Quality of goods- How much extra $?

[Russ]

Interesting thought based on Stinkbugs Thread here.

How much are you willing to pay for that extra quality that takes an item to "good quality"?

An extra 10% - 20% or more?

American mfgs, I'm sure can and do make a higher quality item in some cases, but when it comes down to brass tacks, who's willing to pay the premium vs the foreign competition?

Remember, this is Frugal Village.

[Jayne]

I would and have, but still got poor quality. That is why we bought and paid so much for the best of the best mattress and it still is crap..Makes one wonder if there is anything out there that is truely well made

[imagine]

Interesting question

One most marketing departments make before changing their size or quality of their product.

American Girl the doll company asked if people would be willing to pay more of the dolls. The market research came back a "No" so they changed how and were the dolls where made but still charge the same as I remember paying when I bought mine back in 1986. I can really tell the different between my 1986 one and my daughters new ones. Does she care ? Nope. and the market didn't seem to mind as they are still selling.

Land's End marketing ask the same question would you pay more for our classic shirt. The answer came back "No" so they lowered the quality a bit. The customers rebelled and complained. The next year they brought their quality back up to the way it was (back by popular demand they said) and raised the price. The market was happy with the return to the quality even with the raised price.


So me a little higher price is okay for quality goods that will last longer thus saving me money in the long run but the increase makes the budget hurt when those new things are needed.

[heartofmine]

I have found that there are just some things you are better off buying better quality even if it costs a little more.

As I mentioned on the other thread...if I watch store sales, use discounts and coupons often I can get the quality for about the same or sometimes even less by going to higher end stores.

[brennasmom]

I like to buy from places that have a absolute guarantee of their products. I spend more to by DS's jeans from Lands End because they will stand behind there product. LL Bean is the same way.

I will pay more for quality shoes as well... Just bought DD (hard to fit) tennis shoes that nearly made me faint at the price. But they are good fit wise and quality.

[nuisance26]

~This will probably sound crazy since I am so very tight with money, but 100% more. That's right, I'd pay and have paid twice as much for good quality jeans and shoes, electronics and toys regardless of where they were manufactured.
I'd rather acquire and own less good in good quality items than have a lot of poor to average quality things.
My investments have paid me back by being a delight to use and lasting longer than the cheap stuff.
Not everything Made in the USA is going to be better quality just because it's made here. I'm very motivated to buy American but not if the quality is bad.
I think you are also asking if the quality of items is the same and the USA Made cost more how much more would I be willing to pay? I'd say about 10%.
I think the US should not charge sales tax on items manufactured here. Just that little bit extra would draw attention to the issue, motivate businesses and customers.~

[Persimmon Lace]

I will pay more for American made products. I do a lot of research when buying bigger items like dh's welder. I paid about 100.00 more for but it was a better buy than the others too.

When it comes to food and hba items I always buy US made products. Remember to check the labels on everything!

[bumplett]

~ Not everything Made in the USA is going to be better quality just because it's made here. I'm very motivated to buy American but not if the quality is bad.
.~

I agree.

That is why I will only purchase & drive a Honda.



As for the question Russ, I can't answer with a specific amount because it would depend on what the item was -

Yes, I would be willing to pay more for quality in items like jeans & cars, but not so much in day to day items like laundry baskets and bookends. KWIM?

I think it comes back to an issue of higher quality lasting longer, thus people don't replace it as often, therefore someone's not making any money! If they produce crap, sell crap, we buy crap, crap breaks, we buy it again.

[shoiji]

At the thriftstore I will pay "more" for the higher quality clothes since I know it will last longer. As long as the item meets my criteria of being needed, good quality and looks new then I will buy it instead of looking for an item that is cheaper. I know people who will only buy a piece of clothing because it is $1. It usually looks like it is worth only $1 or less.

There are some items I will pay more for such as a good pair of shoes or sneakers. Getting older and the more support I can get the better. Am now in the habit of checking clearances for the next season when it comes to shoes. Sneakers I usually have to buy what I can find because of shoe size.

