I agree with this ^^^
Buy quality, from a quality vendor. In the long run you come out ahead with less problems.
That the vendor stands behind the product is a huge value. The knowledge, support and relationships that can be built are only more proof.
It helps the industry. It helps your project and you get to make friends along the way.

I'm on a really tight budget. But even as tight as it is I refuse to skimpy on the things that count. For me that means quality, proven parts that perform. ARP fasteners for example that I will buy from a vendor here. Brakes from another. Shocks and suspension components from yet another.
I could save a few bucks going to the big mail order places, but I'll never get the same service. Or ever be buddies with the sales rep there.

Roger...I'm stealing this for our next catalog...PERFECT!!

The points made above are certainly valid, but vendors need to remember that the concepts of "value" and "quality" are entirely subjective. Meaning that each individual will have their own scale by which they measure what is important to them.

Let's examine your list of items in a different light.

Tattoos - If I am getting a jailhouse tattoo I am not concerned about it looking "nice." Jailhouse tattoos have a great deal of meaning attached to them and the aesthetic value is secondary.

Hookers - If I was just in jail and I have a fresh jailhouse tattoo, I might settle for a $20 hooker...

Hamburgers - Of course the $10 burger is going to taste better, but if all I have is lint in my pocket and I haven't eaten all day, the 39 cent burger will surely hit the spot.

Wheels - Yes, HRE, BBS, Forgeline, and many other companies make excellent wheels. They are generally light and strong and exactly what is needed for a high performance street or race car. But if I am a kid on a budget and I can't afford $1200 PER wheel, a set of Enkies or 5Zigens might work just as well and I can get a whole set for the price of ONE Forgeline wheel.

Welders - Yes, $4000 machines will lay down pretty beads (with a competent operator), but sometimes all I need to do is make a simple bracket from angle iron that no one will ever see. The $500 MIG will work just fine for that.

New York Strips - See the hamburger example.

Casters - I am quite sure that the casters from Harbor Freight are not the greatest, but if I need to hold up a light toolbox that rarely gets moved, I am sure they will suffice.

Attorney - Does price alone determine the quality of legal service? In addition to what a lawyer charges I would want to look at their conviction record, level of trial experience, etc...

Bicycles - See wheel example.

Perceived value is a ratio of the (perceived) benefits that are derived from a product or service divided by the price. We, as consumers, are always looking for products that will give us the most benefit (as we perceive it) at the lowest price possible. Vendors, builders, and manufacturers need to always consider their customer base, and their potential customers. There are any number of ways to make profit, both at the top end of the scale and at the bottom. Think Walmart, Target, Sears, JC Penny, Macy's, Dillard's, Nordstrom's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, ??? etc......Each individual will have their own listing of stores that represents something different to them. It is also critical for vendors, builders, and manufacturers to remember that as they move up the chain, the number of customers gets smaller and smaller. This has tremendous impact on operations, overhead, support, etc...

Andrew

Andrew...I agree with your points. There are many levels and definitions of "quality" pertaining to the design, construction, and function of any product. Different people and different applications require different levels of quality. I have a $3.00 rubber hammer from Harbor Freight in my toolbox because, well, its a rubber hammer. I also have a $300 flaring tool in my box because it really important to me to be able to make nice flares on brakelines.
That being said, I think EVERYONE, wheather they buy a $3.00 rubber hammer or a $300 flaring tool expects an appropriate level of competent customer service. They [rightfully] expect a friendly, knowledgeable, articulate, intelligent person [or process] to get them the components they need for their project as quickly, effeciently, and cheaply as possible.
THAT is is main difference between a cheap part and an "expensive" part. In reality, it cost just about as much to make a cheap part as it does an expensive part [with some exceptions]. Its those friendly, knowledgeable, articulate and intelligent people [who like to eat warm food and sleep indoors] that must be figured into the cost of an 'expensive" part.

THAT is why I always recommend that you purchase from the people who demonstrate they can truly answer your questions, regardless of the monetary price.

Bret, all valid points. People, systems, and procedures all need to be in place to achieve even the minimum (this is also very subjective) level of customer service and support. Summit and Jeg's may not have people that know every little detail about every little product, but they have excellent online ordering systems and amazing warehouse systems. If I know the exact part that I need, I go online and with minimal effort the parts show up in 2 days.

When I have doubts as to what I need and I am shopping for more complicated components, then I want to talk to companies that I feel have knowledge and will steer me in the right direction based on my desired outcomes. I also used to work in sales, so I am very sensitive about making sure that the company that treated me the best got my business, all things being equal, even if I have to pay a more.

My main point is that all this is rather complicated and not as clear cut as some people would have everyone believe. There are good and bad manufacturers, vendors, and customers.

Andrew

Yes! It's not as black and white as some may think.

John

Re: hookers




If teeth can't live in that mouth... What chance do you think your crank has...




You're all still beating a really dead horse. Some vendors make it. Some don't for many various reasons. I'm sorry it didn't work out for Jon but it is what it is. It's all of the reasons and none of the reasons. Everyone faces the exact same set of business issues.

Next.....

Damn Greg, right again. You keep this up and I'll have to start a fan club!!:D