We have a few threads going in which we are discussing quality. This is not new. In the past the subject of quality has come up and always proves to be a very popular topic. Generally, most everyone agrees that the decline in quality is bad, and that when given a choice, most everyone would be willing to pay more money in exchange for more quality. I wonder.

It seems we all, myself included, "talk the talk" when it comes to quality, but I'm not so sure we really do what we say. I think a few people touched on this in the other quality thread. Someone wrote that (to paraphrase) if we really wanted quality and were willing to pay for it, that is what the stores would supply. I tend to think that is true, at least to a certain degree.

So, my question becomes this, are you willing to pay more for quality. or are you content to buy less quality at a lower price. I think if we answer honestly, we're all going to be surprised.

 

To me, it would depend on the item. If it's my tennis shoes, I'll pay more for quality. If it's a trendy pair of shoes I don't really expect to be wearing in 2 years, I'll go for price. If it's flooring - quality. If it's a throw rug for the front hallway - price. I pay $75.00 a pair for jeans because I expect them to fit comfortably and well. On the other hand, I pay $10.00 for a shirt at Target because I probably will be wearing a different style, favorite color pallette, material in another year or 2.

 

Am I willing to pay more for quality - I would say "it depends" Wishy-washy answer I know - but it really does depend. For example - if it is something I care about, then yes I do buy quality. If it is something that will be obsolete in a few years - then no I don't.

To give examples - when we buy furniture, we don't go to the bargain basement stores, becauese we want it to last and look good for a long time.

However, I just bought a VCR - I spent $50. I don't care if it dies in a year - I'll go buy another - or buy a DVD recorder.

Another factor - if it has to do with safety - then I spend more money to get quality - i.e., I don't put cheap tires on my cars - I might save a couple of hundred dollars, but what is the downside risk? Arizona highways are littered with exploded tires in the summer - I don't want to be one of them.

 

I shop at WalMart all the time. But as my Dad used to say "It only costs a little more to go first class". So I go to Sears sometimes

 

 

As stated above, it depends on whether it's a short-term or long-term purchase. When it comes to suits, shirts, jackets, sweaters, shoes, I pay for quality. Jeans, I buy Levi's - they last long enough for me.

With furniture, quality definitely counts as much as comfort. I bought an Ekornes recliner because it'll last a long time, and it's one of the few recliners made for readers as opposed to TV watchers.

With appliances, anything over a hundred bucks or so requires a little research. I spent maybe an hour on google researching computer monitors before I bought one, and I was able to pick a monitor that suited my needs at a price point that I won't regret later on.

Of course, the most important purchase is chocolate. If I'm going to eat chocolate, it has to be GOOD chocolate. That means no Hershey's (sorry, tastes like cardboard to Europeans), and no fake Cadbury's (also made by Hershey, and tastes like it). Dove Promises are pretty good, but Cadbury's from Ireland or England is the best of the everyday stuff. If I want to get really crazy, I'll take a trip to Princeton, where I can get Valhrona, Belgian/German/Swiss chocolate, etc.

 

I'm with rj. Depends on the item. I'll spend the money for 100% cotton sheets with a high thread count, but will buy a lower quality quilt or bedspread because I like to get a new one (too) often.

I won't cheap out if it's an item related to safety.

 

For clothes I am happy to pay more so I don't have to sew them back together when the seams fall apart, and for towels, cars, sheets, luggage, etc. I will not pay more for a brand name item, like a bread or a cereal, if I can save $.40 by buying it at Walmart vs. the grocery store. I regularly hit Walmart for taffy, deoderant, chapstick and other things that Costco doesn't have but I won't buy my clothes there.

 

I chocolate.

Ritter is my current favorite that's somewhat widely available. We have a locally owned candy shop that makes fantastic chocolate that's very pricey, but it's worth it.

 

I play tennis or jog practically every day and have learned the hard way there are some things you better pay a premium for. I am talking about tennis and jogging shoes and socks. Around here high end shoes are only available in pro or specialty shops. I use only Thorlo socks which go for over $10 a pair.

I have had heel spurs, achilles pulls, calf tears, knee cartilege tears and hamstring pulls and I suspect most of it has been due to improper foot protection. Even if you have quality equipment it breaks down in time and needs to be replaced.

On a side note I checked my Prince tennis shoes and my New Balance running shoes and they were both made in China.