"You get what you pay for" or "You’re only paying for the name"
I know I have said both at some point or another - but which applies to what?
What is over priced hype and what really is value for money?
What would you not pay over the odds for and what would you not try and save money on?
Pain relief is one I thought of - supermarkets selling ibuprofen for less than 20p per pack next to branded versions for over a pound. I will buy both the supermarket ones and the branded ones and somehow think the branded ones will be just that bit better - even though I know the contents are just the same.
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You get what you pay for.
Sex God
Buy cheap.........buy twice.........
Sex God
Nice one PL, another thread that gets my blood boiling :taz:
To be honest, there did used to be a difference, in days gone by, spending money on a brand name was worth it because you were assured of quality over inferior brands. Alas that is no longer the case, and hasn’t been for quite some time
Case in point, the dreaded trainers (dreaded if you are a parent anyhow)
Without mentioning brands, (as I’m sure we all know who) there was a time when spending a little more than average on a pair of trainers (insert product of choice here, trainers being a mere example) meant that you were assured of a certain degree of quality and even robustness, and so where, in some cases prepared to fork out a few more shekels in the name of longevity and quality.
Some years ago, being the dad of dreaded teens I decided to do just that and purchased a pair of trainers that cost just short of £100 :shock:
Imagine my despair when my old dad found the exact same pair of trainers (without the logo) at the local market for , better quality, lasted about 6 months longer and carried a longer warranty than the branded pair :crazy:
Personally I think that the days of “you get what you pay for” have long been replaced by “I have MUG tattooed on my forehead” IMHO far too many top brand manufacturers rely heavily on reputation and ‘the trend’ whilst having their erstwhile top quality goods manufactured on the cheap.
Another case in point, a very good friend of mine recently proudly announced “my girlfriend just bought me this shirt for my birthday, cost her …………………….
:shock:
I really did not have the heart to tell him that I had the exact same shirt in the wardrobe that cost the staggering amount of at a well known supermarket :dunno:
There’s one born every minute :rascal:
To be honest, there did used to be a difference, in days gone by, spending money on a brand name was worth it because you were assured of quality over inferior brands. Alas that is no longer the case, and hasn’t been for quite some time
Case in point, the dreaded trainers (dreaded if you are a parent anyhow)
Without mentioning brands, (as I’m sure we all know who) there was a time when spending a little more than average on a pair of trainers (insert product of choice here, trainers being a mere example) meant that you were assured of a certain degree of quality and even robustness, and so where, in some cases prepared to fork out a few more shekels in the name of longevity and quality.
Some years ago, being the dad of dreaded teens I decided to do just that and purchased a pair of trainers that cost just short of £100 :shock:
Imagine my despair when my old dad found the exact same pair of trainers (without the logo) at the local market for , better quality, lasted about 6 months longer and carried a longer warranty than the branded pair :crazy:
Personally I think that the days of “you get what you pay for” have long been replaced by “I have MUG tattooed on my forehead” IMHO far too many top brand manufacturers rely heavily on reputation and ‘the trend’ whilst having their erstwhile top quality goods manufactured on the cheap.
Another case in point, a very good friend of mine recently proudly announced “my girlfriend just bought me this shirt for my birthday, cost her …………………….
:shock:
I really did not have the heart to tell him that I had the exact same shirt in the wardrobe that cost the staggering amount of at a well known supermarket :dunno:
There’s one born every minute :rascal:
Orgasminator
Dell servers and PCs are definitely worth the cash (and they're fairly competitive on price too).
I realised this the day I walked in to a branch office, asked to see the server I was supposed to be working on that day, and eventually found it, still running and in perfect working order, despite being buried in a mixture of plaster and sawdust about six inches deep. :shock: Apparently they'd had some building work done a week or two previously and nobody had bothered to close the door to the rack or to clean up afterwards.
I realised this the day I walked in to a branch office, asked to see the server I was supposed to be working on that day, and eventually found it, still running and in perfect working order, despite being buried in a mixture of plaster and sawdust about six inches deep. :shock: Apparently they'd had some building work done a week or two previously and nobody had bothered to close the door to the rack or to clean up afterwards.
Many electrical goods... videos, hi-fi's, LCD TV's, Plasma TV's & such like have major components manufactured by one company.
A blatant repackage with another name & the corresponding price hike that goes with it hacks me of!
But even when I do know this I must admit to being a brand name whore with some things!
A blatant repackage with another name & the corresponding price hike that goes with it hacks me of!
But even when I do know this I must admit to being a brand name whore with some things!
