When making a purchase I plan to keep for any length of time, I’m usually a firm believer in buying the highest quality item I can afford. For example, I would rather spend $200 on a classic handbag I can carry for seven years, than $10 on a purse that will fall apart after seven months. Because I don’t feel the need to accumulate a large collection of handbags (or anything, for that matter), this strategy works well for me. I much prefer having two classic purses I really love, to having a dozen cheap, trendy bags.Unfortunately, I don’t always follow my “spend-more-for-quality” rule as strictly as I should. For instance, I recently needed new dress shoes in both black and brown. The ones I needed to replace were good leather and had lasted me a long time, but they were scuffed up, scratched, and worn down beyond all repair. I should have replaced them with equally high-quality shoes I could keep for at least another two years. Instead, I tried to cut corners by buying two pairs of cheap shoes made from synthetic materials.
The shoes I bought are cute, they match my wardrobe, and I only spent $25 for both pairs. However, they don’t come close to my previous shoes in quality or durability. They’re not nearly as comfortable, they don’t provide sufficient support, the synthetic materials don’t allow my feet to “breathe,” and I can already tell that these shoes won’t look presentable after six months of wear and tear. I’ve only had them for about a month, but I already regret my decision to buy them. I’ll wear both pairs for as long as I can, but I’ll pay the price in discomfort and dissatisfaction.
When I do replace these, you can pretty much guarantee I’ll spend the extra money to get two pairs of high quality, leather shoes I can wear for some time. I won’t waste time or money on cheap shoes again. After all, spending less at the store isn’t frugal if you walk away with a product that won’t last even a full year.
What do you think? Do you spend less and hope for the best when making a purchase? Or do you shell out extra in the hopes that you’ll get more mileage from the things you buy? How well (or poorly) has either strategy worked for you? Please share in the comments.
6 comments:
I definitely spend more for quality when I think it really counts. Footwear is one of those things. I would much rather spend more for shoes that don't hurt and will last a long time. I am of the fewer quality items than more cheap items anyday. It has never served me well to accumulate a lot of cheap things that don't last. I often spend more than I would have if I'd just bought the expensive item in the first place.
Clothing is the same way, you might get a great deal on Walmart clothing but it doesn't hold up at all.
I am firm believer in quality. You have to take into account the non monetary expense of purchasing "cheap" things. When are you going to have to replace them again? How do they feel? Your comfort certainly has a value. I would also consider your happiness. There is value to be measured in one's own happiness. Dollars and cents are only part of the value equation that should be considered when buying anything.
I totally agree with you, but sometimes I still make that silly mistake of buying cheaply-made products because they are so much less expensive. I almost always regret it--especially with shoes. I actually just wrote a post on my blog about a pair of high-quality shoes that I kept for 12 years because they just wouldn't wear out! You can read if if you'd like at ivyleaguehomemaker.blogspot.com.
I also agree with this. I am much more satisfied, especially long term, when I spend a little extra money in the first place. I also enjoy going to the outlet mall, when you can get very nice handbags or shoes, such as Coach or Rockport, for a fraction of the price. :) I recently was able to get a Coach purse that's both outlet and non-outlet stores for $70, normally $225! And it's going to last me forever, the leather is such a good quality.
I've purchased men's shoes instead of the inferior quality women's shoes on offer at the same store. My feet are (ahem) large-ish, and appreciate the extra toe room. My sense of style appreciates the beautiful quality and simplicity that are hard to find in the women's aisles. And my wallet appreciates that the money isn't being frittered away.
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