Cheaper Doesn't Always Mean Better!

ClassicRockr

ClassicRockr

Well-known Member
Ever say/think this?

I remember for a few years we bought my tennis shoes at Wal Mart. The price went up from $9 to $12 during those years. Never gave it a thought about buy those shoes somewhere else. Wife even bought hers there. We noticed two things, with the last 2 pairs bought: they were only lasting about 6 months before a tear would happen AND my feet were starting to hurt when I'd wear them. Went to a "high end" shoe store at the Mall and the salesman told me to buy a better quality of shoe.........not at Wal Mart. In April of 2013, went to Sears and found a nice pair for me at "half off" the original cost of $80. So, it was $40 and I'm still wearing them with no tears...........a year/half later!

We do buy our food, except meat and milk, at Wal Mart. They also handle the only brand of white t-shirt I like to wear and my wife has bought some Turtle Necks there that haven't "worn to a frazzle"!

Unfortunately, many retired Seniors can afford the "costly/better" stuff. Some don't have nice Pension's coming in and have to live off of a "fixed income". But, there are cases, when, even us, have to go with the "higher costing/better buy.

What do you think?
 

Well... there is that old saying "Ya get what ya pay for".. But I don't believe that's entirely true. Some things are just fine in generic or house brand. As for shoes.. I admit to having a few pairs of WalMart tennis shoes.. because I liked the colors and I switch off.. I also have Nike and New Balance... As for everyday shoes.. I wear a brand name... Clarks.. because their size 7 fits me the best of any other size 7 I have found. They just do.. but again they cost a bit more.
 
Very true, cheaper isn't usually better that's for sure, but, one thing that it worked to my benefit for, the best two pair of shoes that don't cause me issues when I walk, are two pair of the least expensive shoes I've ever bought and I'm so sad that I will be wearing them out soon. I have foot issues and difficulty finding shoes that don't cause problems and I've tried many brands. New balance for the most part has some that serve me well, but not always, I have several pairs of clarks, and they don't really work for me like they used to.

Years ago, I had another cheapie pair of flip flops that I bought at Walmart, wore those till they just said leave me alone, I can't hold you up anymore, they were so comfortable, but, as usual, couldn't get another pair, the line was discontinued, had them for four years. I have some expensive brands, but they haven't lived up to my less expensive ones. I have dozens of nice shoes that I'm going to be donating, some I've only worn once or twice, they felt great in the store, but, wearing them to walk more than a block or two doesn't work. I have learned why some people love crocs though, the pair I have aren't the ugly clogs, but, I do need to get another pair, but, still my most comfortable shoes so far are the teal and black pairs of these jelly shoes I got from the dollar general store. My feet never hurt after wearing them, that is quite an accomplishment in comfortable shoes for my feet. I wish they made them in other colors.

Walmart, I generally shop there for some groceries and other minor household items, but the groceries prices have skyrocketed to the point that I just as well stick with Publix for most items other than things like deodorant, hair care, pharmacy goods.
 

Use to buy my Wilson Sports Over-the-Calf socks at Wal Mart, but they don't carry them anymore. I have order from the Wilson website and that's fine.

Have an old battery tester for testing small batteries (AAA, 9V, AA, etc.). Don't remember where we got it, but it was cheap (under $10) and, b/c of the age, not nearly as accurate as it use to be. Found a nice battery tester at Radio Shack for $15, that we will get.

Now, will admit, even though I done this Thread and have said the name of the Thread numerous times, there ARE times that a person can get something cheap and good........even great! Doesn't happen much, but does happen.

Another saying is, "You get what you pay for". Want an "above average-to-great steak, don't go to Denny's, go to Longhorn Steakhouse! Want the same in seafood, it's Red Lobster time! Oh yea, when a person is really hungry, their tv ads can really sell you.
 
I went shopping last Friday, about 40 miles away from this small town. I stopped at Kohl's first and found a pair of jeans for $7.00 that fit better than any jeans I ever had. They had several racks of 80% off clothes which my daughter who lives close says they usually do. I then went to JC Penny and found another pair of jeans for $4.00. And then off o Sears where the $6.00 hirt I liked was free if I applied for a credit card. I then took the money I saved and had a nice dinner out at a restaurant I usually can't afford. Cheaper is not always better, but higher is not always better either. Depends on the person's taste and physical condition. As for shoes I have a pair of "Blowfish" bought on sale that I have worn all summer. They feel as though I am going barefoot, which I love since my feet is the one part of me that hasn't started to disintergrate!
 
I have wide/big feet for a woman, and when I was working a lot I had issues with Plantar Fasciitis, but now that I'm retired and not on my feet all day on cement floors, things are much better. I've always went with New Balance or Saucony sneakers, they're pricier than the cheaper brands, but to me having my feet comfortable and cushioned is pretty important. I still try to wait for sales before I buy things like that.

I buy cheap pocket tee shirts and sweatpants sometimes at Walmart, but it seems like they get thinner and thinner over the years. Went to Sears early this year and picked up some nice Russell Athletic pocket tees for $5 each, and some RA sweats for $10. Unfortunately, it looks like those things have been discontinued there. Sears is probably going to shut down completely soon anyway.
 
I don't shop as much as I used to but when I do I will shop for clothing mostly at places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross. There was a time I worked for a pricey boutique and wore a lot of their clothing, (kind of a requirement,) which was well made so, I do still like to make sure it's quality over quantity no matter where I shop. Macy's nor Dillards are what they used to be, but they still have some quality items that once and a while I've found a nice sale on. And I can't stand the clothing in Target, but, others seem to rave about it, first time I went in one of their stores to look at the clothing, I couldn't get out fast enough.
 
I agree that generally speaking cheaper is not better.Especially for footwear which is important. For other things,[apart from clothes] it's good to save money, and if you get a good deal on it, then why not? We don't have Walmarts here, but there are things called Pound shops [do you have Dollar shops?] you can pick up some excellent buys for a pound.There are also charity [thrift] shops where again you can buy all sorts of things cheaply.I have a mixture of things, both cheap and pricey.
 
Oakapple that reminds me of an article I read from 2012 which says "For example, Dollar General (DG), which just announced plans to open 625 stores this year, noted recently that its fastest growing customer segment is shoppers who earn more than $70,000 a year. And Dollar Tree (DLTR) was called out by Kantar Retail as one of the country's fast-growing retailers in a December report." Since than depending on whose web site you are on there has been a downturn in their store growth. Sadly I am not one of those with an income over $70,000.

 
I no longer partake in such income, no where near it actually these days, so I wish those of you that do would leave DG to us little people. :D They need to stick with Whole Foods and Walgreens. I'm kidding, well sorta. :playful:
 

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