say they would never pay full price for product xxx. Even if it's a good product they find fault with it somehow. (not saying Northface is a good product, I have none of their stuff) Oh I wouldn't mind having it but I'd only pay the same as I paid for a Walmart special or whatever. The other day some folks that I know were talking. They know I have a new vehicle. (50 miles one way every day into the hood, I prefer to lower my chance of breakdowns) They had to tell me how they have 150,000 miles on their car and they're going to drive it till it drops. One just dropped $2500 in repairs, and the other was waiting for the shop to call with his bill. From the list of repairs he was having done it was going to be a small college tuition. The amount they spend on repairs for that one trip to the shop covers my payments for the year and I don't have to worry about breaking down. Screw it they can have their beaters. I drive old stuff now and then (my truck is 7 years old and still runs very well)but if it costs me 2 grand to get it running it's gone. I have a jacket made by Reima for snowmobiling. Was pricey $300. I use it for sledding, on the bike (cold days), skiing, and whatever else. I've had it for 7 years and it is awesome, water proof, windproof very lightweight. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Yeah it was expensive but it sure is nice. Is it just that people can't afford it so they cut on those who do or are they just too cheap to buy a good product and would rather try to get by with crap? I cheap out on some things now and then to but only after weighing out the options and if the need is there for a better product I'm getting it. Good money once or cheap money every other use. Just a thought.

01-12-2009, 02:32 PM	#3
Corey AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Florida Moto: Not a damn thing Posts: 2,612	I won't pay full price for most things. It's not that I don't respect the product being offered, but, from my experience at least, the products that people are claiming to be the good ones just happen to have a certain amount of name recognition, and it's that name that tends to garner a higher price. I'll pay more for more quality/features/etc, but if it's like vs like and the difference is a name brand and a chunk of money, the cheaper wins. __________________ Half man, half horse, half motorcycle. All awesome. "Your game is shit, your company is shit. Activision ruined you! Activision ruined you." - Francis

01-12-2009, 02:35 PM	#4
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	I make entirely too little money to buy cheap crap. __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

01-12-2009, 02:50 PM	#6
RCM78 Slow Poke Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ Moto: '05 R1 Posts: 61	I like nice things. I also believe quality cost money. I'm not wealthy and never will be. But life is too short to buy cheap crap!!! __________________ ---RCM78 '01 Valk '05 R1 TPM Coach #71 http://www.teampromotion.com

01-12-2009, 02:44 PM	#5
fasternyou929 SFL Expatriate #2 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Moto: CBR1000 Posts: 2,043	I understand you get what you pay for, and I spend my money accordingly. My in-laws quite the opposite and will spend weeks shopping things into the ground, comparing values of cheaper items or looking for a sale. For big purchases, (think appliances) they'll also consider buying a cheap model "to get them through for a while", then they'll ditch it and buy the one they want at a later date.

01-12-2009, 02:46 PM	#7
2up Waiting for Hello Kitty! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Arizona Moto: Nothing ATM, which makes me want to cry. Posts: 810	While price often does relate directly to quality, it doesn't ALWAYS relate in an equitable way. Often times its simply the name associated with Brand A that makes it to some, more desireable than Brand B. Personal taste also can play a role in what is "better" IMO. I got a $250.00 bottle of Cristal champagne as a wedding gift. Totally unimpressed. Not because I have an untrained palate or whatever some Snooty McSnooterson might claim, but because I don't like very dry champagne or wine. I'll take a bottle of cheap Asti Spumante (not exactly champagne, I know) over another bottle of that Cristal any day though.

01-12-2009, 02:22 PM	#9
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	In the North Face example, I know that there are other brands out there that are equivalent in quality but less money. If North Face is on sale, I wouldn't hesitate to buy their stuff, but I won't pay retail for it. On the other hand, if there is a product brand that I know is shit quality, I don't care how cheap it is, I won't buy it.

01-12-2009, 02:26 PM	#10
skiergirl Gixxer Girl Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kyle, TX Moto: 05 GSXR 750 & 06 YZ250F Posts: 1,424	Depends on the product for me...motorcycle gear I'm willing to pay top dollar for quality names becuase they are tried, tested and true. Clothing not a chance, you'll never see me paying $300 for a designer sweater at Nordstom's. I'm all about saving money but sometimes you get what you pay for and not all of the cheaper brands are always as good of quality.