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Why does the American consumer want quantity instead of quality and customer service?
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:50 pm
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:50 pm
There is a reason that customer service reps barely understand English, Dollar Generals sprout up like mushrooms, and products and services that you buy are not as good as you remember.
So what gives?
On a related note, why is there a vanishingly small number of options available for us who are willing to pay extra for quality and service?
So what gives?
On a related note, why is there a vanishingly small number of options available for us who are willing to pay extra for quality and service?
21
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:53 pm to weagle1999
Because the American populace has an insatiable urge to consume as much as possible.
Gather things and consume. That’s the economy of this country now.
Gather things and consume. That’s the economy of this country now.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:54 pm to weagle1999
I want quality.
Private Equity wants profit.
They have more money than me.
They win.
Private Equity wants profit.
They have more money than me.
They win.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:57 pm to weagle1999
Don't blame the consumer. The American consumer is getting absolutely fricked right now.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:59 pm to weagle1999
Opposable thumbs bruh
Posted on 4/3/26 at 9:03 pm to weagle1999
Well, they actually don't, but that's what they get...
Posted on 4/3/26 at 9:03 pm to weagle1999
There was a joke that carmakers stopped offering car colors in anything other than red, white, and blue.
Ten years later, when asked why they didn’t offer more color options they responded… consumers will only buy cars that are red, white, and blue.
I think you can apply that to joke to every American industry.
Ten years later, when asked why they didn’t offer more color options they responded… consumers will only buy cars that are red, white, and blue.
I think you can apply that to joke to every American industry.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 9:07 pm to weagle1999
“Don't ask questions, just consume product and then get excited for next products.”
This post was edited on 4/3/26 at 9:09 pm
Posted on 4/3/26 at 9:07 pm to weagle1999
Same reason they love shitty cheap buffets.
I've been told "it's a good deal!"
It's not a good deal if I don't want to eat it!
I've been told "it's a good deal!"
It's not a good deal if I don't want to eat it!
Posted on 4/3/26 at 9:50 pm to weagle1999
Why don’t you go open a retail establishment and peddle whatever in the hell product it is your bitching about and get back to us?
Go open a store, charge more for the same products DG sells, but be really nice anbout it, and see how that works out for you.
I’m not being a smart arse. quit fussing about it here and go find your answer.
Go open a store, charge more for the same products DG sells, but be really nice anbout it, and see how that works out for you.
I’m not being a smart arse. quit fussing about it here and go find your answer.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 10:27 pm to weagle1999
Move to Florida.
There's a Publix every square mile.
You can pay double at Publix for what you'd pay at Walmart for a slightly nicer shopping experience if that's your thing.
There's a Publix every square mile.
You can pay double at Publix for what you'd pay at Walmart for a slightly nicer shopping experience if that's your thing.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 10:34 pm to SM1010
I’m willing to pay more for good and understandable directions on how to build something. I put a bunk bed together today
, not a single word and only drawings
, not a single word and only drawings
Posted on 4/3/26 at 11:05 pm to weagle1999
Don't put all the blame on the consumer. We don't really have a choice because of the economic philosophy of continuous growth that corporations and financial institutions practice.
If a product is of decent to excellent quality then less get sold over time because the need to replace it goes down.
That's bad for shareholder interests.
Lower quality products need to be replaced faster, resulting in higher sales.
And it's not like providing a lower quality product is detrimental to the company's image or reputation because they are on par with everybody else's products.
It's a scam and it's not going to change. The shareholder matters more than the consumer.
If a product is of decent to excellent quality then less get sold over time because the need to replace it goes down.
That's bad for shareholder interests.
Lower quality products need to be replaced faster, resulting in higher sales.
And it's not like providing a lower quality product is detrimental to the company's image or reputation because they are on par with everybody else's products.
It's a scam and it's not going to change. The shareholder matters more than the consumer.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 11:15 pm to weagle1999
Harbor freight business model.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 11:17 pm to weagle1999
The general American business model is to take something good and make it slightly less good but deliver more of it.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 11:25 pm to weagle1999
Eventually, the center cannot hold.
