subject: The Never-ending Hunt for Bargains [print this page] The Never-ending Hunt for Bargains The Never-ending Hunt for Bargains
Sometimes in our endless pursuit of getting the best price, we put the blinders up and actually end up sacrificing the quality and longevity of the items we buy. After all, the discount brand may look pretty good next to its name-brand competitor on the store's shelf, but what about when you get it home and it doesn't quite work how you'd envisioned?
Look, in no way I am I advocating a name-brand-only approach to shopping, because that's just silly. A lot of the time, you'll end up getting the same quality product, if not the exact same product, from a discount brand for a fraction of the price. However, there are some items that, when it comes time to foot the bill, it is worth your while to pay for the genuine article.
Certain items where durability is required, you're going to want to go with a trusted, more expensive name brand. For instance, when it's time to get your engine looked at, get some work done to your car or put on new tires, you'll want to go with a name brand. Why? Because even though they may cost more, the performance is guaranteed. Therefore, you don't have to worry about dealing with the same problem over and over again, continuously paying for an inferior product. I mean sure, the knock-off may be half the price, but is it really worth it the second or third time around?
Remember, when you buy an inferior product, it you may sacrificing one of your most valuable assets: time. If you have to wait on slower service or constantly deal with problems, you're just wasting time.
Another example is clothing. It's better to buy clothes of greater quality because, in the end, you'll have to buy much less of them. This results in fewer trips to the mall, less gas consumption, less cost in the long run and, most importantly, less disappointment when your new favorite shirt is ruined after wearing it only a couple of times.
When it comes to certain items, there is no substitute for quality. Be a smart consumer and do your homework to learn how you can get the biggest bang for your buck. In fact, these days, many leading manufacturers are slashing prices to accommodate the slower economy, so you may be able to strike some good deals on brand-name items.
When doing your holiday shopping, beware of counterfeit goods, as well. Oftentimes they are made with substandard components that can be dangerous for your loved ones.
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