What are some items that really aren't worth paying the expensive version for?

3 years ago by Keith to c/asklemmy

I saw this post and wanted to ask the opposite. What are some items that really aren't worth paying the expensive version for? Preferably more extreme or unexpected examples.

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bluyonder 64 points 3 years ago

My rule of thumb: Buy the cheap one. If it wears out or breaks, buy the good one.

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MrAlpharius 15 points 3 years ago

For me actually the other way Around. There is a saying in Spain that says "el pobre siempre paga dos veces" that translates as "the poor always pays twice".

It refers to the fact that you buy something cheap that barely covers the need and after it breaks you are forced to buy the good one. This is specially important for hand tools or similar.

In my opinion, for using it a couple times is better renting/asking someone to let you use theirs. For several uses it is almost always better paying more for a better use and higher resell value.

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hawgietonight 7 points 3 years ago

On the other hand, if you are buying cheap it's usually because you aren't familiar with the product and it's characteristics. So you can take it as the price for learning about said product and what you really want from it.

For example, I got a cheap electric scooter for my wife on her birthday. We are new to these things, and didn't even know if we would use it at all. Fast forward a year and we have used the crap out of it, even the kids can't stop taking it out for a spin, and we now know what to look for and what sort of power and features we want when it comes time to replace it.

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MrAlpharius 2 points 3 years ago

That might be the perfect example for what I said. You have bought a cheap product that you ended up liking and when it tears up you are paying literally twice for the same product.

It is not that tou took a bad decision or that the buying twice applies to everyone everywhere and everything, it just says you are in fact paying twice for the same thing while some research might have saved that.

Don't take me wrong, this is not criticism, I've done it a thousand times but in my experience, for something I consider might REALLY need, get the good (not the best) option first.

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emergencyfood 5 points 3 years ago

There is a saying in Spain that says "el pobre siempre paga dos veces" that translates as "the poor always pays twice".

Ah, the boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness.

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HerbalGamer 1 point 3 years ago

Very much depends on what kind of things you're speaking of.

For example, the rule works very well with most tools; if you end up barely using it, it's not worth paying more. If it breaks, it's because you've used it enough or to warrant an expensive one, or because your needs exceed its use.

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