Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

Bill O'Rights · 06-07-2009, 08:30 PM

There was once a time, and not so very long ago, that when certain companies put their name or their logo on a product, that you could be assured of it's quality. Sadly, I believe those days are gone. I recently took my son to buy his first rod and reel. We picked up a couple of Zebco 33s. My first one lasted me for almost 20 years. The ones that we just bought will get us through two or three years...tops. Dockers, that uniform of corporate America, used to be synonymous with quality. I had a Dockers belt that had lasted me for years. I replaced it's replacement just a couple of months ago. My wife bought me a pair of Dockers brand slippers two Christmases ago. I wore them twice before I had to reinforce the stitching on top. Even thier signature pants are a mere shadow of thier former selves. So, Dockers now = crap. I have even found that Zippo lighters aren't made to same exacting standards that we smokers have come to respect. Even Craftsman isn't immune. I bought a new socket set, to keep in my Explorer. The sockets are ok, but the ratchet is nowhere near as good as the one that I bought 20 some years ago. It's still good. But it's not as good.

Thing is...I don't mind paying more for quality. If I am purchasing an item that I will be using on a daily, or at least a routine basis, I will pay extra for an item that is built to last. I was taught, and I've come to experience, that you get what you pay for. Is that no longer the case? Has the Walmart mentality of more for less finally ruined us? Is the only way for companies, that used to produce quality goods, to compete is to lower their standards to that of their competitors, and keep the price at a comparible level.

Am I alone here? Would you be willing to pay a higher pricetag for a quality product? Or, is cheap the thing? Are there any manufacturers, that you used to respect, that just aren't measuring up to their reputations or your expectations. Or, do you just not even have any expectations.

06-07-2009, 08:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Is quality a thing of the past? There was once a time, and not so very long ago, that when certain companies put their name or their logo on a product, that you could be assured of it's quality. Sadly, I believe those days are gone. I recently took my son to buy his first rod and reel. We picked up a couple of Zebco 33s. My first one lasted me for almost 20 years. The ones that we just bought will get us through two or three years...tops. Dockers, that uniform of corporate America, used to be synonymous with quality. I had a Dockers belt that had lasted me for years. I replaced it's replacement just a couple of months ago. My wife bought me a pair of Dockers brand slippers two Christmases ago. I wore them twice before I had to reinforce the stitching on top. Even thier signature pants are a mere shadow of thier former selves. So, Dockers now = crap. I have even found that Zippo lighters aren't made to same exacting standards that we smokers have come to respect. Even Craftsman isn't immune. I bought a new socket set, to keep in my Explorer. The sockets are ok, but the ratchet is nowhere near as good as the one that I bought 20 some years ago. It's still good. But it's not as good. Thing is...I don't mind paying more for quality. If I am purchasing an item that I will be using on a daily, or at least a routine basis, I will pay extra for an item that is built to last. I was taught, and I've come to experience, that you get what you pay for. Is that no longer the case? Has the Walmart mentality of more for less finally ruined us? Is the only way for companies, that used to produce quality goods, to compete is to lower their standards to that of their competitors, and keep the price at a comparible level. Am I alone here? Would you be willing to pay a higher pricetag for a quality product? Or, is cheap the thing? Are there any manufacturers, that you used to respect, that just aren't measuring up to their reputations or your expectations. Or, do you just not even have any expectations. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.