Worth the Price: Do You Really Get What You Pay For?

By Karolyn Castaldo on August 20, 2012

Many of my fellow college students, myself included, tend to cheap out when it really counts. When we could be buying the top-of-the-line equipment for our favorite sport or activity, we shy away from the expense so that we’ll have enough left in our accounts to hit up Chipotle instead of the dining hall for the rest of the term. Then again, we buy more expensive brand-name products at the supermarket because we’re used to the labels that we see in our homes. Which way is the right way to shop in college?

Photo from Flickr.com by Phil and Pam

In my own life, I’ve noticed that the products I spend more money on generally last me longer, let me enjoy them more, and give me an all-around better “bang for my buck” experience. More than once, when I’ve bought the cheaper Forever 21 version of that cute skirt from a department store, I’ve wound up disappointed with a crappy product that’s too short, ripped, frayed or full of holes after only a few uses. When it comes to products that I really care about, namely my ski gear and clothes, I won’t hesitate to spend the extra money to get quality merchandise.

Of course, this isn’t the case with all cheaper products. The high-end stores want you to believe that their product is superior and therefore, that you must pay for their brand-name. It is not always the brand that dictates the quality of product. Obviously, a dependable brand will offer dependable product, but if you are unsure, read customer reviews first. Then, try buying one before you go all out and buy every product they sell. If you realize that whatever you bought from them didn’t last as long as the bargain-brand, stick to the cheaper product and don’t put such a hurt on your wallet.

There are some products that are definitely not worth the extra money and through your own search, you will weed through them. Try buying bargain-brand and name-brand at the same time and comparing. Whichever suits you better should be the one you stick with. Ladies, if you simply prefer the name-brand tampons over the no-namers, spend away! No one can tell you that they aren’t worth it if it’s what you’re more comfortable with.

So, do you really get what you pay for? The answer is, most of the time, at least when you put the work in. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and as such, you won’t figure out what products are worth the money on your first trip to the store. Give it time and you too shall understand what’s worth the price and what’s not!

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