Quality Not Quantity

[tgavin71]

For the most part the old saying of buying quality not quantity is frugal. But how do you know what quality is.
Without going into brand names how do you decide the quality of an item. With clothing and linens. Is it the stitching, the material.
WHat about furniture. Etc etc etc.
How about electronics?

What are your determining factors of quality.

I'd like to start buying more quality items to replace the make do stuff that I have been slowing getting rid of.

[cschin4]

I think "quality" is overrated. I buy based on what will serve my needs. Sometimes a cheaper version is more than adequate of whatever it is. And, I don't want to get locked into keeping something "forever" because I paid alot of money for it. Most of the time, things get out of date, you just want something new, etc. So, I really don't see the reason to buy the top of the line stuff because chances are I will want to move on to something else down the road anyway.
As for good furniture. I just buy what I like and what feels comfortable. I have found that cheap sofas are often not very comfortable. So, I did spend a little more for our present sofa. But, I was not going to over spend either.

[disneysteve]

I don't think quality is necessarily overrated, but I know what you mean, cschin4. There are times when you need good quality and there are times when you don't.

How do I judge quality? It really depends on the item in question. The answer will be different for clothing than it is for cookware or cars or electronics. Some of picking items will come from physically checking them out in the store. Some will come from recommendations from others or from Consumer Reports reviews. And sometimes we just pick the one we like best.

Is buying based on quality more frugal? Sometimes, but only if it is an item that you expect will get heavy use and needs to hold up well. For example, we spend very little on my daughter's clothing because she grows so rapidly that she outgrows things long before she can wear them out. The quality just doesn't matter. We'd rather get stuff at Wal-Mart and Target for a few dollars. It serves its purpose and goes to Goodwill within a few months. On the other hand, I have dress shirts that I've had for 15 years and they get worn on a regular basis. Quality is much more important for something I expect to have that long.

[boefixepa]

I think this is were research comes in and you have to weigh quality vs. price. Most things I don't need high quality on. However, when I do I lean on those with years of experience to let me know what would be a good buy. Consumer reports are a good place to start. Also talk to people. Those with similar tastes would be another need. When it comes to funiture I think that you and waste alot of money on this if you are not careful. Pick quality that with last the test of TIME. Pick natural, neutral colors, basic classic designs and you should be able to out last the lastest fad.

Electronics I will not waste money on. No matter how much you spend you will be able to get something cheeper and better in a few years. So get something that meets your needs at the least possible cost.

If it is not a key item that will be used and abused on a regular bases, then you don't need a high quality item. That $200.00 drill, which only gets used 4 times a year, is no savings over the $40.00 one. Now if you use it for 6 hours everyday as part of your job making a living and you'd kill the $40 one every week, that's when you pay up for the better quality.

It's all a balencing game we all play. It comes down to each person and how they would use the item.

[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.

[bjl584]

Well, I work in the manufacturing industry, and I can tell you that quality is expected in this day and age. Things are expected to be made well, or they will not be around very long in the marketplace. Most items today are built with quality and durability in mind. There are items of higher quality and higher precision. For instance, a run of the mill kitchen table is most likely soundly constructed and will last many years. However, if you want to upgrade due to personal preferance you can go buy a handmade oak table. It will have better quality and workmanship. It will also be considerably more expensive. However, for general use either will probably hold up for a long time. The same is true with things like cars. A Honda will get you anywhere that you want to go for years and years. You could choose to buy a BMW and it will do the same thing. Basic automotive technology hasn't changed much in many years. The internal combustion engine is a 100 year old idea. Both vehicles are built well. The BMW will have more options and features, but in the end it can't get you to work and better than the Honda will. It all comes down to personal preference in many cases. Whether it be for status or just personal choice. Most of what you buy today has a much higher degree of quality than products did several years ago no matter what it is.

[cschin4]

Today I bought a rice cooker for $15. I could have spent over $100 on a high tech, automatic, bells and whistles cooker. But, for me, it is just rice. So, I really don't see the reason to purchase the "quality" brand. I will give this a try and I really find it a useful addition to my kitchen, then I may purchase a better one down the line. Usually I find that I use something for a while, the novelty wears off, and then I am back to old habits and the same old things.

