When is it worth paying more?

[GonzoGamer]

Recently got bumped up on a flight. Not my first time in first class but I've never paid for it and never would. It's nice but those prices are absurd, even when they go overboard with massages and ice cream.
I've never bought a new car either. Why bother paying that much when you can get a cheaper model that's already been tested by the wider public?
Now I'm noticing how much "no frills" products I have in my home. Maybe I'm cheap but I compare prices in the store and will often go for the more thrifty alternative. Its probably because I grew up in poverty and if that's the case, my gauge is probably off.

When would you say its worth paying more?

And let's assume I'm not a complete fool: I wont buy a $10 ps4 off an ebay account from Hong Kong.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I'm willing to shell out a teeny bit more for the GOTY Edition of a game I've never owned. And I'm willing to pay a few bucks more for a long-distance bus ride if it'll get me a seat in single file. But I've never paid for a first class air ticket, and I still won't with this economy.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

There are lots of things worth paying more for. Take for example alcohol - making a mixed drink means you can easily cut down on the quality of ingredients without sacrificing much but if you want to drink the stuff straight paying more (often) is worth it. There are other things worth paying more for:

1) A bed - a good bed means you sleep better. Sleeping better improves all of life. Never go cheap on a bed because you will pay for being a miser every day until you get a better one.
2) Shoes - if you aren't in bed, you are probably wearing shoes. Get comfortable well fitting shoes. No one likes having sore feet after a three block walk.
3) Safety Equipment - It doesn't matter what kind of safety equipment. These are things that your life and health may well depend on. Don't cut corners here.

Just about everything else is in a category far more vague. For example, I paid far more for a backpacking tent than I could have because the features I wanted simply demanded a high price point. I could have made do with a 25 dollar 6 pound tent that wasn't great at keeping water out indefinitely but my 300 dollar 4 pound tent that is excellent at keeping water out offers such a huge value in comfort with every step (and every night when I sleep) that it was an easy choice to make.

 

[lechat]

violins and bows (archery)
probably goes for all hobbies and skills but if you buy at absolute bottom of the barrel quality you will struggle to learn or master any skill.

 

[TallanKhan]

Batteries, theatre tickets, food (in certain circumstances), suits, to name just a few.

 

[ecoho]

when paying more gets you more, or what you want. In my case ill pay more for say a collectors edition if I get physical merchandise like the guild wars 2 rylock statue and art. Hell I don't regret buying the collector edition of defiance even though the game is bad I get more out of the satchel bag that came with it then any other bag ive ever owned and its great quality.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

It's worth paying more for something that you plan on either using a lot or for a long time, or both.

I try never to cheap out on tools, because when you get a good set of tools, those will last you for the rest of your life.

I also try not to cheap out on experiences. I really like to travel abroad, and when I do I'm always willing to pay more to go to certain restaurants, or take specific tours, or anything like that, because chances are I my never end up in the same city again, so I might as well make the most of it, even if it costs a bit extra.

 

[tippy2k2]

It's worth paying more for something that you plan on either using a lot or for a long time, or both.

Well put.

Example Time!

I am currently in the market for a new set of golf clubs. I have two choices:

A. Buy the cheap set at Golf Galaxy for $200
B. Buy the pieces I need for my golf set and spending five times that amount (if I'm lucky)

I plan on using these things for a long time and (hopefully) often. If I buy the cheap set, they are not going to be as effective on the range. The ball will not travel as far or as straight. The clubs also may not last as long since the cheaper clubs are created on the cheap, with cheaper labor and cheaper material. It hurts now but spending four figures on my golf clubs now will save me loads of time and money later down the line.

Just about anything you use has that same exact plus and minus. It's up to each individual to determine when the plus outweighs the minus. For some, the new car's convenience and reliability is more precious to them than money. For some, the comfort of first class is more precious to them than money. It's all about your priorities.

 

[spartan231490]

Recently got bumped up on a flight. Not my first time in first class but I've never paid for it and never would. It's nice but those prices are absurd, even when they go overboard with massages and ice cream.
I've never bought a new car either. Why bother paying that much when you can get a cheaper model that's already been tested by the wider public?
Now I'm noticing how much "no frills" products I have in my home. Maybe I'm cheap but I compare prices in the store and will often go for the more thrifty alternative. Its probably because I grew up in poverty and if that's the case, my gauge is probably off.

When would you say its worth paying more?

And let's assume I'm not a complete fool: I wont buy a $10 ps4 off an ebay account from Hong Kong.