Sex 
If I ever paid for sex and they weren't exactlywhat they said and/or how they appeared in their photos then I'd either send them away or negotiate the rate
We have a pal that has paid for sex (no, honestly, we do
) and when I asked him why he did (he's a sexy, good looking fella that could get exactly what he wants for free), he said that sometimes he just wanted 'exactly what he felt like and that paying for it was almost a way of guaranteeing just that'... and, he went on to say 'at any rate, once it becomes a business 'deal' if I'm not happy with the 'goods' then I wouldn't pay for them' 
It certainly got me thinking about it in a different way :idea: He also said that some escorts he had used had appeared 'over-priced' and one had 'about as much functionality as a blow-up doll'... and was very 'sterile' in the way they went about things and yes, he really did negotiate the rate in this situation :shock:
Other than that, I like the genuine 'Head and Shoulders' shampoo as I've found the supermarket brands just don't work :P
If I ever paid for sex and they weren't exactlywhat they said and/or how they appeared in their photos then I'd either send them away or negotiate the rate
We have a pal that has paid for sex (no, honestly, we do
) and when I asked him why he did (he's a sexy, good looking fella that could get exactly what he wants for free), he said that sometimes he just wanted 'exactly what he felt like and that paying for it was almost a way of guaranteeing just that'... and, he went on to say 'at any rate, once it becomes a business 'deal' if I'm not happy with the 'goods' then I wouldn't pay for them' It certainly got me thinking about it in a different way :idea: He also said that some escorts he had used had appeared 'over-priced' and one had 'about as much functionality as a blow-up doll'... and was very 'sterile' in the way they went about things and yes, he really did negotiate the rate in this situation :shock:
Other than that, I like the genuine 'Head and Shoulders' shampoo as I've found the supermarket brands just don't work :P
Nice one PL- although im a little concerned because I was just about to post a thread called "Insist on the best?" or suchlike- asking exactly the same question! :shock: Spooooooky!
Anyway, I think there are very few occasions when paying for a big name = quality. In fact, one of the very few things I insist on buying the lead brand of is cornflakes!
I personally hate wearing anything with a logo. I am not a free advertising hoarding FFS!
I've been known to spend days traipsing round shops trying to find good sports (to be used for sports- theres a novelty!) wear not plastered in logos.
As for painkillers etc- I cannot remember ever buying branded ones. I read the pack- if it contains the same stuff- why pay more?
Anyway, I think there are very few occasions when paying for a big name = quality. In fact, one of the very few things I insist on buying the lead brand of is cornflakes!
I personally hate wearing anything with a logo. I am not a free advertising hoarding FFS!
I've been known to spend days traipsing round shops trying to find good sports (to be used for sports- theres a novelty!) wear not plastered in logos.
As for painkillers etc- I cannot remember ever buying branded ones. I read the pack- if it contains the same stuff- why pay more?
Sex God
Regarding the painkiller thing, there is absolutely no difference between the cheap versions and the brand name ones.
except the non brand name ones are generally about 10-20% of the price.
That ones not even really up for debate, its a fact.
But in other areas i suppose it varies, i find a lot of 5 pound bottles of wine to be every bit as good as a 20 pound bottle, and can never ever get my head round why anyone would buy a £1000+ bottle of wine, yeah its a vintage from 1972 or whatever, but can it really taste 200 times better than your fiver bottle!!!!!!
except the non brand name ones are generally about 10-20% of the price.
That ones not even really up for debate, its a fact.
But in other areas i suppose it varies, i find a lot of 5 pound bottles of wine to be every bit as good as a 20 pound bottle, and can never ever get my head round why anyone would buy a £1000+ bottle of wine, yeah its a vintage from 1972 or whatever, but can it really taste 200 times better than your fiver bottle!!!!!!
Quote by PoloLady
Fixed service charges!!!!!
Now that is a laugh – shouldn’t you be given the choice to add something extra if the service lives up to your expectations? What if the service is crap – you certainly don’t always get what you paid for when it comes to service!
This always pisses me off too
Maybe they should knock a few quid off everytime something fucks up. I know a few companies that would owe ME money at the end of the month then Quote by Pete_sw
...
Some years ago, being the dad of dreaded teens I decided to do just that and purchased a pair of trainers that cost just short of £100 :shock:
Imagine my despair when my old dad found the exact same pair of trainers (without the logo) at the local market for , better quality, lasted about 6 months longer and carried a longer warranty than the branded pair :crazy: ...
