Quality part II
02-03-2005, 02:10 PM
#21
Product quality is what makes certain brands and promotes their longevity. In the clothing industry fashion changes with the wind several times a year, quality isn't always what people are looking for.
On the other hand certain brands have a reputation for quality. This often disappears when they begin to mass merchandise in Walmart or other major chains.
In the kids fashion industry, quality still counts. Especially if your product will last through several children. It seems to still count ito a degree the mens industry. I find the best quality in specialty aparrel like surfwear.
The womens fashion industry doesn't seem to work that way. I'm completely amazed when I walk through Saks women's departments and compare price to quality of fabric or manufacture. There are well made products out there but price doesn't necessarily denote how well it's made.
Price isn't everything that denotes value. Product alone doesn't denote value. Product and service denote value.
fltsfshr
On the other hand certain brands have a reputation for quality. This often disappears when they begin to mass merchandise in Walmart or other major chains.
In the kids fashion industry, quality still counts. Especially if your product will last through several children. It seems to still count ito a degree the mens industry. I find the best quality in specialty aparrel like surfwear.
The womens fashion industry doesn't seem to work that way. I'm completely amazed when I walk through Saks women's departments and compare price to quality of fabric or manufacture. There are well made products out there but price doesn't necessarily denote how well it's made.
Price isn't everything that denotes value. Product alone doesn't denote value. Product and service denote value.
fltsfshr
02-03-2005, 03:11 PM
#22
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I remember being a kid and having my mom buy me "quality" Sears Toughskin jeans, because the knees had patches on them and they were guaranteed not to wear through. Boy did I look like a DORK at school! 
My view of quality was based on a different set of parameters...
My view of quality was based on a different set of parameters...
02-03-2005, 03:35 PM
#23
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To tomcatt or anyone with foot problems -
I would suggest you buy a pair of New Balance series 1000 walking shoes and a pair of Sole Orthotics. You heat the sole orthotics in the microwafe and they form to your feet. If that doesn't work I think you have atleast given it your best shot.
I would suggest you buy a pair of New Balance series 1000 walking shoes and a pair of Sole Orthotics. You heat the sole orthotics in the microwafe and they form to your feet. If that doesn't work I think you have atleast given it your best shot.
02-03-2005, 03:37 PM
#24
Originally Posted by tomcatt' date='Feb 2 2005, 12:19 PM
OT - Speaking of shoes...
What's a good walking shoe? I've always worn sneakers, but lately it seems that every tennis/running/sneaker type of shoe has way too much padding around the foot, and up over and behind the ankles. It's almost as if these things are designed more for style than anything else.
My feet wind up feeling way too constricted (and yes I have them properly fitted when I buy them, even trying going up a size larger) as if the shoe is compressing them, and I wind up with a lot of aches in the ankles and soles, not to mention the toes. Add to that the fact that I occasionally have attacks of gout in my left big toe, and the task of finding a wearable shoe has become somewhat frustrating.
I'd love to once and for all find a non-work shoe that I can wear all day, walk in for miles, and not have any foot pain. I don't need a hiking boot type of shoe, although that might be an option if the fit is better than what's available in a sneaker type of shoe.
I did find a great shoe for driving the S. It's a Nike soccer shoe, with minimal padding and it allows great range of movement without constricting the feet and ankles. It's not something I'd want to spend a lot of time walking in though.
What's a good walking shoe? I've always worn sneakers, but lately it seems that every tennis/running/sneaker type of shoe has way too much padding around the foot, and up over and behind the ankles. It's almost as if these things are designed more for style than anything else.
My feet wind up feeling way too constricted (and yes I have them properly fitted when I buy them, even trying going up a size larger) as if the shoe is compressing them, and I wind up with a lot of aches in the ankles and soles, not to mention the toes. Add to that the fact that I occasionally have attacks of gout in my left big toe, and the task of finding a wearable shoe has become somewhat frustrating.
I'd love to once and for all find a non-work shoe that I can wear all day, walk in for miles, and not have any foot pain. I don't need a hiking boot type of shoe, although that might be an option if the fit is better than what's available in a sneaker type of shoe.
