桃花谈

[ngl2010]

sparks:

ngl2010:

I have been having thoughts about branded goods for sometimes. My mom refused to buy branded goods although she can well afford them. She said she feels guilty as this money can be donated to help other people (she did donate to individuals and charities).


So, is buying branded goods wrong?

I see no wrong in buying something you appreciate, branded or not.

But personally, I think it is superficial if a person buy stuff to 'look' higher status than others. I feel that they've become lost in the rat race. I know some who drive expensive cars that they can barely afford. Upgrade is easy. But downgrade is deemed as 'lose face'. They will try to keep up with appearances for as long as possible.

I am sure you'd be proud of your mom's humility & nobility.

I am indeed very proud of my mom and I really admire her. There is peer pressure to buy branded good but I know I will feel guilty because of my mom's teachings. I think the guilt will haunt me day and night such that I won't enjoy what I buy and I won't be at peace. But if I look around, even people I saw in MRT and bus also carry branded bags....

[ngl2010]

ChiefKiasu:

ngl2010:

I have been having thoughts about branded goods for sometimes. My mom refused to buy branded goods although she can well afford them. She said she feels guilty as this money can be donated to help other people (she did donate to individuals and charities).


So, is buying branded goods wrong?

There's nothing wrong with being frugal. In many cultures, especially like ours, it is a virtue. But there are many reasons for buying \"branded\" goods too. While they do carry an air of elitism and act as status symbols, branded goods usually carry with them high quality, durability and performance which are valued by those that can afford them. So to say that buying branded goods is a sin is also an oversimplification of the issue at hand.

A good bag may last 5 years but is the bag owner going to use it everyday for 5 years? I doubt so. So, I don't think we women buy branded bags/wallet/shoes for its quality, durability and performance. Maybe it is true for air-con, refridgerator, washing machine, etc. but definitely not for bags/wallets/shoes, etc.

[limlim]

ChiefKiasu:

While they do carry an air of elitism and act as status symbols, branded goods usually carry with them high quality, durability and performance which are valued by those that can afford them.

This.

When buying water heater, I get the branded Made-In-Singapore brand..

More expensive than the likes of mistral.. but more trustworthy and reliable..

fed up with mistral \"german quality\".... internal pipe can burst until the whole heater got water dripping out.. (of coz.. no longer using the heater function)

[ammonite]

ngl2010:

A good bag may last 5 years but is the bag owner going to use it everyday for 5 years? I doubt so. So, I don't think we women buy branded bags/wallet/shoes for its quality, durability and performance. Maybe it is true for air-con, refridgerator, washing machine, etc. but definitely not for bags/wallets/shoes, etc.

Not true. For me it is quality not quantity. Nothing as irritating as things that look nice but fall apart in a few months' time. All my bags and shoes go through heavy usage (aka abuse) and I look for replacements only when they fall apart.

[Dekora]

I guess you got to ask yourself why are u buying branded goods? If it is really just to keep up with the jones; then I guess there is no end to that and there weren’t be any contentment because there will always be a newer, more expensive item available and someone else in the street can afford while u can’t. But if it is to reward yourself for working hard (eg: getting your bonus) or for the quality, then don’t feel guilty about it.


For me, I used to be on the "status symbol" side but as I grew older, I still love my branded items heh but it is really more on appreciating them. I had an ex-colleague who was able to make a $10 sunglass frm bkk looked as though it cos it is really the confidence that matters ( and of course the rest of the package)

[Joule]

ngl2010:

ChiefKiasu:

[quote=\"ngl2010\"]I have been having thoughts about branded goods for sometimes. My mom refused to buy branded goods although she can well afford them. She said she feels guilty as this money can be donated to help other people (she did donate to individuals and charities).


So, is buying branded goods wrong?

There's nothing wrong with being frugal. In many cultures, especially like ours, it is a virtue. But there are many reasons for buying \"branded\" goods too. While they do carry an air of elitism and act as status symbols, branded goods usually carry with them high quality, durability and performance which are valued by those that can afford them. So to say that buying branded goods is a sin is also an oversimplification of the issue at hand.

A good bag may last 5 years but is the bag owner going to use it everyday for 5 years? I doubt so. So, I don't think we women buy branded bags/wallet/shoes for its quality, durability and performance. Maybe it is true for air-con, refridgerator, washing machine, etc. but definitely not for bags/wallets/shoes, etc.[/quote]aha

men are different

I wear my branded shoe for 5 yrs now

it is so comfortable

I hope to wear it for another 5 yrs

1 200 dollar pair of shoe that feels very good and last for 5 yrs may be just as good as a 40 dollar pair that last only for 1 yr

[Dreamgear]

What brand is that?

[insider]

hahaha…me not around for a few days (busy with my root canal and my son’s operation), this thread becomes shoes, bags, water heater, etc…


Oei!!

[Joule]

Dreamgear:

What brand is that?

start with B

[ChiefKiasu]

insider:

hahaha...me not around for a few days (busy with my root canal and my son's operation), this thread becomes shoes, bags, water heater, etc...


Oei!!

Your son having operation? Hope everything went smoothly and he is on the path to quick recovery.