| I've had "cheap" things that lasted forever it seemed, cheap things that didn't last minutes.... I've also had EXPENSIVE things that seem to last forever, and also I've had expensive things that died quickly. I've learned to look for quality, not price. I shop for value. I make mistakes now and then, my $500 van is at about $5000 invested after three years :( but then again, it gets me around just as well as a $30,000 new van would so it still comes out to be the better value. I hate the term "cheap". It's a subjective term. In another thread someone mentioned "cheap tires" were a bad value. I disagree. Michelin's top line tires for $35 each were "cheap" tires, but excellent value. When I bought tools, I learned quickly to look for the value. Spending more and getting higher quality is often worth it. OTOH, for a pair of pliers to serve a light duty job, the dollar store version work fine. Fit the cost to the need and get value. To buy a $20 pair of pliers to have in the drawer for occasional use is not a good value, though many would say they wouldn't mind spending the money there. But when you make your living using those tools on a construction site or as a mechanic, having the Brand X often is a poor value. Oh, and FWIW, to me, a $50 fan is not a "cheap" fan! I paid half that for the one in my kitchen. Installed it about 20 years ago and it's going strong. Quiet, efficient, and had the fourplex light unit included. Getting value requires some research, some knowledge, some common sense and reputable vendors. I'm not adverse to buying used. I realize that you win some and lose some, just like buying at a store. Sometimes you can bring them back to a store, even though it costs you. So there's no perfect solution. And no offense, but I'm curious.... did the FAN cause the shorting, or did improper installation cause it? I'm not sure how a properly installed fan could short out other wires in the house. If the fan itself shorted, the fuse/breaker would pop. Oh yeah, speaking of beds, I bought an expensive, good name one at a "closeout" though IMO was still very expensive and I've hated it since I got it. I get backaches from it. Too firm. Usually mattresses work in a little, this didn't. I want to get rid of it, but not sure what to get. Possibly an air mattress, but I'm hesitant of the mold issues, or a foam one which I've always liked since I worked in a furnature store as a teen. Maybe I'm fortunate, I like to think it's because I shop for value, but I really haven't been "stung" on many things overall. Generally I will say that buying a slightly better quality than I planned is usually a good investment but there's no hard and fast rules. So now that I've walked in circles... I'll move on! :) Happy shopping er, value hunting, all! |
