Shopping preferences. Quality versus low price.
By cristi12
@cristi12 (378)
Romania
March 6, 2008 8:46am CST
Since I've been working in a IT store, I couldn't help to notice people's tendencies twards merchandise with a lower price tag. Lol, that's obvious. But think about it, wouldn't you buy something a little more expensive, but with a higher quality assurance?
For example, we have right now on stock some 5.1 and 2.1 speaker systems, all inferior brands, and dirt cheap. The problem is, 30% of the speakers I sell are returned in 2 months. I actually asked a few people, If they wouldn't spring a few more bucks for a higher name brand, and avoid all the fuss, and most of them said yes. But people come in the store, and see two (apparently) identical speaker systems, but one cheaper... they usually go for the cheap one.
I asked my boss to stock some logitech or some other known brand, but he told me that these don't sell. They can be on stock for even a few months before being selled.
What about you, what do you prefer, when you buy something? Quality at a higher price, or something cheaper and less dependable? :)
2 people like this
4 responses
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
7 Mar 08
Well, it really depends because sometimes the higher prices don't necessarily translate into quality.
I guess it's important to be informed and learn about what we want to buy and then opt for the option that is the best for us - both in terms of quality and price.
It is true however that people tend to look for items that cost less and sometimes are not informed enough, they just look at the tag and think they're getting a good bargain.
On the other hand it's a good thing to look for when something we want is on sale, because it's possible to get that same thing for a lower price.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
7 Mar 08
Hi Cristi,
Is it possible that they don't know?
If there is a free flow of product knowledge, I think most companies will call it a day, workers will get sacked by the billions and Earth's economy will return to barter trade. :P
Given 2 products, one more expensive than the other, it is logical that the price (the lower, the better) would weigh quite heavily as a factor.
If I am the one buying, I would keep on looking and try to weigh the pros and cons. I would try to analyze which is more value for money.
But there are certain factors that are more important than price. For instance, if a product lacks something I want quite badly, I have no choice but to pay for the one with a heftier price tag.
Also, if I had known that I would need to return the product in 2 months' time, you can be assured that I won't even consider the product to start with!
So in the end, it is down the product knowledge. If we don't know the cons of this cheaper priced product, it is inevitable that we might get "tricked" and buy it... only to regret it later.
@Chey1970 (1186)
• United States
6 Mar 08
My ex husband always used to say, "You get what yo pay for".. but he was also the type if he had a $1.00 left in his pocket he would spend .99 cents just to spend it. *LOL*
If I am buying for myself, I will buy the lower price item. Yes, I am cheap! I am not an extravagant person, so my needs require very little for me to be happy.
However when buying for someone else, I tend to buy the better quality stuff.
@lionceak (65)
• Moldova
6 Mar 08
depends on the circumstances and on the funds you have . if you need something real bad but dont have the money to buy a higher quality good u'll buy something simmilar just cheaper. let's say u need a phone , and u dont have the money to buy one that's new, u'll get a older one just so u can start talking .. but to me quality is far more important
