When is a bargain not a bargain

Everyone loves a good bargain. Especially, this time of year as we near the holiday season. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will be pouring into our inboxes by the droves while credit card bills will skyrocket. But what makes a good deal exactly? And when is a bargain, not a bargain? We’ll cover a few points to keep in mind as you make purchase decisions for yourself and your business this season.

When Price Compromises Quality

A bargain, by definition, is something bought or offered for sale more cheaply than usual or expected. People see dollar signs when something they like is offered at a discount, but where is the line of sacrificing price for quality? Can you really have it all? Or are you sacrificing something along the way to get a bargain? Let’s cover what isn’t a bargain.

When the product is faulty or purchased at a liquidator

Purchasing an item at a huge discount isn’t really worth it if the quality is compromised. Say you come across a discontinued model of a Ricoh printer/copier at a discount mart. This may sound like a good deal… until it has to be serviced or thrown out due to faulty or discontinued parts only a few months into its use. You’ll end up spending more money in the long run than if you would have paid for a quality product from someone you trust.

If you don’t need it

We are all guilty of purchasing something that we don’t need because it’s on sale. If you’re buying things you don’t use, then they’ll more than likely sit in the corner of your office collecting dust. Eventually, you’ll throw it away or put it in the neighborhood garage sale, desperate to get something for it. This is when a bargain isn’t a bargain.

When the “sales price” is the highest price

Have you ever shopped at a store that had a huge sale going on and looked at the price stickers? Sometimes, you can see the retailer’s most common tricks for putting items on sale. Often times, jacking up the price only to put them “on-sale” at a price comparable to the standard retail. Shop around and google prices to make sure you’re really getting the bargain you think you are.

Conclusion

So, we go back to the question of can you really have a good bargain and still get the quality of a higher-priced item. Experts say that sometimes you can but more often than not, you sacrifice quality the lower the cost goes. Our advice is when it comes to items that are used frequently and your business can’t operate without, invest the money into a quality item that will stand the test of time and save you money (and time) in the long run. So, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

We hope we’ve been able to help you recognize a good bargain when you see it but also consider the price vs. quality scenarios to make smart purchases. For more specifics on how we can help equip your business with reliable office solutions, contact us. Also, follow us on Facebook for the latest business technology news and updates.