[PrincessPerky]

a rice cooker for 15 dollars? I actually have no idea how much things cost, I use mine several times a week, and I NEED a bigger one, and I have put off getting one, because I am afraid of the cost...course your 15$ one might not stand up to my use....

but I have to second the try cheap sometimes, I wanted a yogurt maker, and afte many many failed attempts I finally gave it away...hope the next user is a better chef than I....any wish I hadn't had such an expensive model to find I was a terrible cook at it, though then maybe if it was a cheap on eI would have blamed the maker not my skills..or maybe a cheap one would assume I am lousy at it and make the method foolproof! I want a yogurt maker like the bread maker, pour in ingredients, ignore till it beeps!

[shengmei]

Well, I find that most of the things I can find at Wal-mart and Target break down within six months, so I avoid shopping at such places.

I mostly determine quality by where I purchase the stuff.

I don't like shopping for "quality" for decorative stuff. In fact I don't like to shop for decorative stuff at all. I think decoration is overrated.

I try to avoid buying things without touching them, since a lot of times good quality stuff just feels better. They are usually much heavier and sturdier.

IKEA makes excellent furniture.

[cschin4]

I buy most things at Walmart. I have never had any problem with things breaking down. Alot of "quality" stuff really isn't but just packaged to appeal to our sense wanting something "better, premium, higher quality" etc. Many things just have a nicer box.

[shelbylovesmelby]

I think it depends if you are looking at things that are more durable if you are willing to spend the money for quality or not + what your finances are

But alot of times quality is out of reach for some of us.

As I had wanted a new bedroom set & I wanted real wood not this photo finished panneling junk. We walked into two places & walked right out! $5,000 for a bed frame w/ foot & head board. I'm sorry but I can't drop $5k.

Like w/ electronics we go w/ cheaper or middle of the road lines as things get outdated so fast it's not worth being the first person to have this or that. My uncle is like that, he had a portable dvd player back before anyone even knew what a cd was nonetheless a dvd... but can he use it now? possibly, but he's moved on to the next latest & greatest item.

[cschin4]

The best place to find a nice bedroom set is at an estate auction. I purchased my sons' bedroom set (2 twin beds, dresser w/mirror, nightstand, chest of drawers) for about $400 at auction. But, you have to be prepared to haul it home with you on the same day you buy it. Their set is maple. I purchased a cherry dresser, chest of drawers, night stand and mirrors for about the same price. Then, I went to the local furniture store and found a cherry stained head board that matched my set for $75. Go to some auctions and get comfortable. Keep an open mind on what may work for you.

[Bookie]

Anybody notice this article on the connection between expectation and perceived quality? Seems timely for this discussion.


Link to the resource.

[tinapbeana]

bookie! seems like i haven't seen you around in a while, but maybe i've just not been looking...

the placebo effect in the article is way too funny and i think explains a lot about the consumer mentality we see in some folks. then again, the implications it makes about the effects (and effectiveness!) of long term exposure to advertising are a little scary.

[disneysteve]

Great article Bookie. It shows how brainwashed people are into thinking that if an item comes from a certain store, it must be better quality. Or if it costs the most, it must be the best quality.

You can get quality merchandise at Wal-Mart or Target or Neiman Marcus, but you'll pay a heck of a lot less at the first two. People who insist on shopping only at the "top" stores are fooling themselves, just like the people who thought the expensive sports drink was better than the discounted one.

[shengmei]

Well, I am not sure Wal-Mart is cheaper than Neiman Marcus. Of course the original retail price is cheaper, but I try very hard to buy nothing on retail. Wal-Mart never goes on sale. Neiman Marcus goes 90% off all the time.

I once had a friend who works in the plastics industry explain to me the differences between the materials used in Rubbermaid and Sterlite. I was surprised that a lot of things you think are the same are actually different. My Rubbermaid containers had lasted me a good five years. My sterlite containers cracked and had sharp edges. They had to be thrown away.

As far as sports drinks go. I know one sports drink that has 1000% daily nutrient allowances of vitamins. It was like a vitamin pack in a bottle. All of the drinks in a typical grocery store would be of similar price and quality, but there are professsional grade stuff out there.

I think it is important to dilligently read reviews. A lot of times the best quality is not found in the highest priced, but in the mid-price-range products.

