Branded Goods ≠ Better Quality
To download full report and disclaimer, Click Here
How most, including me, see good quality products is very absurd. Just because something is expensive, and displayed in a huge air-conditioned shop does not mean it will be better than other products available at cheaper prices.
The main reason we prefer going to these so-called ‘Branded shops’ is because; 1) Our own convenience 2) Herd behaviour
Going to shops with wide passageways is obviously more convenient. You don’t have to worry about being suffocated or sweating since there are air-conditioners in every corner. Some of these shops even have chairs or sofas in case you want to sit and relax. Moreover, most of these ‘branded shops’ are located in malls or main shopping areas. So if you want to buy multiple things like clothes, shoes, and jewelry, then all of it is available in one single place. But we often mix our convenience with good quality. Sometimes if you have the stamina to search for non-branded goods in the local markets, you may even end up with better quality. This is because non-branded products have a lot of variety, hence if you keep on searching you will eventually find better and cheaper goods.
Another reason which we fail to recognize is herd behaviour. Herd behaviour is very easy to understand as it happens all around us. If your wife’s friend got a very beautiful dress from a new shop, and now your wife is insisting to visit that shop, then this is called herd behaviour. This is a behaviour that most of us aren’t even aware of yet we practice it every day. Hence sometimes we are not really buying branded products for the sake of good quality, but just because someone from our social circle got it and now we want to as well just to show it off. But buying something just because others are, makes no sense! I mean, would you rather save for the next 10 years or spend that money to show off for 10 minutes?
However in the case of convenience, some people would rather put comfort over savings, but again don’t always do that. At times when you feel you have the time and strength, go look for cheaper good quality products. This may be a one time search because once you find a non-branded local shop with better quality and variety then you can go to the same person every single time. For example, I once visited this local market called “Plaza” located in Clifton. The first visit took me an hour to search for pants. However, now that I know where to go it just takes me 10 minutes and trust me I saved a lot by purchasing goods at half the price.
So don’t fall for ‘Branded Goods’. Be wise and go for better quality and cheaper goods!