I did find a great shoe for driving the S. It's a Nike soccer shoe, with minimal padding and it allows great range of movement without constricting the feet and ankles. It's not something I'd want to spend a lot of time walking in though.
I find them a bit clunky, but they are comfortable. Rick prefers the New Balance running sneakers and wears them to work, and he is on his feet most of the day.
If you have a sporting goods store with a clerk that does plenty of running, they may be able to help you.
02-03-2005, 04:03 PM
#25
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by fltsfshr' date='Feb 3 2005, 06:10 PM
Product quality is what makes certain brands and promotes their longevity. In the clothing industry fashion changes with the wind several times a year, quality isn't always what people are looking for.
On the other hand certain brands have a reputation for quality. This often disappears when they begin to mass merchandise in Walmart or other major chains.
In the kids fashion industry, quality still counts. Especially if your product will last through several children. It seems to still count ito a degree the mens industry. I find the best quality in specialty aparrel like surfwear.
The womens fashion industry doesn't seem to work that way. I'm completely amazed when I walk through Saks women's departments and compare price to quality of fabric or manufacture. There are well made products out there but price doesn't necessarily denote how well it's made.
Price isn't everything that denotes value. Product alone doesn't denote value. Product and service denote value.
fltsfshr
On the other hand certain brands have a reputation for quality. This often disappears when they begin to mass merchandise in Walmart or other major chains.
In the kids fashion industry, quality still counts. Especially if your product will last through several children. It seems to still count ito a degree the mens industry. I find the best quality in specialty aparrel like surfwear.
The womens fashion industry doesn't seem to work that way. I'm completely amazed when I walk through Saks women's departments and compare price to quality of fabric or manufacture. There are well made products out there but price doesn't necessarily denote how well it's made.
Price isn't everything that denotes value. Product alone doesn't denote value. Product and service denote value.
fltsfshr
The woman's wear industry never revolved around quality in the traditional sense. The engine moving women's wear was fashion.
The men's wear industry traditionally had a greater emphasis on tailoring, and quality of construction. That was partly due to the fact that fashion was far less important. That changed a bit in the 60s and 70s when fashion became more important. At the same time quality (as in the construction or tailoring) became less important.
I wasn't aware that quality was even an issue in the children's wear industry except among the well to do. I had always heard that people traditionally shopped price because their kids would only be in the garment for a short time. Again, the exception is kidwear catered to the well to do. I am not all that familiar with the children's wear industry, all of my experience was in the men's wear and a little bit in women's wear. As I remember, Fast Suzy is in childrens wear, and so, I will yield to you.
02-03-2005, 07:25 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by PWRMKR' date='Feb 2 2005, 11:09 PM
It must be nice to buy with high quality in mind ALL the time. Good for you.
Really, I think the only things that are expensive enough that the average person can't always afford whatever quality he wants are houses and cars. And maybe kids ... I would have a hard time justifying clothes that last for ten years when they are going to be outgrown in a year or two, and some of the top schools are priced out of the range of many families.
02-03-2005, 08:34 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by ralper' date='Feb 2 2005, 04:02 AM
So, my question becomes this, are you willing to pay more for quality.
02-04-2005, 05:46 AM
#29
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Originally Posted by Warren J. Dew' date='Feb 3 2005, 08:25 PM
Well, there are also lots of things that I don't buy at all. We don't have cable; that saves probably $500-$1000 a year. We've got one ten year old television that we use only for watching tapes.
j/k
02-04-2005, 07:04 PM
#30
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Warren J. Dew' date='Feb 4 2005, 12:34 AM
Rob, I'm very interested in your answer to this question too.
Like all the rest of you, I too sometimes fall into the trap, and think that I can skimp on quality in order to save a few dollars. Interestingly, everytime I do that I learn a lesson. In the long run, buying quality may turn out cheaper. Every time I've bet against quality, I've lost.
So yes, I will always buy the best quality that I can afford, that offers me the utility that I want.