[shengmei]

I forgot to mention one thing, though....Cheaper, lower-quality things sometimes have a more classic timeless design and they are more basic, which I prefer, especially when it comes in terms of electronics. I have a $40 stereo which I prefer over my BIL's $5000 model.

I prefer cheap eyeshadows because I apply them with a wet brush. When I buy the expensive brands sometimes they are too highly-pigmented for me.

I prefer buying khakis at Target, because they are the only ones still carrying a classic basic design.

I prefer the cheap cat tree and clay cat litter at Wal-Mart. I rarely go to Wal-Mart but if I do I stock up on them. The cats love tearing apart the cheap cat tree and they prefer the cheap ones over the expensive ones. The cats also prefer a plain clay litter ($2 per 60 lbs) instead of the highly fragranced fancy chemical-y cat litters out there. Plain cat litters are much healthier for them than fragranced models. The cats also seem to prefer the cheap canned cat food from Wal-Mart than anything I can buy them at the health food store.

I prefer the cheap $20 area rugs at Wal-Mart over the $500 area rug in Saks Fifth Avenue, because they have a shorter looser pile and weave and thus they are easier to clean.

If you want quality, you should get the best (and often heaviest) thing you can get. However, sometimes you just want something basic and easy to work with. In which case something cheap will do.

[lrjohnson]

Originally Posted by tgavin71

Without going into brand names how do you decide the quality of an item. With clothing and linens. Is it the stitching, the material.
WHat about furniture. Etc etc etc.
How about electronics?

For clothes I look at the material (I prefer non made made material-cotton, etc.) I am not savvy enough to really look at stiching, etc. There are some brands I have had a good experience with-clothes loooking great after years.

Buying used clothes can really help here, believe it or not. If it's been throuh a few washings and the seams are still tight and the fabric looks good and it hasn't pilled, etc., it's a good sign to me that the quality is decent or better. Poor quality clothes don't make it to used racks looking good, even if they look fine on new racks.

Sheets, I go with cotton and a high thread count, at least 300. They seem to last a very long time.

Electronics/computer related I do an internet search and ask tech savvy friends. I just bought muy Guy a cheaper mp3 player that had very high ratings, so it was good value, and as Steve mentioned, I looked at features more than brand or price before I narrowd down. I knew what I needed as far as features and what would be nice, and it helped my search.

Furniture: I prefer older vintage furniture. I buy one piece every two or three years, and expect to have these a long time. If I am looking at garage sales, etc., I go for all wood and avoid press board, etc. I would get some IKEA if it was close to me.

Originally Posted by tgavin71

I'd like to start buying more quality items to replace the make do stuff that I have been slowing getting rid of.

I totally understand. That's what I have been doing with furniture for years. I will get by meeting my basic needs until "the" item comes along. I have bookcases I have used for 20 years (bought as a teenager, all unfinished pine). I have a nice armoire and vanity that are vintage-old wood just looks so warm, very different to me from new furniture, even very nice new fuirniture, I can't explain it. I won't buy anything new or pricey I don't like. We used a funky kitchen table with a tabelcoth for years until I got a beautiful hadn me down oak round table.

What has worked for me here is just being patient, and taking one step at a time. I recently, well two yeard ago, started buying some nicer shoes that cost more. I may buy one pair a year. I don't worry about repalcing all my cheap stuff at once.

And, to be sure, there are some items I don't mind being cheap at all. My goal isn't to replace all cheap items, just replace items I don't like as much or that aren't sturdy/beautiful etc.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by shengmei

A lot of times the best quality is not found in the highest priced, but in the mid-price-range products.

This is very true. If you read Consumer Reports, very rarely do they give their top rating to the priciest items in the category. As I said earlier, sometimes all you get with the more expensive items is bells and whistles and more things that can break or go wrong.

[DC?]

I agree with the idea that investing in quality is really only important for those items that you would like to use regularly or keep around for some time. For instance, I would rather spend a lot on high quality furniture than "disposable" furniture that gradually falls apart. That said, people's tastes change and the conservative look isn't as popular as it once was.

Another thing to keep in mind is you don't need to pay for needless "features". While I would like the luxury of an expensive espresso machine, my $30.00 glass coffee press makes wonderful coffee and doesn't even use electricity.