Do you buy the cheapest option or the most expensive?

[PersonAndStuff]

You've got a bunch of options laid out before on Amazon or some retailer. Do you splurge on the expensive version hoping you'll get quality or get the cheapest and hope it's okay.

I've gotten burned too much buying the cheapest so I usually something that is cheap but not the cheapest.

 

[LewieP]

Almost never go for the cheapest option if the second cheapest option has any kind of advantage. Similarly almost never go for the most expensive option if the second most expensive seems adequate for what I need. A lot of places have a bad value for money most expensive option specially targeting people with money to burn.

 

[Arex]

Disposable / one time use stuff, maybe go a little cheaper, but long term use, I don't mind paying more for quality.

 

[Kraid]

This is something that can't be a hard and fast rule.

 

[Shadybiz]

Really depends on what we're talking about. If I'm buying a computer that I'll be using all the time, I'll go for a higher end model. If I'm buying, I don't know, a stud finder that I'm going to use twice per year when hanging a picture, I'll go cheaper.

 

[Finale Fireworker]

Generally my family operates on a "second best is best" mentality. We don't get the most expensive class of anything, but we usually get the next best thing.

 

[zulux21]

I do research and aim for a blend of quality vs price

 

[It’s Time To Go]

It depends on what, but generally, I'd rather save up for say, a really nice tv or pair of headphones than compromise and get a cheaper pair that aren't as good.

 

[Acidote]

I do research and aim for a blend of quality vs price

Click to shrink...

I was just writing pretty much this.

 

[Reym]

I avoid cheapest, but won't bother with most expensive. Usually aim for a middle option.

 

[Deleted member 70788]

All depends.

I'm generally a buy it for life kind of person. I don't like the idea of disposable consumerism.

That said, there are plenty of items you just don't need to last. Specific tool for a repair I'll only do once? Cheap. Gear for a new hobby that I'm not sure I'll stick with? Not the cheapest, but something entry. Really depends.

 

[yongeandcollege]

Second cheapest.

 

[Jogi]

Depends entirely on what it is. There are so many variables tbh.

 

[Jarrod38]

I buy the most expensive item.

Just look what I bought today.

Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar Planets Tourbillon Hand Wind Watch AS300.40.AP.AK.A - $191,354.01

49% off retail price. Hours, Minutes Dial Rotating in 10 min on the Central Axis, Patented Differential Gears System; Rose Gold and Blue Lacquered Globe Rotating in 60 sec on 2 Axes; Flying Tourbil ...

slickdeals.net

 

[Brinbe]

depends on what it is

 

[MercuryLS]

Depends on what it is.

 

[PositivePolitique]

I conduct a cost-benefit analysis. For many things, buying the more expensive option saves me a lot of money in the long-run. This takes into account build quality, time saved from not having to replace, money saved from not having to replace, overall satisfaction, and a billion other variables. With something like a kitchen appliance, an iPhone, headphones, or a TV, I usually opt for a more expensive option if feasible.

 

[BasilZero]

I do research and aim for a blend of quality vs price

Click to shrink...

.

 

[Deleted member 9241]

I tend towards pricey on big ticket items and goldilocks for the rest.

 

[Gpsych]

While "depends" is essentially the correct answer here, as a rule of thumb I'll go for the "model" that is one grade below the most expensive. If there are 5 models, I'll for for #4 (where 5 is the most expensive, 1 is the least expensive). Generally, the highest price item, while better, usually results in diminishing returns.

 

[PeskyToaster]

now that I have money sometimes i just buy the best. Like my 77" OLED TV

 

[XMonkey]

I'll almost never buy the cheapest option since I'm a firm believer in getting what you pay for, but where the ideal spending amount is varies per item.

 

[MisterSnrub]

Tins of chopped tomatoes, baked beans, most fruit and vegetables, pulses, grains, rice etc etc - cheapest all the way. They're just ingredients, try to get the best price you can for bulk

Microwave/ready meals are usually pretty gross unless you buy the fancy ones, so I tend to wait until they are price-reduced/about to expire then freeze them

Hardware and technology I tend to buy something relatively expensive to future-proof myself and ensure I own something durable/not built-to-break

 

[Dali]

It depends. Am I buying bungee chords or cheese?

