Does Quality Come At A Price?
What do you think?
I have been asking around the office as well as friends this exact question, which has come up with a variety of responses. The general consensus from people I spoke to was ‘yes’.
A friend in the trade responded, “Yes, you can’t buy a Mercedes for Skoda money!”
The majority of people I spoke to agree that you quite often have to pay a little bit extra to get a quality product. Taking the Mercedes example above, I think it is a very fair statement. A Mercedes has a reputation for being reliable, classy, comfortable and powerful, and they come with a more expensive price tag than most models of Skoda. Although there is nothing wrong with a Skoda, they are good cars, but it is the reputation surrounding a product that has been built and the price reflects this. In my opinion a Mercedes reputation has been built on solid foundations – you don’t get a reputation for no reason.
Skoda is currently in a transitional stage, where it is trying to increase its reputation, taking it from a low end car, to a fun, sporty, comfortable car. Recent adverts for the car have been quite memorable with the Skoda Fabia made of cakes and treats and the mean machine Fabia.
In the current economic climate with everybody tightening their belts, are we having to sacrifice the quality of products we buy to fit our budgets? In some cases yes. Aldi and Lidl had a great start to the year with a sales growth of 10%, which was more than double than rivals Asda and Tesco, as people tried to beat the biggest squeeze on household spending since 1920. However, it wasn’t just the lower end of the market that was succeeding as Sainsbury’s and Waitrose also recorded increased sales.
The debate continues though as one colleague I spoke to gave me this very valid example. When purchasing football boots, he will not sacrifice the quality of them, but he will wait until a newer version comes out, so the original goes down in price. Our spending behaviour can change to ensure we get quality at a bargain price. The same can be said for mobile phones, computers and clothing. There are many shrewd people out there, who will wait until there is a sale before grabbing the goods they want. The clothing company Next is a perfect example of this as they only have 2 sales every year; a Christmas sale and a Summer sale, with shops opening at 5.30am people queue for hours to ensure they get in first and pick out the best items.
How do we determine the difference in quality between two brands though? In my opinion reputation has a big part to play when purchasing high price goods, be it a car, a conservatory, double glazed windows or solar panels. Everybody wants to ensure that the money they are parting with will get them the best they can afford. You aren’t going to spend thousands of pounds replacing your windows with below par ones. You will want windows that are energy efficient, save you money and look stunning on your home. The actual quality of these products is reliant on the company and you doing your research. All big spend items will have pro’s and con’s, you just have to weigh it up for what is best for you.
When it comes to quality, I think most of us want the best! If we can’t afford the best, we go for the next best thing…In which case, I think I’ll stick with my Peugeot 206 for now then.
Anglian Home Improvements are pleased to announce that we are now offering up to 50% off our double glazed windows and doors, so you can get our high quality products for half the price! 
Showing 3 Comments
The window industry is a very black an white one. You buy cheap in this world and you get cheap; poor product, short lifespan, rubbish locking, little or no reinforcement etc. If you spend more money then you (almost) always get a better product – and better installation. If you buy cheap you can bet your last quid that the guys putting the windows in are going to be throwing them in, rather than fitting them, then going to the pub for half one.
The car reference is one I always use, it’s the simplest way to explain that in an industry which is full of cow boys and cheap rubbish, spending a little more will guarantee you get a better result.
Regards
DGB
Anyone who thinks all windows are the same and just fill a hole in the wall are fooling themselves – or are being fooled by companies just after their money. Better to wait until one can afford good quality windows that will last for decades than buy cheap now, then buy again in a few years time. The way the sealed glazing units are made; frames are constructed, strengthened and jointed; the way bays are supported; the way the windows are installed in the house and the fittings that are used are crucial issues that determine the life span of the windows and their security and performance – as well as the look of the house. Compromise on those things and you may as well throw your money away. Investing in a national brand with a track record in making quality products and backing them with a worthwhile guarantee is the only sensible way to go. As someone once said – there is nothing in the world that can’t be made more cheaply and sold for less, if quality doesn’t matter. One shouldn’t think about ‘buying’ replacement windows and doors – one should think about ‘investing’ in one’s home. An investment that improves security, reduces heating costs, increases the attractiveness of the home – and adds perceived value when one tells people the name of the supplier. All windows are not equal!
Having recently had personal experience of “price-leading” windows, I completely agree that paying a little extra for quality is by far the cheapest option. A grant-funded installation for a disabled person has resulted in a cut-price, energy-inefficient, flimsy and insecure conversion that fails to serve the interests of the resident. Locking is sub-standard, and some of the windows are externally beaded – a feature I thought had long disappeared. This is public (i.e. our) money being wasted in a short-sighted and irresponsible manner,