12-07-2003, 06:33 AM | #1 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Louisville, KY
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"Trading Up"
Well, I'm sitting here watching CBS's "Sunday Morning" while getting ready for church. I don't normally go, but I have an overwhelming desire to sing Christmas songs. Anyway, the last story was fascinating to me.
The subject was "Trading Up", an American phenomenon where middle class people buy a limited number of top-of-the-line luxury items. These items are in a category that the consumer values. For some people, it's a great car. Other women insist on their dream kitchen. These items are sometimes bought after scrimping in other categories, such as buying generic toliet paper or driving an older car. Do you "Trade up" on certain items? Compared to income, my roomate trades up on liquor. She will not drink cheap liquor. What do you think of this phenomenon? I personally think it must be uniquely American (International TFP-ers, feel free to dispute me if I'm wrong) I haven't formed my own opinion yet...I believe I'm going to read the book, aptly titled "Trading Up". Has anyone read it? All right, enough questions...discuss. |
12-07-2003, 07:20 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Tilted
Location: Yonder
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I've not read the book, nor did I see the news report.
I do feel that the American consumer, on a whole, is obsessed with bigger, better, faster. We're a country built on the backs of the common worker, where greed is the official religion and the Almighty Buck is our god. It's a shame. I trade up on my computer and body lotions. I'm a capitalist pig, I admit it.
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12-07-2003, 07:21 AM | #3 (permalink) |
Addict
Location: Kingston,Ontario
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I don't think there's anything "top of the line" that I buy. But I do buy quality stuff.
For example, I like to buy Crown Royale whiskey. I drive a Toyota Highlander. My home theatre system is all Sony. I didn't buy the high end JVC digital camcorder with 3 megapixel still capability, because I already have a 3 megapixel still camera, so I bought the JVC that just does great video. I don't think I have anything super luxery. |
12-07-2003, 09:11 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Ssssssssss
Location: Ontario
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There is always something that a person wants to have the best of. There are lots of consumer goods that people just need what is necessary, but everyone wants to have something that is better than anyone else has, something that sets them apart from the crowd. Basically a status symbol
The best example I can think of is I have a friend of mine who has a used, beat-up looking car. But he has put a couple thousand dollars into the stereo system for that car. The stereo is worth more than the car. It pretty much breaks down to "needs" and "wants". The car for him is a need (transportation to work) and the stereo system is a want (luxury item, status symbol) |
12-07-2003, 09:47 AM | #7 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Location: Louisville, KY
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Oh and I've seen Communism fail first-hand - this is not the way to a happy life. I trade up when it comes to technology - computer upgrades, better camera, an mp3 player, etc. and I'd rather be a content "capitalist pig" whose accomplishments mean something. There's a envious and bitter little communist in all of us, so I'm not judging anyone who feels consumerism is bad... it just doesn't make sense to me why they'd feel this way.
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12-07-2003, 10:25 AM | #8 (permalink) |
Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
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Trade up? No I make no sacrfices on any aspect of my life. I consume at an even keel. I don't yuppify my life either.
I buy the best quality that I can afford with consideration to quantitiy. So while I eat Hershey's chocolate, I do once in a while treat myself to something more upscale when the opportunity arises.
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12-07-2003, 11:44 AM | #10 (permalink) |
Drifting
Administrator
Location: Windy City
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If they had luxury toilet paper available at WalMart, I'd be in line to buy! But seriously, I think there's just some things that people savor. For me, I love to splurge on my hair since I'm frugal when it comes to clothes and makeup, for the most part.
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12-07-2003, 12:26 PM | #11 (permalink) | |
hovering in the distance
Location: the land of milk and honey
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Quote:
i suppose that i am picky, and there are a few things that i have a hard time, taking a lesser equivilent on, like i won't buy cheap cigarettes, and i prefer to buy the top of the line electronics, when they are needed, but i don't make a point to say " i am gonna buy single ply TP at Walmart for 5 yrs so i can buy this new car or whatever". |
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12-07-2003, 03:34 PM | #12 (permalink) |
Junkie
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I don't necessarily think this is a uniquely American trait. I think you'll find that "consumer awareness" or simple competitiveness for the latest and greatest item or fad is much more prevalent in Japan for example.
With regards to buying items that are "above your normal purchasing power", I'm sure nearly everyone does that sometimes. When I was growing up my parents used to only buy really good quality stuff. However, we were quite financially challenged (thank you very much, 1970's oil crisis!) when my father's business went bust and we nearly lost our house, home and contents on several ocassions. However my mother used to say "Why buy anything but the best?" So she would scrimp and save and do without until she could buy that Waterford Crystal set of glasses, that solid oak kitchen. And I mean, scrimp and save for years. Day to day stuff were considered just that. But high quality fancy goods (conceptually like the "good china", if you will) were always considered a worthy purchase. It's just that we had to do with shit for years before getting it. I'm slightly different. I make good money and due to growing up in an environment where we were poor (to be perfectly honest), I spend money hand over fist. This is my curse, as even now 15 years in the rat race, making more money than almost all my friends, I still have no house or investments to show. I have lots of nice, very expensive clothes, a lovely $60,000 car, a couple of hundred bottles of good wine... but I still rent an apartment. Oh well. At least I have good memories.... Mr Mephisto |
12-07-2003, 03:59 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
Another Ungrateful Bastard
Location: Inside the Beltway
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Quote:
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Former beach bum (now I do nothing) |
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12-07-2003, 04:44 PM | #15 (permalink) |
My future is coming on
Moderator Emeritus
Location: east of the sun and west of the moon
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I'm super spoiled when it comes to linens. My mom gave us nice high-thread-count sheets for our first anniversary, and there's no going back to 180 count percale after that.
