[disneysteve]

Another factor, especially with appliances and electronics, is features. We've found that added features affect price much more than added quality. We bought a new clothes dryer last year. When we were comparing the various models, that ranged considerably in price, we discovered that several models had identical mechanical specs in every regard. All that varied was the bells and whistles, extra cycles, variable volume on the buzzer, cosmetic differences, stuff like that. But the insides were all the same. So we bought the cheapest one they had that met our needs.

Another example - we bought an electric ice cream maker last year. We narrowed it down to 2 different Cuisnart models. I checked Consumer Reports and also reviewed the product specs online. Two of the models varied in price but I couldn't find anything different in the specs. I even called Cuisanart and asked what was different. It turned out the differences were all cosmetic, so we bought the cheaper one and saved some money.

Just remember that price doesn't equal quality. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. And sometimes all you get for more money is more features that you don't need and more things that can potentially break.