When is it worth paying more?

[lacktheknack]

Generally, you tend to get what you pay for, I've found. I tend to aim for the item one price tier above the dead-center price. IE: If I'm buying toothpaste, and tubes are being sold for $2, $3, $5, and $8, I'll buy the $5 one.

Some things are worth shelling out extra for (people have already mentioned cookware) and other things are not (Oh wow, PREMIUM rubber bands!). Generally, you'll want to shell out more for things that last a long time.

 

[Alarien]

I am a frequent traveller and this thread immediately spoke to me.

Is it worth *paying* for first class? That depends. Within a continent (i.e. 4 hours or less)? Probably never. It's not even worth it to me to give up a really good flight time for a better seat (i.e. middle for window, which rarely happens, but does happen). However, on a really long flight, it might make more of a difference to you, since first class is exponentially better than coach. This will also be more apparent if you're fat (I'm not, but many people are, though they hate to admit it... not a value judgement, just a statement). If you're overweight, you will be miserable in coach, particularly in a middle seat. Further, you will make everyone around you miserable, for various reasons.

What about other stuff? Some stuff is worth paying more for better quality.

Someone said toilet paper: A-fuckingMen. Yep. Good toilet paper is a hallmark of modern opulent civilizations. And I'm fine with that.

Food: My wife and I buy grass-fed meat. We buy beef tallow to cook it in. These things are more expensive. We're healthier for it, and it tastes a LOT better. I'd pony up for this.

Knives: Yep. Shitty knives are cheap. Good knives are expensive. I have yet to find an actual exception to this rule.

In the end, you really need to evaluate what you are buying. You usually get what you pay for, though this is not always the case.

Here's the best tip I can give you:

Do Some Research First

 

[Alarien]

Knives: Yep. Shitty knives are cheap. Good knives are expensive. I have yet to find an actual exception to this rule.

ye totally agree...but you don't need a full set in a funky block ...and cutlery too i find.

and solid pots with good handles

my mums pots were a wedding present...40 odd year ago...

most kitchen stuff is worth investing in tbh...

but dishes is one place you can save money when it comes to kitchen stuff i think.

mass produced china has been around a very long time and even cheap plain bargain dish sets can be perfectly fine "quality" and appearance wise.

LOL, all good comments.

As for knives: Wustoff for easily available. Shun for easily available and REALLY high quality. Neither are cheap, but both are fantastic, with Shun being some of the best mass-market Japanese style knives you can get. Watch woot.com for deals, frankly.

Now, one place you absolutely CAN and SHOULD go cheap?

Cast iron skillet. Get a 9ish inch. Get a 12ish inch. Get a cast iron Dutch Oven. You can get most of these for bargain prices, though you might find them in really weird places (like a hardware store).

Great-grandmas cooked on cast iron for a reason. It's the BEST COOKING SURFACE/IMPLEMENT EVER. Period. End of line.

If you disagree with cast iron- you're wrong. Sorry. You're wrong.

 

[Xman490]

It is worth paying more when the product has no cheaper equivalent alternatives.

In terms of games, those would include most Nintendo-published games, especially because they rarely go on discounts until a couple of years after launch. Also, Grand Theft Auto IV and Guild Wars make my full-price list based on nostalgia value (from 5 and 8 years ago, respectively) and having good multiplayer, good pricing compared to competitors, and other cases of rare (if not nonexistent) discounts.

 

[NerAnima]

I think I'll throw in my two cents, and say when you know it'll last for a long time. My parents got a microwave as a wedding gift, that thing lasted so long, I was beginning to believe it would outlast me and my siblings!

Also, people have said a good bed, and I cannot help but agree, but also add that a good pillow and blanket (or whatever) is pretty essential, you're gonna be stuck with those three for a long while, and if you live somewhere like Winter-peg, having some way to keep the heat out during the night is pretty bloody helpful.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I find it rather odd that so many posters here are giving shoes and clothing as things that are worth spending extra money on. I have actually found that shoes and clothes are one area where there is a very clear divide between paying for quality and just paying for the name. Sure a high quality pair of shoes is going to cost you more than a pair of Wal-Mart specials, but once you get into a something like a specialty sports shoe store that sells Nike and Adidas for a couple of hundred dollars a pair you're clearly not paying for quality anymore. In situations like that you're basically just paying a luxury tax.

 

[Alarien]

I find it rather odd that so many posters here are giving shoes and clothing as things that are worth spending extra money on. I have actually found that shoes and clothes are one area where there is a very clear divide between paying for quality and just paying for the name. Sure a high quality pair of shoes is going to cost you more than a pair of Wal-Mart specials, but once you get into a something like a specialty sports shoe store that sells Nike and Adidas for a couple of hundred dollars a pair you're clearly not paying for quality anymore. In situations like that you're basically just paying a luxury tax.