Because I don't play when it comes to cheese.

 

[TauraMelchior]

Generally my family operates on a "second best is best" mentality. We don't get the most expensive class of anything, but we usually get the next best thing.

Click to shrink...

I agree with this.

With almost everything, there is a place on the bell curve where you get the most value. Going past this usually means a drastic increase in price vs a marginal increase in quality/performance/etc.

 

[shinobi602]

Completely depends on the item I'm shopping for lol.

 

[Zippedpinhead]

there are so many things that you truly get what you pay for.

Most Clothes, but specifically shoes. You can buy practically monthly shoes for $20-40 that you wear through practically immediately (and hurt your posture and feet) OR you spend $110-200 on a really well put together shoe that lasts for years (and help with posture, gait and arches).

For some things, cheap doesn't bother me, but I tend to buy the more expensive option if presented.

 

[Goldenroad]

I consider the value more than the price for most things I purchase.

 

[Ouroboros]

middle of the road most of the time. I'm a man of simple needs.

 

[Faceless_Caesar]

Generally the best value option depending on what it is.

 

[Strike]

Combination of price and ratings.

 

[Wackamole]

Depends. I almost never go for the cheapest option as that is mostly the worst option.
The most expensive option is mostly for dumb people who have no idea they are paying way too much.
I want quality for a reasonable price. And in most cases that is possible. As long as you have some time to search.

 

[Eros]

lol this question is broad af

 

[StarStorm]

Depends on what I'm buying. Research it on quality/performance vs price. Usually not the cheapest nor the most expensive option.

 

[skillzilla81]

Really depends on what it is.

 

[gimmmick]

My last two cars purchased new, I went with the base model. My future purchase will be middle of the road with features.

 

[Wood Man]

If it's something I use a lot I'll spend money and get something nice.

 

[geomon]

Depends, if I can get close to the same quality of premium for a cheaper price, then I'm willing to go the cheaper route.

 

[lunarworks]

My microwave died the other day and I needed to get a new one. Models ranged between $65 and $600.

I got a $170 one.

 

[Falchion]

Totally depends on the item and my needs. Sometimes I go with the absolute cheapest option and sometimes I go more expensive routes.

 

[nsilvias]

The middle option. Don't wanna buy it twice so I try to buy it nice

 

[TaySan]

Electronics I always opt for quality. Others I try to find the middle ground, but I rarely ever opt for the cheapest option.

 

[DJConvoy]

I try to do research but if it's inconclusive, I tend to go with not the most expensive, but maybe second or third... in other words, not the most expensive, but also not the least

 

[Bradford]

I pay as much as I am hoping to get out of something.

There is no point in buying something for 5 bucks that I'm going to need to buy 45 replacements for. It is too much hassle. But I also am not buying premium gear or whatever off amazon. So when doing most of my shopping, I tend to lean on the expensive-but-not-most-expensive side.

 

[Inki]

I try to purchase the most expensive item before the giant price jump. So basically the high end of mid tier or bottom of higher tier.

 

[Elfgore]

If I can go low, I go low. I have a $12 wireless mouse for my PC, has the little fancy buttons on the side. Has worked fine for three years now.

When it comes to things that might be around longer and spending more can make sure they last longer, or I've been burned on them before, I'll spend more.

 

[Katharsios]

Nowadays they are all alibaba resellers.

So i go with the cheapest.

 

[Bear]

I probably lean a little bit higher tier than I did in years past. That said, it's entirely dependent on what it is.

 

[Siresly]

The cheapest tends to feel cheap, and the most expensive like it's for nerds. Both of questionable value.
I tend to go above what's considered the medium for consumer grade stuff.
With five options ordered from low to high price I'll typically go 3-4, depending on things.

I don't just hope that a particular item will be quality though, I do research first, check reviews and impressions, weigh and consider and contrast all the various features, drawbacks and their likely impact on and significance for my use case between the available options etc. Then I hope.

 

[The Albatross]

I buy the item with the fakest reviews