Inspired by this thread, specifically Airman Doors’s advice on why it’s important to shop for quality when buying a handgun.
Also inspired by my own experiences at my job: I work at an ophthalmology practice that specializes in LASIK surgery, and falls at the top end of the price range. I’m frequently shocked and frightened by people who balk at our pricing, even when I point out that our “competitors” are using the last-generation laser we were using ten years ago (and may well have bought from us when we upgraded!), which is demonstrably inferior in performance. Even before I worked in the business myself, I as a LASIK patient would never have dreamed of scrimping on something like my eyes. I only have one pair, after all, and they’re delicate things.
Another that I can think of is diapers. Having put four kids through diapers, I consider myself something of an expert on the available choices. My wife and I discovered that, for us at least, diapers weren’t worth scrimping on. The cheap (usually store-brand) diapers sucked. We had to either use literally twice as many of the cheaper diapers, or deal with leaky diapers and damp pants multiple times a day.
What are some other things that it just isn’t a good idea to try and go cheap on?
Although Bakersfield is quickly become a huge and advanced city in itself, plastic surgery is just starting to take off here. We’ve got a few surgeons, all of whom compete with one another through advertising specials.
I was at the hair salon and this woman was going on and on about how she got her boob job here in town for $1500! “Can you BELIEVE how cheap I got them for? It’s insane!” Oh, I could believe it when she stood up and lifted up her shirt- she may as well have had two grapefruit halves super glued to her chest.
Perhaps I’m crazy, but if I do decide to ever get any work done, I’m not cheaping out. You only get one body and once you’ve fucked it up, you’re screwed for life.
Mattresses
Tires
Perfume/cologne
Tequila and Single malt Scotch
Lawnmower/Edger/Trimmer (if, for nothing else, your back)
Haircuts
Medical care
Dress shoes
Guns and scopes
Motor oil
and, especially, whatever the butcher hands you.
I second LASIK. Those are my freaking eyes, man! Granted, some people just flat can’t afford to get it done at that price, but if you have that choice spend the money.
Guns, it depends. One of my favorite pistols cost $125 - price doesn’t always reflect quality but it’s frequently a warning sign.
I like some less expensive booze better than the more expensive, but once you hit “cheap” it’s mostly all bad.
Engagement/wedding rings. Given a choice between a small high-quality ring and a large crappy one, I’d get her the small one. Pretty much all jewelry, in my opinion. I don’t wear a lot, but what I wear is worn every day for years.
Tools. I hate cheap tools. They make bad jobs even worse, while a good tool can be worth its weight in gold in an emergency.
I came in here to say eye surgery. I had mine done almost ten years ago at Emory and I can’t believe other people (like my boyfriend) would ever cheap out on this. He cheaps out on everything, though, his whole family does.
I agree completely on the LASIK selection. I went with probably the most expensive around, and as it turns out, one of the best. Since having mine done, my normal optometrist has since referred patients whose eyes were messed up by “bargain” LASIK clinics to MY doctor to correct !
No, not at all. I’m not sure I can put the distinction into words, though. Cheap is just… cheap.
Adding to the list:
Don’t cheap out on fresh seafood. 'Specially shellfish. I don’t know how many of you have had the wonderful experience of straining to shit out your own skull, but it isn’t fun.
Ditto on tools. They don’t necessarily have to be expensive, but it’s generally worth it to get something with a lifetime guarantee. I don’t know how many phillips screwdrivers and crescent wrenches I’d thrown away before I learned that.
Agreed on the Scotch. However, I must confess to an unforgivable ignorance of the subtle distinctions on the tequila price/quality continuum. I just figured tequila’s purpose was to give my margarita/daiquiri mix that slightly chemical afterbite that you just can’t get from rum.
Ammunition. I’m appalled at the number of gun owners who spend a lot of money on a gun and then feed it the absolute cheapest crap ammo they can find. Why buy an $800+ AR-15 and then load it with East Humpistanian surplus ammo that has been poorly stored for the last 25 years? You like poor groups and inconsistent velocity?
This is kind of a nit-picky one, but I buy laundry detergent specifically for dark clothes. I wear a lot of black, and Mr. SCL wears cotton scrubs to work, usually in dark colors. Since I started using Cheer for Dark Colors, my jeans stay black and his scrubs don’t get that faded ashy look. It is expensive but less so than replacing his scrubs.
The trouble is that there are assumptions involved in the conclusion that more expensive = better. I have a friend who carefully researched all the available LASIK options about a year ago and went with the one that was most expensive (and said to be the best). He now reports significant “halos” from his right eye.
I think hardware vs. consumibles is a dichotomy you’ll find in a lot of hobbies. For example, I’m a guitarist, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen guys slap the cheapest, $5 sets of strings on their $3000 guitars. It’s like buying a Porsche 911, then filling its gas tank with kerosene.