I buy underwear, socks, shoes and stuff at Costco, Walmart, and Target. I haven't really found that these are worse than any expensive brands. In fact, I have a $22 winter shell jacket from Costco that is one of the absolute best values I have ever paid for (btw, I will plug Costco a bit here... they really do go for quality in quantity rather than quality over quantity, and good on them for that... Kirkland brand stuff is usually pretty solid). I generally go with clothes and shoes at a bang-for-buck ratio, with whatever seems to be on-sale at good prices (sorta like Steam). I do not limit myself to one brand here because doing so is kinda dumb.

So, in essence, I completely agree with you.

I never pay top dollar for name brand anything that is wearable. You will just wear it out over time and no one will ever give two shits that you wore it.

 

[TekMoney]

Tattoos. It's going on you for life, probably not a good idea to cheap out.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I find it rather odd that so many posters here are giving shoes and clothing as things that are worth spending extra money on. I have actually found that shoes and clothes are one area where there is a very clear divide between paying for quality and just paying for the name. Sure a high quality pair of shoes is going to cost you more than a pair of Wal-Mart specials, but once you get into a something like a specialty sports shoe store that sells Nike and Adidas for a couple of hundred dollars a pair you're clearly not paying for quality anymore. In situations like that you're basically just paying a luxury tax.

I agree that there is a rate of diminishing returns on brand name clothing where the more expensive it is the less you see a difference in quality, but you can't say that there's no difference between paying $20 for a pair of shoes, and paying $100-$150. The $20 shoes are just cheaper because the quality of the materials is just plain worse, and it shows in a lot of ways, especially with dress shoes, or really any kid of leather shoes. Good leather shoes will last you years, whereas cheap ones will last you months.

I know I have a pair of good leather walking shoes which I've had for about 7 years now, which have been worn at least 2 or 3 times a week (usually more), and are in great condition with very little wear on them. On the other hand I have a cheap pair of "leather" shoes which I wore for a little over a year and they're already starting to fall apart on me.

So yeah, the quality does level off after a certain price point, making it no longer worth paying more and more, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a massive difference in quality between relatively expensive and relatively inexpensive clothing.

 

[Frezzato]

Hmm, I like this thread.

Flashlight - Fenix E01. They cost $12 and use a single AAA battery. Will provide a modest amount of lumens over 20 hours. Waterproof to around 1 meter. The head is sealed in epoxy and contains a chip regulator which will use every bit of energy left in the battery, unlike an equivalent miniature Maglite, which cost $5. Type III hard anodization as well.

Batteries - For flashlights that you squirrel away for emergencies, go with lithium cells if you can. Unlike alkaline, lithium batteries are highly leak resistant and have a shelf life of ten years. If you keep a small flashlight for emergencies, make sure to keep lithium batteries in it.

Eyedrops - Opcon A. Don't ever buy a bottle of Visene again. Go and buy a bottle of Opcon-A or an equivalent brand that ends in 'A'. Just stay away from Visene. Unlike Visene, Opcon-A works against allergic reactions. Unfortunately, it should apparently not be used for irritation due to contact lenses. But even at almost $7 for half a fluid ounce, it's worth it. It stings a little at first, but then the whites of your eyes turn so white it's almost a miracle. It was recommended to me by an optometrist.

And this is pretty random, but if you want the leather on boots or shoes to last a really long time, buy real Neatsfoot oil. Don't use Saddle Soap. Neatsfoot oil may darken lighter colored leathers, especially rough surfaces, but leather drinks it up as if it were alive. Your natural leather footwear will become soft and supple. Unfortunately, the way they make Neatsfoot oil...well...it's made from animal parts. That's all you need to know really.

 

[Alarien]

Neatsfoot oil? Will keep that in mind. Sounds solid and natural.

I cook as much of my food in lard and beef tallow as possible. I feel infinitely better for that, so how they make it is not an issue to me. Animals die for our food. Best we use them in the best possible ways.

 

[Kennetic]

There are many things that are worth paying more for. You mentioned new cars, which I have never purchased a new vehicle myself, but I'm sure there are many people that like knowing that the vehicle they are buying hasn't been abused over it's life and those deficiencies aren't mentioned when you are looking at it just to find out for yourself later.

Personally, I read reviews before I make a big purchase. I do this at length when I want to purchase a new gun (I only buy guns new, don't want to risk that shit blowing up in my face). I payed more for my firearms because of various reasons: reliability, ergonomics, ruggedness, etc.

 

[suitepee7]

when it is worth the money. for me, this means it will last a long time, and is perfect for my needs. i used to buy £10-£15 headphones, then i found some which sound amazing and fit perfectly for £30, and i always buy them. my new mechanical keyboard is a joy to type on, and it will last me a very long time, so again it is worth the money.

spending an ungodly amount of money to get slightly better seating for a 8 hour flight? na thanks, i'll just have a nap instead

 

[GonzoGamer]

Food: My wife and I buy grass-fed meat. We buy beef tallow to cook it in. These things are more expensive. We're healthier for it, and it tastes a LOT better. I'd pony up for this.