Another case in point, a very good friend of mine recently proudly announced “my girlfriend just bought me this shirt for my birthday, cost her …………………….
:shock:
I really did not have the heart to tell him that I had the exact same shirt in the wardrobe that cost the staggering amount of at a well known supermarket
There’s one born every minute :rascal:
I like shoes.
I have everything from a pair costing £(enter obscene amount here) to a £5 pair from Shoe Express - I buy them because I like them not for what name they are or how much they cost. In fact, I kind of like it when someone says "your shoes are fab" and I know I rooted out a bargain and paid £10 for them. I do however think some are much better quality that others and do love good Italian leather (oowwww soft leather) so for ones I will get the wear out of, I do like to pay more, but ... if I am only going to wear them once or twice - who really cares?
I saw a pair of real bobby dazzlers in a (shall we say) upmarket store. I 'needed' those shoes. Unfortunately I was on my way to a meeting and didn't have time to buy them. On my way back I passed a "stack 'um high - sell 'um cheap" shoe shop... "OMG, it's the same shoes!" I flitted back and forth between the two shops to check they were actually the same and not similar. The only difference was the name on the insole. First shop - £65 (in the sale). Second shop - (standard price). Needless to say I was not taken in by the snotty voice of the pompous sales assistant and the promise of a flash carrier bag and took my new footwear home in the plain blue plastic bag
Being involved in retail I can see that you cant get what you pay for these days...... I am offered goods that range in price for the same product but originate from the same place/ factory.
My thoughts on this are that theres far more manufacturers and suppliers compared to years gone by and people cant forget about the impact of the far east. These people can mass produce and send their goods to this country by ship and still offer iit cheaper than most home manufactured goods!
This has led to reliable brands (which were bought knowing we were paying a little more for but were of better quality) having to slash prices on certain goods or reduce Quality just to compete.
There is a lot of time and money going into the development of a product made in this country (guidelines and regulations to be met minimum wage etc) and once launched can be coppied and mass produced far more cheaper from over seas.
Thus the time for Brittish manufacturing is hard and many have been forced to stop production or move to an overseas opperation.
This being said a well known brand name can still command a higher price to a unknon one but strip the packaging back and the odds are they are the same product! People still buy the dearer choice thinking because they are paying more they are getting a better product.
In short nowadays you cant judge a product on price alone, check out the quality and work out if indeed you are getting what you are paying for? and you are happy to purchase at that price.
theres a good saying that rings true Buyer Beware
just a bit of a rant lol
Mr goodtimez
My thoughts on this are that theres far more manufacturers and suppliers compared to years gone by and people cant forget about the impact of the far east. These people can mass produce and send their goods to this country by ship and still offer iit cheaper than most home manufactured goods!
This has led to reliable brands (which were bought knowing we were paying a little more for but were of better quality) having to slash prices on certain goods or reduce Quality just to compete.
There is a lot of time and money going into the development of a product made in this country (guidelines and regulations to be met minimum wage etc) and once launched can be coppied and mass produced far more cheaper from over seas.
Thus the time for Brittish manufacturing is hard and many have been forced to stop production or move to an overseas opperation.
This being said a well known brand name can still command a higher price to a unknon one but strip the packaging back and the odds are they are the same product! People still buy the dearer choice thinking because they are paying more they are getting a better product.
In short nowadays you cant judge a product on price alone, check out the quality and work out if indeed you are getting what you are paying for? and you are happy to purchase at that price.
theres a good saying that rings true Buyer Beware
just a bit of a rant lol
Mr goodtimez
Quote by goodtimez
In short nowadays you cant judge a product on price alone, check out the quality and work out if indeed you are getting what you are paying for?
:thumbup:
It is surprising what information you can find on the internet - reviews and feedback on all sorts of products and services (without having to go out and buy 'Which' magazine).
For many purchases, the days of going by the name/promotion write-up alone are well and truly over if you want to get what you pay for.
I also recall a programme on television about (ermmm) well it had these designers featured in it. They were launching a new collection - £500-£1000 dresses. As D-Day approached they were panicking as the shipment for finished garments had not arrived from..... yep, India. When it did finally arrive, even they were appalled by the quality of some of the dresses and said they just couldn't sell them at the price they wanted to - so just threw a number of them away.
Casanova
Quote by Sgt Bilko
Beans!! :shock: :shock: :shock:
It can only be Heinz can't it??