It sounds like it's less because you're poor and more because you're smart. Function over form. Also, never buy a new car, you can a year old model with hardly any miles for half the cost. Off-the-lot depreciation is obscene.

 

[jklinders]

Toilet paper. It just isn't worth it to scrub your backside in sandpaper when a for a couple of bucks more you can get the good stuff.

A bed. You spend about a third of your life in it, don't skimp. Seriously.

Kitchen Knives. A good set will last a lifetime and save you in the long run if you cook regularly (does that count?)

Steaks. I love a good steak and can barely be arsed to give the time of day to an inferior cut. If I am going to eat steak I'd rather pay a bit more than eat crap.

Not much else really comes to mind.

 

[Stryc9]

When it makes sense and is justified to you.

Pretty much this.

To be more specific. The difference between a $40 video card and a $300 video card is enough to merit spending more. For the most part though I buy stuff in the middle of the road price range.

 

[legend of duty]

Definitely go at least medium value on meat if you can. Also, any packaged food where you cannot see the product pass on it. Buying cars new is a joke; why would you spend so much money on something that will drop a quarter of its value in five minutes? And while not applicable for a lot of countries; price of college =/= level of quality. Definitely go high quality when it comes to your tent if you like to camp. I spent a little over two hundred for a Hennessy Hammock but it will keep you dry,bug free, and comfy.

 

[legend of duty]

Kitchen Knives. A good set will last a lifetime and save you in the long run if you cook regularly (does that count?)

Speak the truth! nothing is worse than dealing with cheap cookware every day.

 

[FPLOON]

-Blackjack and hookers
-GOTY versions of games I would have played beforehand, since I never liked the concept of DLC...
-Collector's or Limited Edition versions of games either made by companies I've positively trusted thus far and/or from a series I positively trusted thus far...
-Music by bands I love... (That list is smaller than I realized, it seems...)
-Combo packs to shows/movies I love and/or would want to show off to those who [still] lack a Blu-Ray player...

Everything else is more or less bought "smartly", I guess, so I can't tell if I'm paying more or less if I don't think about those "super expensive" and/or "super cheap" alternatives...

 

[jklinders]

Kitchen Knives. A good set will last a lifetime and save you in the long run if you cook regularly (does that count?)

Speak the truth! nothing is worse than dealing with cheap cookware every day.

I've got a beautiful set of heirloom pots that are older than my mom. Solid aluminum. I will never replace them, nothing I have ever used cooks like them. I need to save up for a proper set of forged knives. It will take a while, but I know it will be worth it.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Recently got bumped up on a flight. Not my first time in first class but I've never paid for it and never would. It's nice but those prices are absurd, even when they go overboard with massages and ice cream.
I've never bought a new car either. Why bother paying that much when you can get a cheaper model that's already been tested by the wider public?
Now I'm noticing how much "no frills" products I have in my home. Maybe I'm cheap but I compare prices in the store and will often go for the more thrifty alternative. Its probably because I grew up in poverty and if that's the case, my gauge is probably off.

When would you say its worth paying more?

And let's assume I'm not a complete fool: I wont buy a $10 ps4 off an ebay account from Hong Kong.

I would wager that, if you must indulge, spending a suitable amount on ladies of the night will save you a great deal in the long run.

Winter clothing like scarves, gloves and jackets should not be skimped on (shouldn't mindlessly spend on labels either, however). If you can, buy fit-for-purpose items here. Getting yourself an outdoor jacket will cost a little more, but it's specially designed to give you the maximum warmth and protection against the elements, rather than being an everyday garment. They'll last too.

Jeans/t-shirts etc can be bought cheap for little difference in quality, so fuck all the labels there.

 

[krazykidd]

Recently got bumped up on a flight. Not my first time in first class but I've never paid for it and never would. It's nice but those prices are absurd, even when they go overboard with massages and ice cream.
I've never bought a new car either. Why bother paying that much when you can get a cheaper model that's already been tested by the wider public?
Now I'm noticing how much "no frills" products I have in my home. Maybe I'm cheap but I compare prices in the store and will often go for the more thrifty alternative. Its probably because I grew up in poverty and if that's the case, my gauge is probably off.

When would you say its worth paying more?

And let's assume I'm not a complete fool: I wont buy a $10 ps4 off an ebay account from Hong Kong.

I think you're cheap. Or economical , depending on the point of view. Mine is cheap ( not that there is anything wrong with that).

OT: i never, ever buy things used. I hate the idea of using another persons hand-me-downs. Be it clothes , electronics, food. I just can't do it. If i'm getting something, it better damn well be new.... May e that's why i'm so poor.

Edit: this thread makes me think of this song