Re: VENT: Oooh, Bargains! Good Buys! Good Deals! - NOT!

On May 22, 8:10 am, Dr.Sm...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I see a lot of these kinds of posts on this group (and one sees them
on any kind of craft/hobby discussion group) - that's ok; I'm not
ranting about any specific post/thread in particular...

It's just that (and I know I'm likely preaching to a choir here, but
it seems to me to be a sermon worth revisiting from time to time...)
if there's anything a lifetime of crafting & craftsmanship has taught
me, it's the tired old worn out (like me) adage that, "You get what
you pay for."  Bargains aren't always bargains, and when something
looks or sounds too good to be true or miss out on, IMHOAE, it
probably/usually is.

Just an example - in just the past couple days there was a thread
thread (thread about thread) about some deal on thread, followed by
several comments by people who said that they had mucho problems with
said brand of thread messing up/snarling/fuzzing/breaking/what-have-
you...  What good is getting a boatload of thread at a 75% discount if
you wind up throwing the whole batch out or (worse?) donating it to
(dumping it on) some other poor unsuspecting slob?  Good intentions
aside, sometimes it's questionable if one is *really* doing a service
by doing so.  Even most charities I know of throw away "junk" donated
to them; some may politely accept it to spare feelings/not seem
ungrateful and THEN toss it, but it's not worth their hassling with it
either...

I know that DW absolutely refuses to buy fabric at a particular well-
known international craft superstore chain, (unless she absolutely
cannot get what she wants *anyplace* else, local or online) because
the thread count is less and the material is inevitably of poorer
quality and more difficult to work with than what she pays more for at
a(ny) local dedicated "quilt shop".

No matter what kind of project I'm working on, for myself or for
others, I have learned many times over that investing in the best
quality tools & materials is SO worth it not only to the finished
product, but to working with them as well.  It's just no fun, and I
can't see the point in, being frustrated at every step and turn along
the way.  ESPECIALLY with tools/hard goods, because they are forever,
and one has to use them over and over.  There's little worse than
trying to work with a scissors, or machine, or whatever, that you just
can't stand - no matter the reason.  I'm sure the "professionals" out
there are in total agreement - we've all been there.

If the retort is economics, then I say wait until they change, or
scale down the project, or find another one within means, or if your
self-respect can handle it, ask for a little help - GOOD help.

Maybe... Hopefully... the newbs/novices may get something from this.

Okay, I guess I'm done now.  I feel like there's something I'm
forgetting, but that's not unusual for me - I'll blame it on a senior
moment...  Have at, or chew me up, or whatever...

Doc Smith

I don't get it. Honestly, I'm not being argumentive or critical, but
all I've ever
seen on *this* ng are regarding some pretty sweet deals on higher-end
fabric, thread, etc. from proven and/or trusted websites. I always
appreciate the tip.
As far as hard-goods, if I waited until I could afford a top-of-the-
line (insert
name brand)....I probably would have never learned to quilt.
I'm afraid the retort *is* economics. We do the best, and buy the
best, *that we
can afford.* I'm not "waiting until they change."
Besides, what you've said is not always true as a blanket statement. I
paid full
price for a Rowenta iron, and sold it in the garage sale for $5 less
than a year later.
But I've also found some *killer* deals on very high-end fabric.
*Sometimes* you "get
what you pay for." But sometimes you can score a real coupe on quality
stuff.
If you stay with a trusted brand, you really can't go wrong on a sale.

Sherry

Sherry
.

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