Comparison The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten

[IndyJay]

How about this concept? We all know a person who paid too much for something but it’s also a piece of crap. Everyone knows it but him and he can’t stop talking about how great it is.

Reminds me of many years ago when wife and I were looking for a good used SUV. We were looking at one and I noticed paint overspray on the front left tire. I asked the salesman if it had been in a wreck and he replied, "No, why do you ask?". I pointed to the tire and as he leaned down to take a closer look he put his hand on the front bumper which literally fell off onto the ground. He pulled it back up without even missing a beat like he actually thought we hadn't noticed. He was still trying to sell us the SUV while holding the bumper up with his knee as we walked away laughing hysterically.

He couldn't stop talking about what a great vehicle it was.

 

[tacticalturnip]

How about this concept? We all know a person who paid too much for something but it’s also a piece of crap. Everyone knows it but him and he can’t stop talking about how great it is.

I don't even know you, and yet you attack me like this?!

 

[5030]

I don't even know you, and yet you attack me like this?!

Just a forum bub, ignore the demeaning comment and move on. Life is way too short to dwell on negativity.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Just a forum bub, ignore the demeaning comment and move on. Life is way too short to dwell on negativity.

My sense of humor may not translate well into text, but I was being nothing but facetious; thank you for the advice, however.

 

[IndyJay]

My sense of humor may not translate well into text, but I was being nothing but facetious; thank you for the advice, however.

I got it...
I thought he was talking about me!

 

[Ed Weber]

I have a small Massey (1635)
When we bought it used, we compared it to everything else we could find. The usual suspects were far too overpriced to even consider. Others in the price range had less features, fit and finish and/or capacities.
One thing that helped steer my decision may sound odd to some but the GPM on the hydraulic pump was a factor. On other machines of similar size you need to raise the RPM up far to high just to get any amount of acceptable working flow. I don't want to have to rev the engine just to lift the bucket.
So Here I am, years later still perfectly happy with my purchase. I had my reasons and needs for my choice as others do with theirs.

 

[scaredychicken]

A friend of mine made (what I call a bad decision) in January 2021, when covid had not yet impacted supply and service matters out here.

I'll call him Bob, and for various reasons, Bob is more secure buying NEW, although he can not afford it.

So, Jan 2021 - he has a blue 2018 Ford Escape (purchased NEW earlier), it is perfect for him, and I believe was AWD. He was happy with it after trading in a 2016 Ford Escort earlier. The Escape has about 38,000 kms on it, nice car, no concerns, still under warranty, and about 6 yrs left on the car loan (that he is struggling to afford). It eventually it needs some typical service and a check over. So he brings it back to the dealership, he was told that it needed a new battery (harsh winters) ... it would be about $400 plus tax. He can't afford that.
He meets a mutual friend for lunch that day, the friend is a car salesman from a nearby town.
By the end of their social lunch Bob is now on the dealership lot, looking at jeeps, test drives for fun, - our car salesman friend is apparently pretty good... an hour later, Bob has PURCHASED a BRAND NEW 2021 Jeep Compass 4x4 (uggh). The trade in gave him say $20,000, and the purchase was about $35,000 Cdn. Bob now has stretched the 6 yr car loan to 8.5 yrs, but is saving about $50 in the monthly payments.
I shook my head, and I'm not impressed with the ethics of our car salesman friend either. He knew that Bob had a perfectly good car, and a limited budget.

uggh, shakes head

meanwhile I buy quality used junk, for about $3000

 

[IndyJay]

A friend of mine made (what I call a bad decision) in January 2021, when covid had not yet impacted supply and service matters out here.

I'll call him Bob, and for various reasons, Bob is more secure buying NEW, although he can not afford it.

So, Jan 2021 - he has a blue 2018 Ford Escape (purchased NEW earlier), it is perfect for him, and I believe was AWD. He was happy with it after trading in a 2016 Ford Escort earlier. The Escape has about 38,000 kms on it, nice car, no concerns, still under warranty, and about 6 yrs left on the car loan (that he is struggling to afford). It eventually it needs some typical service and a check over. So he brings it back to the dealership, he was told that it needed a new battery (harsh winters) ... it would be about $400 plus tax. He can't afford that.
He meets a mutual friend for lunch that day, the friend is a car salesman from a nearby town.
By the end of their social lunch Bob is now on the dealership lot, looking at jeeps, test drives for fun, - our car salesman friend is apparently pretty good... an hour later, Bob has PURCHASED a BRAND NEW 2021 Jeep Compass 4x4 (uggh). The trade in gave him say $20,000, and the purchase was about $35,000 Cdn. Bob now has stretched the 6 yr car loan to 8.5 yrs, but is saving about $50 in the monthly payments.
I shook my head, and I'm not impressed with the ethics of our car salesman friend either. He knew that Bob had a perfectly good car, and a limited budget.

uggh, shakes head

meanwhile I buy quality used junk, for about $3000

It amazes me how many people trade in for a new model before paying off the one they have. My wife and I paid off the first car we bought together many, many years ago and kept banking the payment. Every car we have bought since has been cash. Owning and maintaining a car becomes very affordable when you don't have to make monthly payments!

 

[scaredychicken]

Exactly, and you can purchase BCAA / Auto Plan Memberships to cover roadside assistance and breakdowns. I suggested that to Bob also

I have too many vehicles

In the past year or so (though the method was not my intent, it met my purpose) ... I was on the lookout for a small commuter car ... it needed to be 2 door, Hatchback, Automatic, small economic engine, affordable, 4x4, all year daily driver, reasonable condition and kms, Higher than a Civic, Lower than a Jeep. Basically a Unicorn...
- sold my '91 Honda Civic hatchback, 1.6L (too low, a struggle after 4 yrs) - made some money
- bought an '04 Toyota Rav 4, awd, 4 dr, auto, 2.6L (?) - not the goal, but a suitable replacement, 6 months later I sold it to tenant who needed a vehicle - made some money
- bought an '04 Hyundai Santa Fe, awd, 4 dr, auto, 2.7L, - again, not the goal, but a cheap option - sold it last month, and more than doubled my money
- bought a '90 GMC Tracker, 2 dr, auto, 4x4, hatch, 1.6L - something like this was the GOAL - These things are overpriced because of Demand, but I had cash-flowed the purchase. Not perfect, but it will get there.

 

[hornett22]

I never considered JD when I bought either of my tractors. Next time I buy one, I still won't.