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"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France |
12-07-2003, 05:15 PM | #16 (permalink) |
Float on.... Alright
Location: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, i.e. Oklahoma
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My friends, I trade up to keep the ones who are quality people and ditch the ones who aren't. My friends or choice in the qulality of my frioends has remained unchanged for quite awhile. I consider friendship to be a luxury and I should treat it as such, never taking it for granted.
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"I'm not even supposed to be here today." "I assure you we're open." |
12-07-2003, 07:46 PM | #17 (permalink) | |
Optimistic Skeptic
Location: Midway between a Beehive and Centennial
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I tend to be cheap on everything. I've never seen the value of a $1000 suit or a $60,000+ automobile. I have a 32" Toshiba TV I bought back in '96. It still works great. I have debated buying another, but I just can't bring myself to spend the money until the thing breaks and isn't worth repairing. If anything I tend to trade up on computers, but considering I replaced my Pentium II 266 Mhz computer this last Spring with a low end PC, I don'y consider myself an especially conspicuous consumer. |
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12-07-2003, 08:19 PM | #18 (permalink) |
Insane
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I think the real issue is differentiating between "trading up" for the sake of looking cooler, making some statement versus being willing to spend and value something that may cost more.
You're not necessarily "yuppifying" your life by spending more on something. I'd rather spend more on something if I know it will work well and I can count on it, be it a car, good pair of shoes, TV, computer, cell phone, etc. If I prefer Post raisin bran over the store bought crap and I'm willing to pay the difference, it doesn't make you a sell out...
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Thanks for the mammaries. |
12-08-2003, 02:15 AM | #19 (permalink) |
EVIL!
Location: Southwest of nowhere
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Most people try to keep up with the JONES. This has gone on as long as there have been JONES. Nothing wrong with getting better thing's in life. Shows you have good taste and have spent time researching the good buys. I feel the greatest luxaries in life are those that just make you feel good because you have them. The trouble comes when people buy way over their heads to impress other people, and end up filing chapter 13 to get out of debt.
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When all else fails, QUIT. |
12-08-2003, 05:48 AM | #21 (permalink) |
Banned
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I am a student with part-time job, but I keep up the same standards of living as my well-paid IT nerd live-in-bf. I usually buy cheap cosmetics and then go get still expensive designer clothes from sales. But I can take a cheap skirt rather than the designer one if it looks just as cool. The label isn't the thing but the style. I also drink red wines or drinks at bar, but can live with cereal, yoghurt and pasta when paycheck comes in 3 days..
The little luxuries of life make it worth living. So why not save in some other thing, better than living over the budget. If it really makes a person happy, then go for it, but if the point is to keep up with tje Jones, then it's not good. Oh yeah. Lingerie. Mmmmmmm. Gossard... Last edited by suviko; 12-08-2003 at 02:34 PM.. |
12-08-2003, 06:04 AM | #23 (permalink) | |
Pasture Bedtime
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Quote:
Good clothes feel different from the K-Mart knockoffs, which I used to wear. I buy quality razors, shampoo, deodorant, and aftershave. I don't waste money on cheap headphones or computer components. I DO buy cheapo soda and consumables whenever possible; if it's not going to be around long enough for me to enjoy it, why bother? I guess I'd say the same thing Cynthetiq did (I buy the best quality that I can afford with consideration to quantitiy.), although I'm not sure we mean exactly the same thing. |
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12-08-2003, 08:50 AM | #24 (permalink) |
Registered User
Location: Oklahoma
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When it is worth it to me, I will upgrade. I insist upon great computers and pretty good cars (just because I will have them for awhile). I spent a bit of money on a nice air conditioner when ours went out since it was a long-term investment. For my clothes, we shop at Walmart and other discount stores as they don't last long, and my wife and I aren't particularly worried about fashion.
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12-08-2003, 01:12 PM | #26 (permalink) |
Smithers, release the hounds
Location: Guatemala, Guatemala
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Personally, i tend to buy things for their quality instead of price or brand names. It´s all about feeling comfortable and secure with what you are buying.
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If I agreed with you we´d both be wrong |
12-08-2003, 06:37 PM | #28 (permalink) |
Crazy
Location: Dallas, Tx.
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There are several things I would rather do with out rather then buying cheap versions of. Alcohol and Meat are the two best examples I can think of. I dont really think of it as "trading up". I am just trying to enjoy life more. Its not really in my best interest do use large quanitys either one of those things. So I am better off drinking water and eating beans and rice until I want to make a special occasion out of filet mignon and 20 year old scotch. The infreqeuncy and the quality makes indulging all the pleasant.
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