Businesses become either elitist or cut-rate: "You succeed by either selling a little to a little for a lot, or a lot to a lot for a little"
This a rule of politics as well as economics
Businesses become either elitist or cut-rate: "You succeed by either selling a little to a little for a lot, or a lot to a lot for a little"
This a rule of politics as well as economics
Posted on 4/3/26 at 11:30 pm to weagle1999
My biggest complaint is that people also want things as cheaply as possible, to the point where quality is completely irrelevant.
Bought my youngest Chutes and Ladders recently and the board and pieces were basically slightly above tissue paper quality. Pretty much impossible to use/play without damaging it, thing will be complete garbage in a week.
I remember board games when i was a kid were hefty and durable, as they need to be.
We are in this new world where they are mass producing it in china with the absolutely cheapest posssible materials in teh cheapest possible way, zero other considerations.
I'd gladly pay an extra $5 for a higher quality version that would last but they don't even make that as an option. You can buy the cheap garbage or nothing which pisses me off as someone willing to pay a few bucks extra for something that isn't garbage.
Bought my youngest Chutes and Ladders recently and the board and pieces were basically slightly above tissue paper quality. Pretty much impossible to use/play without damaging it, thing will be complete garbage in a week.
I remember board games when i was a kid were hefty and durable, as they need to be.
We are in this new world where they are mass producing it in china with the absolutely cheapest posssible materials in teh cheapest possible way, zero other considerations.
I'd gladly pay an extra $5 for a higher quality version that would last but they don't even make that as an option. You can buy the cheap garbage or nothing which pisses me off as someone willing to pay a few bucks extra for something that isn't garbage.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 12:37 am to weagle1999
quote:
On a related note, why is there a vanishingly small number of options available for us who are willing to pay extra for quality and service?
There are options, but you have to do your research and actively find them. You also have to demand it from vendors. I think that very slowly people are starting to come to terms with paying more for quality. Its going to take a couple decades or more, but I am noticing it more and more in products that someone seeks out but not many people know about.
For example, I am building a house right now. I am done with using asphalt roofs. My deductible for a new roof from a named storm on my current house is over $40,000. A new asphalt roof will be about what the deductible is, so I will always have to pay it in full. This new house also will most likely have a higher deductible. I thought long and hard about it, researched, and realized how cheap an asphalt shingle is, and how little it lasts (one hailstorm ruins it). I have seen homes in my previous neighborhood get three roof replacements over 15 years. I am going with a roof that is several times more expensive than an asphalt roof, but is far superior in wind resistance, fire resistance, hail resistance, and longevity. However, the majority of Americans see it as a ripoff for something so much more expensive that does the same thing....which is not true. So they get the cheap stuff and have to replace it every 10 - 15 years out of pocket, the insurance rates/deductibles go up because they get bothered to replace a roof every 15 years, and often times sooner than that due to bad timing of storms, and then everyone bitches about insurance rates.
I quoted a new roof for my MIL. I got three quotes. The priciest quote was the superior roof which I was hoping would be reasonable but I could not justify for my MIL. The middle one was an asphalt roof but I knew the guy and told him that everything on the roof must be new and high quality. The cheapest one reused all the rusty flashing, vents, etc. I found that out when I cornered the cheapest guy on how its so cheap compared to the other guy. He admitted that everyone is out for one thing....the cheapest bid to get their issue rectified. If he bids on doing the job right, they will think he is a shyster and will go with the cut corners cheap guy. The goal is to have the cheapest bid.
AC is another example. I love variable speed AC's. The last one I had installed, I asked the guy how often does he sell them, which was about one a month. I asked him what do people usually get. He said 90% get the bottom of the line everything. He only bids on upgrades if a well informed customer demands it.
Other examples include insulation, foundation design, windows, AZEK trim, hard pipe ductwork.
Regarding paint for my new house. I had the builder have the Sherwin WIlliams rep call me. I told him I want the Emerald line for everything. I am not building this expensive house and covering the exterior and interior with the cheap stuff that wears out after five years, which will cost a fortune in labor and headaches to repaint a furnished house. Builder called me the next day and said the SW guy told him that was the first time he ever had a new build customer demand a specific premium paint.
Boomers are the worst with this. They love their giant fried seafood platters for $14.99 that can satisfy them for two days, and Whole Foods is highway robbery, but all those medical bills to manage poor diets and Winn Dixie quality food? Crickets.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 12:45 am to weagle1999
Because 85% of people are idiots, including many of those with an above average IQ. They don't care or know better. They simply consume.
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