"you get what you pay for"

[Liopleurodon]

I'm going to second the point of diminishing returns. A good product is almost always worth it over a cheap product, but a luxury product is virtually never worth it over a good product. It also depends on your situation. For example, if you use tools to earn your living, then Snap-On is probably worth the price you pay for it, but for a homeowner who just does some DIY work occasionally, Craftsman hand tools will still last a lifetime. That kobalt crap from Lowe's is not worth saving the money to buy.

I've learned that if the items are fashionable or trendy (clothing, shoes, appliances, etc) then its never worth paying the premium. If the items generally are functional (paint, stain, sealer) then the premium is always worth it. Sherwin Williams is MUCH better than Behr paint.

[JoeP]

I'm going to second the point of diminishing returns. A good product is almost always worth it over a cheap product, but a luxury product is virtually never worth it over a good product. It also depends on your situation. For example, if you use tools to earn your living, then Snap-On is probably worth the price you pay for it, but for a homeowner who just does some DIY work occasionally, Craftsman hand tools will still last a lifetime. That kobalt crap from Lowe's is not worth saving the money to buy.

I've learned that if the items are fashionable or trendy (clothing, shoes, appliances, etc) then its never worth paying the premium. If the items generally are functional (paint, stain, sealer) then the premium is always worth it. Sherwin Williams is MUCH better than Behr paint.

LOL, the only Kobalt tools I own are an impact socket I needed, a caulk gun, and a screwdriver. I buy craftsman, dewalt, milwaukee. I run away from HF tools. My set of USA made Husky sockets is my most used, but I hate the fact that the ratchets were acting up...HD replaced for free with ratchets made in China! I have some old B&D power tools that are very good.

Funny you mention paint. I got criticized for buying a 5 gallon pail of Sherwin Williams primer for fresh drywall. I also got a few gallons of SW wall paint because I wanted it to last. I made the mistake of buying a quart of Behr ceiling paint for a small section and the difference in application and quality is very noticeable.

[bigdaddybus]

A good product is almost always worth it over a cheap product, but a luxury product is virtually never worth it over a good product.

I totally agree with this, though I do think there is a big variance in what people consider a good product.

Some things I dont go cheap on
1. Carpet and double padding (no thank you to the contractor grade stuff)
2. appliances (bigger washer/dryer/stove/fridge/etc with family of 6 as it saves us time
3. I am a Jack Daniels snob, other whiskeys just dont do it for me. honestly I have never tried premium whiskey
4. OEM car parts or better (I have been burnt by the cheapest alternator/battery etc in the past
5. cuts of meat (not a frequent thing, but a cheap steak not worth it to me)
6. ANDRIOD FTW, I'll let the wealthy people buy APPLE and pay for all their songs, apps, etc. lol

[dunnrobert700]

It is often true once you assume a discriminating buyer who carefully sought the best deal. More money will get you more quantity or quality and there is a point where if you don't have the money there are some things you simply cannot get.

That said, the converse of the above and the statement as often quoted by sellers, to suggest that a high price implies quality or worse if you take it as a guarantee...is patently false.

[Petunia 100]

Oh and I do think you get what you pay for when it comes to whiskey. One night I had cheap stuff and it burned my throat so bad going down! But I think most people that say they can tell the difference between vodkas (ie: Svedka vs Grey Goose) are lying.

No way. A drink made with Grey Goose is smooooooth. There is a big difference.

(I don't drink vodka straight; I like fuity drinks).

[disneysteve]

No way. A drink made with Grey Goose is smooooooth. There is a big difference.

There's a difference between cheap and good. There isn't much difference between good and "really good". From the $10 vodka to the $30 vodka, big difference. From the $30 to the $60, not so much.

[Petunia 100]

There's a difference between cheap and good. There isn't much difference between good and "really good". From the $10 vodka to the $30 vodka, big difference. From the $30 to the $60, not so much.

I don't know that I have ever had "really good" Vodka. I've had Grey Goose and Belvedere. Both make a fine drink.

[disneysteve]

I don't know that I have ever had "really good" Vodka. I've had Grey Goose

You're contradicting yourself. Grey Goose is one of the most expensive brands. Personally, I don't find it to be worth the price.

I just checked my local store.

Smirnoff - $19.29
Skyy - $21.00
Stoli - $31.00
Grey Goose - $55.00

I am fine with Smirnoff but do prefer Skyy, especially if having it straight. Stoli is equally fine and I happen to like Skyy better than Grey Goose. I see no reason to pay an extra $34.00 for it.

