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AIBU?

To spend a lot on something that lasts years instead of similar on lots of cheaper items that don't last?

83 replies

babysaurus · 09/05/2013 21:12

This is a light hearted AIBU, please be gentle!

A friends daughter, 9, hates brushing her hair as its thick and brushing hurts it. She also fights having it washed for the same reason. Her mum has bought detangling sprays and lots of different brushes, "the last one cost me £8", but none have helped enough. I have a Mason Pearson brush which she used (I took it over for her to try) and the difference was amazing. Unfortunately these brushes cost £35+. My friend said she would (not could) pay that much for a brush as its ridiculous, but has prob spent at least that already on cheaper brands.

This prompted a lighthearted discussion with her over buying one off expensive products that last forever (my last Mason Pearson was a 12th birthday present and it lasted till I was 36) and her preference of buying cheaper things but on a regular basis (she has pans that look like Le Creuset but aren't, for example) because paying huge amounts for things when you can get an equivalent for less is apparently the way to go. (Not a purely financial decision.)

So, if you were there too, would you be agreeing with me or my friend...?!

OP posts:
ArbitraryUsername · 09/05/2013 21:15

It surely depends on whether you can afford the expensive item at the time.

Yamyoid · 09/05/2013 21:15

A bit of both. Tbh I'm probably more like your friend and would think £8 is enough to spend on a brush.

Boomba · 09/05/2013 21:15

its a toss up isnt it...because you dont always get the quality you pay for. And if you are skint, its a tough decision to make

That said, Id spend double that if it improved the hair brushing experience in our house! Grin

orangeandemons · 09/05/2013 21:18

But it's about upfront money. I wouldn't spend that much on a hairbrush ever. And dd has hair like Medusa, but I battle on with the good old tangle teaser, AND I resented the cost of that too

SprinkleLiberally · 09/05/2013 21:18

It depends. My pans were 9.50 for three and have done 10 years so far. Clothes I'd pull and spill anyway so wouldn't be an investment. Tbh I think it is easy to get sucked into doing one or the other religiously, when a combo of cheap and expensive is probably best.

ArbitraryUsername · 09/05/2013 21:19

I wouldn't spend £35 on a hairbrush because it old get lost in this house. You have to factor this sort of thing in.

babysaurus · 09/05/2013 21:20

I asked if it was purely due to not able to stretch to a larger one off payment as it did cross my mind, but she said it was because she 'didn't agree' with paying lots for something, esp like a hairbrush or pan.

OP posts:
invicta · 09/05/2013 21:24

I don't think I would spend £35 on a brush, but definitely would pay more for some items, but not others. Sometimes, paying more for a better item is cheaper then buying lots of cheaper products.

MogTheForgetfulCat · 09/05/2013 22:47

Generally I would prefer to buy something decent and likely to be long-lasting over something more flimsy and likely to conk out after not that much use. But you can't always tell from the cost alone - it's not simply the case that more expensive = better and longer-lasting. Also, I can't always justify the cost at the time.

noisytoys · 09/05/2013 22:53

I spend £1 on a hairbrush from wilkinsons and generally buy one every couple of years. A £35 brush would have to last 70 years to be value for money

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 09/05/2013 22:55

My comb came free with a 1991 copy of Mizz magazine. Is that bad?

PoppyWearer · 09/05/2013 22:58

A bit of both here too.

For example, I bought a "cheap" steam generator iron a couple of years ago to test whether it was worth it. With the plan to get a more expensive one in due course. And it's still going strong, longer than any other iron I've owned...and the one I had before that was the expensive Which? Best Buy.

But then we have Miele appliances and they are worth it, 100%.

Wouldn't a Tangle Teezer brush, £5 or £10 IIRC, do the job for your friend's DD?

Or you could buy her one for her next birthday, but say it counts as next five birthday presents?

fengirl1 · 09/05/2013 23:01

Dd1 has a waist-length mane of hair which is very thick (ponytail two to three times the thickness of other people's). A good brush is the only way - so that's what it has to be.... (She went to a festival last summer and didn't brush her hair for three days - it was matted and practically dreads when she came back!)

Iwantmybed · 09/05/2013 23:03

Funnily DH and I have this issue all the time. He believes in investments and you get what you pay for. I despise spending more than necessary, like a good bargain and hate feeling ripped off by brand power. This results in our spending being quite polar opposite. For example DH bought a laptop for £1k but I splashed out on an mp3 player for £2.60. It works well generally he gets good quality items that last well and I get items that do the job and can replace easily if they break.

Xmasbaby11 · 09/05/2013 23:06

I spend loads on kitchen stuff because I cook a lot and can feel the difference - good knives, for example, make slicing much easier.

I think with the things that are important to you, you notice the difference and are more willing to pay more for quality - if you can afford it.

pippibluestocking · 09/05/2013 23:07

What brush do you use Fen (DD similar though hair not waist length)

yaimee · 09/05/2013 23:08

One of my mum's teachers told her to 'always buy the best that you can afford' and my mum has carried this with her for life.
The teacher was talking about pans at the time I think but looking for the best quality product within your price range (not brands, just good quality materials and workmanship) is good life advice.
Me and my mum by almost everything second hand, but still look for good quality.

yaimee · 09/05/2013 23:12

Don't those hairbrushes come with a lifetime guarantee?

Littlehousesomewhere · 09/05/2013 23:39

Yanbu

But it depends if you actually can afford the paying for the more expensive item. But for moderately priced items like this brush I would most certainly.

Even if you needed to wait a month by saving £8 a week i would say most people would be able to do that.

missuswife · 10/05/2013 00:19

I buy the best I can afford. Buy cheap, buy twice. Oh and I mean best as in quality and value, not labels, IYSWIM.

molly199 · 10/05/2013 00:29

Why doesnt she got to the poundshop and buy thinning scissors, could help ease the problem

SquinkiesRule · 10/05/2013 01:50

I have a hairbrush I got when I was about 12, it's still like new a pure bristle on my grandmother got me for Christmas. I used it for many years and Dd used it too, you get whet you pay for. I spend a bit more on quality clothes too, for Dd they fit better and last longer. Occasionally I'll think something cheaper looks good and will try it, and find it doesn't wash as well or last as long.

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LittleFeileFooFoo · 10/05/2013 01:58

i like to spend the money and only buy the damn thing once! I detest shopping. DH would rather buy cheapo and do it over and over.

He buys shoes every 6 months while I have been wearing one pair of mine regularly since 1995.

OrangeFootedScrubfowl · 10/05/2013 02:13

Has she tried a tangle teezer?

cory · 10/05/2013 06:27

If she buys the £35 hairbrush she will have to watch it like a hawk for years to make sure her dd doesn't lose it, tread on it and break it, lend it to her best friend who loses it... It will take a lot longer for her dd to become independent in the matter of brushing her hair. If I had a 9yo I would be looking at equipment that I was happy for her to be in charge of.

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