Personally, this stab at economic relativism aside, and all other things being equal (which they are), paying a markup of 200% or more for a fucking name is stupid. And wasteful. And shallow. And generally done by people who could make the world a better place by declining to further use up the oxygen in the atmosphere.
Thank you and good night, ya Mall victims…
Not realizing that different people value things differently is stupid, and shallow, and generaly done by people who could make the world a better place by declining to post idiotic comments to other posts that they don’t understand.
And, for another thing, it’s not wasteful. In fact, it’s what makes the entire economy work, you fuck. One person acquires something, adds value to it, and passes it off to another person who would rather have the thing than their money.
I must split a hair here. It’s different because it was manufactured by A&F, not because it was bought there. An outlet store, if you’re lucky enough to have one within driving distance, might have A&F t-shirts at a 40% or more markdown. They would be sent there because one thread missed the dye, or a seam is one millimeter out of true or something, but other than that, you get A&F quality at a Target price.
Outlet stores rule!
But Taxman, there is no intrinsic value there! It’s a goddamn piece of fabric sewn into the shape of a shirt. The only value added is added by brain-washed teenagers who see A&F’s ads and think it’s the coolest thing to have.
Maybe I’m just way too rational to buy into illusionary value.
Um, don’t confuse “I don’t know shit about economics” with “I’m just way too rational.”
Um, don’t confuse “I don’t know shit about economics” with “I’m just way too rational.”
A car is just a goddamn hunk of metal and rubber. People pay me loads of money an hour to say words on the phone and send emails to them.
(In other words, whether something has value is tested in the eyes of the consumer. It doesn’t matter what a third party (you)thinks.)
You are correct of course. People are willing to pay a premium for Abercrombie shirts because there is a certain image and prestige associated with the label and the look. How else would preppy upper-middle class kids identify each other?
I still don’t understand the animosity people feel towards people who buy the clothing, other than perhaps petty jealousy. If you can afford it, what’s wrong with paying extra for a certain look or style? I mean granted, the clothes look like the Derelict line from Zoolander, but it’s better than dressing like an actual homeless person.
I shop at both the Gap and Target. I don’t think stores should be mutually exclusive. If Abercrombie and Fitch or American Eagle is having a sale, I’ll check it out (I once got a skirt for $30 and a t-shirt for $8.25 this way). While I wouldn’t buy dressy clothes at Walmart, I might by a pair of khakis or a blouse there.
That A&F has inside! The ones made from deer antler? Where can I buy these? They look so cool!
I get clothes from American Eagle because I like some of the shirts they have… always from the clearance rack of course.
I don’t see the big deal about buying clothing that looks worn. You’re buying character. That’s what fashion is. When people buy and wear a really sharp suit, it projects something about them. Is that any more genuine than buying a hat that has a torn brim?
I just like the commercial running in the AE store where the guy is fixing his car with his $30-$40 shirt on. Yeah right!!
Next to every shop which sells absurdly priced seconds should sit a simple market stall selling those T-shirts which say
EI’m with stupid.
Funny how that finger’s pointing right at your username, moron.
GI’m with stupid.
Beg pardon.
Heh 
Really though, why is economic ignorance the most unfought form of ignorance on these boards? It drives me nuts (said the man with a steering wheel sticking out of his pants).
Come now, to poke a little fun at bovine adolescents frittering their money away on effectively second-hand clothes is hardly ignorance. Consumer spending does keep money sloshing around fluidly, agreed, but I don’t think anyone has disagreed on this point. The point is that spending the same amount of money irresponsibly helps the economy no more than using an atom of common sense in one’s shopping.
But of course, let them have their chimps’ tea party. It is not wrong, just stupid.
You’re wrong. You are saying that what these kids are doing is stupid when actually it is a perfectly rational and non-stupid thing for them to do. The reason you think it is stupid is that you don’t know shit about economics. You are economically ignorant.
More ignorance. The “responsibility” (or lack thereof) of one’s purchases can be measured only through such person’s eyes; any outside point of view on the purchase is absolutely meaningless. The kids that shop at A&F are using “common sense,” and you’re not.
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Well, at least you know when you’re out-matched.