[Petunia 100]

You're contradicting yourself. Grey Goose is one of the most expensive brands. Personally, I don't find it to be worth the price.

I just checked my local store.

Smirnoff - $19.29
Skyy - $21.00
Stoli - $31.00
Grey Goose - $55.00

I am fine with Smirnoff but do prefer Skyy, especially if having it straight. Stoli is equally fine and I happen to like Skyy better than Grey Goose. I see no reason to pay an extra $34.00 for it.

I've paid $30 for the small bottles I have purchased. I bought a big bottle once for a gift, it was $50.

[disneysteve]

I've paid $30 for the small bottles I have purchased. I bought a big bottle once for a gift, it was $50.

Yep. It's a lot more expensive than other very good brands. I'd much rather have 2-1/2 bottles of Skyy than one bottle of Grey Goose.

[anabelmercedes77]

yes & no

You get what you pay for!

My opinion is that it depends on the product. What are you paying for? there are a lot of material things that yes if you go the "cheap" route it might not be the safest investment or the smartest. But then their are things that you can get in great deals or simply there are people trying to help people an give you a great price for the product.

[Petunia 100]

Yep. It's a lot more expensive than other very good brands. I'd much rather have 2-1/2 bottles of Skyy than one bottle of Grey Goose.

You should check out BevMo, if there are any near you. The 750ml bottle of Grey Goose is $29.98, $25.98 if you are a club member. The 750ml of Skyy is $16.99, $12.99 if you are a club member.

[disneysteve]

You should check out BevMo, if there are any near you. The 750ml bottle of Grey Goose is $29.98, $25.98 if you are a club member. The 750ml of Skyy is $16.99, $12.99 if you are a club member.

Despite my posts, I drink very little, and I have a patient who buys me a bottle of Absolut every year as a holiday gift. That more than takes care of me for the year.

I was just making the point, regarding the original topic of the thread, that the $16.99 bottle of Skyy is, in my opinion, just as good (or even better personally) than the $29.98 bottle of Grey Goose. More expensive isn't necessarily better.

[DRILLINDK]

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Or does it depend on what you are paying for?

100% AGREE!

[~bs]

Think we had a topic like this recently in the "frugal" section.

Generally speaking, yes. Because unless you are wasting money paying for an inferior product, a more expensive item also has more cost input into it. This is just a very rough example, but a $50 desk wholesale maybe has cost input of $30 by the manufacturer, and the rest is shipping and retail markup. A $100 desk maybe has cost input of $70, and the rest is shipping and retail markup. Higher cost input means higher quality materials and better workmanship (you would hope). This discounts the "brand name" effect, which also has value to people. You may pay $4 a case for coca cola, but only $2 a case for splarkly cola.

I have a $100 umbrella that I use when I walk to work if it rains. Sounds expensive, but it's around 13 years old and still going. I'd have to guess that if anything breaks on it, it would have to be the fabric. But assuming it doesn't get lost or stolen, probably good for another 10 years at the least. I've used $5 umbrellas that got destroyed in the first 20-30mph gust wind. I'd take the $100 umbrella any day over 20 $5 umbrellas bought repeatedly. Better functionality, and lasts forever.

You're contradicting yourself. Grey Goose is one of the most expensive brands. Personally, I don't find it to be worth the price.

I just checked my local store.

Smirnoff - $19.29
Skyy - $21.00
Stoli - $31.00
Grey Goose - $55.00

I am fine with Smirnoff but do prefer Skyy, especially if having it straight. Stoli is equally fine and I happen to like Skyy better than Grey Goose. I see no reason to pay an extra $34.00 for it.

Not a big vodka fan, but there's a large difference between plastic jug, glass bottle, and top shelf vodka. Think it's up to the drinker to determine whether the difference is worth the extra $34. Case of diminishing returns. For cars, making a car run the 1/4 mile in 13 seconds versus 14 is A LOT cheaper than making it run in 10 seconds from 11. Is it worth the extra speed/better taste? Up to the customer and his wallet. Might not mean much to someone who enjoys an occasional drink, but might mean more to a connoisseur.

I do like jack daniel and johnny walker though. Regular jack & johnny red are almost undrinkable, and need to be taken mixed or as a shot. Jack single barrel or johnny gold are very easy to drink on rocks.