It really depends on what I am buying and how much I have to spend. I will save to purchase better quality. It all depends on doing your research. In the long run better quality definately pays off. However, if I need something to mix plaster I will not be looking for the most expensive container I can find because it is better quality.

[Momto5RN]

if its something that gets alot of use i will pay more for quality if i feel it will last longer as its actually cheaper in the end .

not necc always foreign vs american though

ie

i use key rings that have mini change style purses attached
usually about 3x4 inches- zips shut - holds ID ins card, debit card , some cash

this is my purse 75% of the time for work - running errands etc - only time i take a real purse is when i am hitting a mall or something where i want my purse with any store coupons etc .
i can buy one at JCP Boscovs - deb shop etc for about 10$ or less on sale - it lasts me about 3 months or so before it breaks somehow - thats 40$ a year

i can buy a name brand for 40$ on sale ( yes coach does have coupons ) and i have ones that are 4 years old and still going strong - i alternate colors with seasons but 4 years of 4-6 months per each one i have saved money over buying the cheaper ones

i wear white shirts for work with my scrub pants - i will but them from walmart on sale or clearance sometimes other stores if cheap enough ( under 5$ ) because they will be abused
stains from working - bleaching- seatbelt rub getting in and out of the car over and over in a short time period causes pilling etc
i dont think a higher $ / higher quality
item will survive that any better

[lottaLove]

I will pay extra for something that is obviously of better quality, or something that comes with a money back guarantee for the quality. No matter what it is that I'm buying, I really do have an expectation that it will last. I'd rather spend an extra $2.00 for the pkg of socks with reinforced soles, I know these won't get worn out as fast as the bargain bin socks with no reinforcement. I'd rather spend an extra $20 for a winter coat for DS that looks like it was made from quality materials, e.g. a metal zipper, instead of a cheaper one that the zipper will break on the first week that he wears it
Some things are not so obvious when it comes to quality, and you kind of have to live and learn and do your research before buying.

[Joshin]

I found that quality doesn't necessarily mean new or more money. Seems anything made in the last 10 years is meant to be disposable, regardless of the cost, where it was made or its supposed quality.

For example, We wanted a manual ice cream maker (hard to find, since most are cheapie electric models these days). I looked at the expensive new ones, but they were all made of plastic and I could look at them and just see where the stress cracks would form within a few uses. Found a metal stainless one, just like my mom's circa 1980 one, at a garage sale for $5. Cheaper than even the cheapest electric ones.

I generally won't spend more on a higher quality new item unless there is absolutely no way to get a better item for less used. I will pay extra for local food (not grown just in America, grown in my state), though.

[mndtrp]

I'm not even sure how to answer this question. It would depend on how long I expect to use something, how often I would use something, how much it would irritate me to have to repurchase, and whether or not safety is involved.

I'm perfectly okay with buying cheap sunglasses that will fall apart in two years, as opposed to Oakley's that have a full frame refund. On the flipside, I buy comfortable shoes that may cost a bit more than some generic cheapos.

[peanut]

See, and I view the little cheap things that are poorly made as the things nickel and diming me to death. So I'd go out and pay good money for a wicker laundry basket I know will last me a lifetime, versus a plastic one that lasts a few years, if that.

And I'm the person that will pay more for solid wood furniture and, once she gets it, won't let go of it, much to DH's dismay. Solid wood lasts.

BUT, I am also the person who buys the majority of her clothes on the cheap because fashions change and clothes wear out anyway. However, I am coming to realize quality in clothes is good IF you pick classic styles and fabrics that don't go out of fashion in one season.

[frugalfranny]

It would depend on how long I expect to use something, how often I would use something, how much it would irritate me to have to repurchase, and whether or not safety is involved.

I buy comfortable shoes that may cost a bit more than some generic cheapos.

I am sort of along this line too..........I will pay more for good comfortable walking shoes........but for summer time flip flops the cheaper are okay if padded decent.

I would gladly pay more for the CFL bulbs that are made in the US (if I could find any) since I just had a bad experience with a 'Made in China' one a couple weeks ago............safety factor involved here.

We have become such a 'disposable' society.........is anything REALLY made to last anymore?

It just comes down to what it is and how much more use I will get out of it if I pay more.