Knives: Yep. Shitty knives are cheap. Good knives are expensive. I have yet to find an actual exception to this rule.

Flea markets: you can find some really good old knives for cheap at flea markets. Other cookware too.

Grass fed beef: hell yes, I pay extra for that. I can't even eat a fast food burger anymore; tastes like a ricecake compared to the GFB.

I find it rather odd that so many posters here are giving shoes and clothing as things that are worth spending extra money on. I have actually found that shoes and clothes are one area where there is a very clear divide between paying for quality and just paying for the name. Sure a high quality pair of shoes is going to cost you more than a pair of Wal-Mart specials, but once you get into a something like a specialty sports shoe store that sells Nike and Adidas for a couple of hundred dollars a pair you're clearly not paying for quality anymore. In situations like that you're basically just paying a luxury tax.

I got to agree with you here. Most of my best pieces of clothing in my life were $20 or less. I used to do a lot of thrift store shopping but the trick is to go to thrift stores in the rich villages outside the city. Those people wear something for a couple of months and send it to the thrift store.

It sounds like it's less because you're poor and more because you're smart. Function over form. Also, never buy a new car, you can a year old model with hardly any miles for half the cost. Off-the-lot depreciation is obscene.

Thanks but I used to be poor, do quite well now actually and one of the reasons is probably my thriftiness. For me I guess, its helped me make some good investments.
Yes, it's insane how much a new car goes down in value the second you pull it into drive. I can easily afford a new car now but the notion just seems absurd to me.

 

[jklinders]

Knives: Yep. Shitty knives are cheap. Good knives are expensive. I have yet to find an actual exception to this rule.

ye totally agree...but you don't need a full set in a funky block ...and cutlery too i find.

and solid pots with good handles

my mums pots were a wedding present...40 odd year ago...

most kitchen stuff is worth investing in tbh...

but dishes is one place you can save money when it comes to kitchen stuff i think.

mass produced china has been around a very long time and even cheap plain bargain dish sets can be perfectly fine "quality" and appearance wise.

LOL, all good comments.

As for knives: Wustoff for easily available. Shun for easily available and REALLY high quality. Neither are cheap, but both are fantastic, with Shun being some of the best mass-market Japanese style knives you can get. Watch woot.com for deals, frankly.

Now, one place you absolutely CAN and SHOULD go cheap?

Cast iron skillet. Get a 9ish inch. Get a 12ish inch. Get a cast iron Dutch Oven. You can get most of these for bargain prices, though you might find them in really weird places (like a hardware store).

Great-grandmas cooked on cast iron for a reason. It's the BEST COOKING SURFACE/IMPLEMENT EVER. Period. End of line.

If you disagree with cast iron- you're wrong. Sorry. You're wrong.

Halleluiah!

I re-discovered the wonders of cast iron about 6 years ago. Indestructible, excellent heat retention, oven safe, non stick and pretty easy to clean. After I moved out I fell for the teflon fad for a bit. My mom was never fooled and stuck to her skillet. I still wouldn't trade out my aluminum dutch oven for a cast iron version though. It's a close call, but those pots are incredible.

 

[Artina89]

Usually I like to shop around and compare prices, especially when it comes to food, but there are exceptions. For example, for Christmas I bought myself Bose 20i Acoustic noise cancelling ear buds and I absolutely love them. They were really expensive, but to me it was worth it. For electronics and the like I tend to go for the more expensive option because (in my experience anyway) it tends to last longer and I end up saving a bit more money in the long run, but even then, I will go around the stores and shop online to try and compare prices. I am actually really quite cautious with money.

 

[Buzz Killington_v1legacy]

theatre tickets

There's one exception to this: the Globe in London. I've seen plays there both sitting in the galleries and standing in the yard, and standing in the yard (if you can get there early enough to get right up against the stage) is amazing. You're only a few feet away from the actors, and you get a face full of Shakespeare.

Best of all, it only costs £5 to be a groundling--you get a fantastic evening of theatre for the price of a good drink. Be prepared to stand in one place for around three hours, though.

 

[Frezzato]

Neatsfoot oil? Will keep that in mind. Sounds solid and natural.

I cook as much of my food in lard and beef tallow as possible. I feel infinitely better for that, so how they make it is not an issue to me. Animals die for our food. Best we use them in the best possible ways.

I totally forgot to mention that using Neatsfoot oil makes leather waterproof. Also, as a kid I remember hearing about what one kid's dad did to make his baseball glove easier to use--that was Neatsfoot oil as well.

 

[ChineseGuy212]

Wine. It is so much better to have a good bottle of expensive wine once in a while than drink absolute garbage, and the same goes for steak etc.
Art equipment also tends to be like this - good canvases are expensive without exception.

 

[shootthebandit]

Tyres. Seriously dont buy cheap tyres. Not only do you get worse grip but they wear a lot quicker. Part worns are a false economy too. If your car is front wheel drive get a decent pair on the front rather than the rear. When they have to cope with drive and steering you want a good set