<\/p>\n
It\u2019s everywhere \u2013 you go to buy a household item that is visually appealing, functional and within your budget and what do some salespeople do? They try to sell you the \u201cbetter\u201d model \u2013 \u201cbetter looking\u201d, bigger, sleeker, \u201cmore elegant\u201d, whatever.<\/p>\n
Here is a recent scenario: I decide to buy a new front \u2013loading washer and dryer succumbing, I admit, to the promises of this technology. And this is an instance where visual appeal is not \u201cmake or break\u201d \u2013 I mean there are only so many things you can do to jazz up a laundry pair! After researching, asking people what they like or don\u2019t like I choose a pair which will suit the needs of my husband and me very well. I figure that white is just fine, that I don\u2019t need \u201csteam\u201d this and that and that a smaller washer and dryer will be fine for two people. So I head off to the appliance jungle.\u00a0 I am told that my choice is \u201centry level\u201d \u2013 the implication (I guess) is that this is shameful. How could I possibly want anything so basic?\u00a0 But I ignore the veiled insult. Since that approach isn\u2019t working I am steered towards the glitzier red pair (with the fake plastic \u201cchrome\u201d) and I am told of the huge benefits of having a washer and dryer that will handle tons of diapers (?) and kids\u2019 clothing. Since my children are grownups and I don\u2019t wash my grandkids\u2019 clothes I remain unimpressed. You know what? I have decided that I will ignore the salesperson and that I will buy that \u201centry level\u201d pair. Shame on me!<\/p>\n
Hey, let\u2019s be \u201creal\u201d when it comes to making choices about what we buy to put in our homes. Decent furniture, appliances, accessories and finishes such as flooring can cost a fair amount of money. But you don\u2019t have to bankrupt yourself buying this stuff. \u00a0\u00a0Apart from the appearance of an item, I think that a key issue here is \u201cshelf life\u201d. Most of us know that there is a lot of poor quality merchandise \u201cout there\u201d. If longevity is important to you, you have to be savvy \u2013 research and learn about the quality of what you are buying. Planned obsolescence is a sad reality of life these days.<\/p>\n