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

[babysaurus]

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...?!

I managed to justify buying Clark's boots over winter instead of cheap ones as I am very hard on shoes. I have only had to have them resoled once (which is good for me) and the uppers still look good so totally worth it as I was binning cheap ones after a few weeks.

I am all for quality but think that there is some justification for cheaper things - getting tired of looking at the same old thing you have and would love a new one but you can't because it's still good and cost so much money!

Mind you there is always ebay. Also of the opinion that any clothes will do DS now he is in school and wearing uniform his other clothes just don't get worn out at all so quality doesn't matter so much. Of course more expensive items can have their cost recouped if I ever got round to selling stuff!

apileofballyho I love eBay for precisely that!

Tangle teezers are fab

I don't think I'd bother to spend more in the hope of buying a longer lasting product because I find most things last a long time. I don't think I'd spend £35 on a brush.

The things I tend to end up replacing are electrical goods like kettles, computer-related items and TV-related items which tend to break after a while. And breakable crockery which I tend to drop. Also things like t-shirts which get damaged.

Ha! There is landfill AND the energy cost of manufacturing AND cheap labour for cheap product; oh, I could go on.
I am a hippy at heart .

Our sofa was expensive in 1996. It is still so good that I am considering having it reupholstered once DS4 is not quite so much of a sticky-handed snotmoster of a toddler rather than 'risking' getting a new one.

I can't afford to buy cheap.
I budget. And plan.
I have a little notebook in which I write things we'd like, need. At the moment is a little table by the door, for keys and clutter and rubbish. (I tried not having one, it's all on the floor by the door now).
So when I get the chance I go into shops and look at stuff. It will probably be bought in the summer sales, I try not to shop when the sales are not on.
I started with my wardrobe really. Had 10's of jumpers of really bad quality. So I started my clothes fund, every so often I would add a 5er or a tenner in a tin and then blow the lot on one jumper.

Having said everything I said, I'd not spend Mason Pearson type money on a brush - I just had a look .
I have a cheapo brush that has lasted me 20 years, I think it came from Boots, so that'll do.

But I enjoy well made things and am prepared to save and wait to get something nicer, rather than a cheapo version. That does not mean that I aspire to labels/certain brands either btw - the whole designer obsession thing annoys me too.
I am a grumpy hippy.

YANBU generally.
But... I had a friend with a Mason Pearson; she let me use it - gave my hair terrible static!
Another vote for the tangle teaser, plus a denman round barrel brush for me!

Buy shite buy twice. The ONLY decent thing my asshole ex taught me.