That used to be the case in our house,but now it has to branston beans and they seem to be doing the rounds in various supermarkets so can always find them on offer somewhere
maybe i do spend too much time shopping!nicky
Quote by swing_fun_cpl
That used to be the case in our house,but now it has to branston beans and they seem to be doing the rounds in various supermarkets so can always find them on offer somewhere
nicky
Have you tried the Branston pickled onions?? :shock: OMG they are gorgeous :lickface:
I buy the shop's own brand as I dont think you can tell the difference with most stuff... Just a few exceptions but on the whole we are skinflints in this house :lol2:
Sex God
Maz here now,
Take the example of soap powder- the majority of brand names are actually all the same company and again the same product.
They are actually just packaged differently on purpose, and then the companies tell the shops where to place them on the shelves according to price, and what customers they expect to buy what.
i.e. the middle of the range product that get the most advertising get eye level position, the cheap n cheerful (which are actually the exact same product) get put to the lower shelves, and the supposedly higher quality powders go higher up on the shelf.
All the companies do this and they all have different levels of branding ( i couldn't tell you what companies are part of who ie persil fairy surf bold etc but it's one main company that make the majority and own the market.)
m xx
Take the example of soap powder- the majority of brand names are actually all the same company and again the same product.
They are actually just packaged differently on purpose, and then the companies tell the shops where to place them on the shelves according to price, and what customers they expect to buy what.
i.e. the middle of the range product that get the most advertising get eye level position, the cheap n cheerful (which are actually the exact same product) get put to the lower shelves, and the supposedly higher quality powders go higher up on the shelf.
All the companies do this and they all have different levels of branding ( i couldn't tell you what companies are part of who ie persil fairy surf bold etc but it's one main company that make the majority and own the market.)
m xx
Sex God
We're cheapos here too BUT it has to be heinz and it has to be Kellogs. I try not to scrimp on food unless I really have to as I am one who eats to live and not lives to eat so I usually have to tempt myself to eat and the only way I can do that is to buy things I KNOW I like.
Anything else like clothes etc is what I like for the best possible price. I don't own a designer label. I would'nt know one actually if it punched me on the nose.
Love
FIRE xx
Anything else like clothes etc is what I like for the best possible price. I don't own a designer label. I would'nt know one actually if it punched me on the nose.
Love
FIRE xx
Working in retail, like Goodtimez, (although possibly completly different sectors) I know how much a company actually buys in said items for.
We recently introduced our own brand into our shops. We have seated it next to more well known brands, and are obviously trained in how to sell it. It is cheaper then leading competitors, and just as good, if not better. So far so good for the consumer.
For every bag I sell at , it costs my company to market, produce and sell. Giving the company a whopping profit of !!! Not bad really. And the consumer thinks they are getting a good deal switching to an own label!!!
We recently introduced our own brand into our shops. We have seated it next to more well known brands, and are obviously trained in how to sell it. It is cheaper then leading competitors, and just as good, if not better. So far so good for the consumer.
For every bag I sell at , it costs my company to market, produce and sell. Giving the company a whopping profit of !!! Not bad really. And the consumer thinks they are getting a good deal switching to an own label!!!
Sex God
what about make up or perfume then?
Only wear Jean Paul Gautier perfume - I know, I know its 40 quid a bottle but the fake stuff is not the same
Only wear Jean Paul Gautier perfume - I know, I know its 40 quid a bottle but the fake stuff is not the same
Quote by hisandhers
what about make up or perfume then?
Only wear Jean Paul Gautier perfume - I know, I know its 40 quid a bottle but the fake stuff is not the same
Ah, good one. Anything under £10 for mascara is shite in my experience. There is a huge difference in how it goes on, wears and lasts. But there is no need to pay more than £20.
I do love my Dior eye-shadows too – but they apply better, wear better, last longer… they are worth every penny.
And when ever possible I do like to buy the parfum or eau de parfum (rather than an eau de toilette) in a fragrance – they do cost more but the fragrance stays true longer and needs to be applied less frequently because of the higher content of essential oils.
So I will pay more for fragrance and make-up as there is a noticeable difference in quality.
Sex God
Same here Polo, make up, perfume, skin care products etc, I only ever by good quality branded stuff, usually Origins, Estee Lauder, Chanel or Dior. They are fantastic, last longer, look better and generally feel nicer than cheaper ones.
Quote by swing_fun_cpl
Beans!! :shock: :shock: :shock:
It can only be Heinz can't it??
That used to be the case in our house,but now it has to branston beans and they seem to be doing the rounds in various supermarkets so can always find them on offer somewhere
maybe i do spend too much time shopping!nicky :thumbup:
