Why do people buy crap?

brianlux
brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,670
in A Moving Train
A few of us were going in the direction of this question elsewhere and I didn't want to stray too much from that thread topic so here we are. I admit the question is a bit rhetorical but I ask it because it perplexes me. There is not logic to it. We humans consume what the earth has to give us each year by August and everything after that we steal from future generations. On top of that, it makes no sense to buy cheap crap from a personal finance point of view. For example: I can go to a big box store and buy a pair of socks for a couple of bucks that are never very comfortable and will wear out quickly or I can go to Combellack's across the street and buy these super comfortable long lasting non-binding wonder-socks for four times what I would pay at the big box store only they will last five times as long and are 10 times more comfortable so in the long run I get better good, save money and help the planet.

People will say, well yeah maybe you can afford them but what about those of us who don't make a lot of money? To that I say, I don't make a lot of money either, I just manage it well. And so forth. I've heard all the excuses and none hold water. Crap is crap and there's no excuse for buying it. It's bad for ya, it's bad for your finances, it's bad for the planet.

OK, open fire!!
"It's a sad and beautiful world"
-Roberto Benigni

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Comments

  • Go Beavers
    Go Beavers Posts: 9,618
    The crap I buy is good crap.
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,599
    We have a hole, a disorder, a condition?

    "stuff" makes us feel better sometimes and fills that void?

    True story:

    I like using the same utensil to cook EVERYTHING.

    My girl uses a different utensil for EVERYTHING and she's the hippy environmentalist…

    Go figure...
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,670
    Go Beavers said:

    The crap I buy is good crap.

    Go Beavers, for that hilarious comment you get one crap credit. Spend it wisely! :smiley:
    tempo_n_groove said:

    We have a hole, a disorder, a condition?

    "stuff" makes us feel better sometimes and fills that void?

    True story:

    I like using the same utensil to cook EVERYTHING.

    My girl uses a different utensil for EVERYTHING and she's the hippy environmentalist…

    Go figure...

    tempo_n_groove, you could become the resident train Zen cook! The sound of one utensil stirring!

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • ehbacon
    ehbacon Posts: 1,972
    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.
    Listen to some of my music here (if you want to): [url="My soundcloud"]
  • evsgjamm
    evsgjamm Posts: 2,108
    I hear ya!!

    I bought a Nickelback CD in 1999 and figured "Leader of Men" was gonna be a life long rock song I'd never get sick of hearing..... when I SHOULD'VE bought Yield... but I didn't know Yield existed at that time. same???? no... not even fucking close, but this wine is good AND THAT'S A REAL NICE SKI MASK!

    image

    Vancouver '03, Paramount Theatre '05, Saskatoon '05, Calgary '05, Edmonton '05, Saskatoon '11, Calgary '11, Calgary '13

    2010 WATCH IT GO TO FIRE!!
  • ldent42
    ldent42 NYC Posts: 7,859
    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,670
    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    "I'd like to send this priority, please."

    "Would you like insurance?"

    "Not necessary."

    "Does your package contain anything fragile, liquid perishable or potentially hazardous?"

    "Umm, umm, ummm..."

    "NEXT!"
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,599
    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    C'mon girl!!!
  • ldent42
    ldent42 NYC Posts: 7,859
    tempo_n_groove said:

    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    C'mon girl!!!
    it's awful.
    I hate myself.

    Since my area is being gentrified the supermarkets are stupid expensive now, so I've been going to other areas for fresh produce. This is a new endeavour so there's going to be some growing pains. I've got about $7 in spoiled produce waiting to be thrown out cuz I bought too much. The problem is when my back starts acting up I physically can't stand there chopping shit cuz after a couple minutes it feels like my spine is in a vise. So I end up ordering or doing something that doesn't require peeling and chopping and de-seeding.

    Seriously, I'm an asshole. But at least I can admit it right?

    I will not apologize for my cheap clothes. Especially since old navy is having a clearance sale on and i'm probably gonna go buy some shit tomorrow.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,670
    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    ldent42 said:

    tempo_n_groove said:

    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    C'mon girl!!!
    it's awful.
    I hate myself.

    Since my area is being gentrified the supermarkets are stupid expensive now, so I've been going to other areas for fresh produce. This is a new endeavour so there's going to be some growing pains. I've got about $7 in spoiled produce waiting to be thrown out cuz I bought too much. The problem is when my back starts acting up I physically can't stand there chopping shit cuz after a couple minutes it feels like my spine is in a vise. So I end up ordering or doing something that doesn't require peeling and chopping and de-seeding.

    Seriously, I'm an asshole. But at least I can admit it right?

    I will not apologize for my cheap clothes. Especially since old navy is having a clearance sale on and i'm probably gonna go buy some shit tomorrow.
    OK, give me a second here...

    Alright, let's do the math:
    Minus 10 Crap Credits for "I buy crap ALL THE TIME."
    Plus 3 Crap Credits "I'm an irresponsible piece of shit " (10 for honesty less 5 for potty mouth).
    Plus 10 C.C. for "i re-use them..."
    Minus 10 C.C. for "I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes"
    Zero instead of minus 10 for ordering out (because of the back thing- I get it).
    Plus 7 for "Seriously, I'm an asshole." (Plus 10 minus 3 for minor potty mouth).

    So -10 plus +3= -7 plus 10= +3 minus 10= -7 plus 7= 0
    Plus one bonus point for being cool gives you One Crap Credit, Ident.

    I know, you're wonder where do I get off give out Crap Credits. Well, I made up the thread so fuck it! Oh damn, I just lost 20 points. :anguished:
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • ldent42
    ldent42 NYC Posts: 7,859
    Brain, I was too lost in all that math to even think to question your authority :lol:
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • Go Beavers
    Go Beavers Posts: 9,618
    edited January 2016
    A Brianlux thread on consumption always conjures up this song:
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ovum-GjYWKQ
    Post edited by Go Beavers on
  • InHiding80
    InHiding80 Upland,CA Posts: 7,623
    Cue anti materialism monologue from Fight Club in 3...2...1!
  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    edited January 2016
    I'm not sure why other people buy crap.
    For me it is like hit and miss.
    Sometimes you do score a great pair of socks in the bargain bin other times not so much.
    I love coming home with bags full of stuff that didn't break the wallet.
    Liken it to second hand stores - why do people shop there?, it's because you can find some really, really, great stuff sometimes but usually end up walking out with a few things you weren't looking for.
    I love Walmart, (insert big box store here) and I love the mom and pop shops.
    I am mine and will shop where I want.

    edit - oh and I like Target too because Pearl Jam is a partner with them.
    Post edited by PJfanwillneverleave1 on
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,670
    Go Beavers said:

    A Brianlux thread on consumption always conjures up this song:
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ovum-GjYWKQ

    Oh Yeah!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,670
    InHiding80 said:

    Cue anti materialism monologue from Fight Club in 3...2...1!

    Oh Yeah II !
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,670
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    I'm not sure why other people buy crap.
    For me it is like hit and miss.
    Sometimes you do score a great pair of socks in the bargain bin other times not so much.
    I love coming home with bags full of stuff that didn't break the wallet.
    Liken it to second hand stores - why do people shop there?, it's because you can find some really, really, great stuff sometimes but usually end up walking out with a few things you weren't looking for.
    I love Walmart, (insert big box store here) and I love the mom and pop shops.
    I am mine and will shop where I want.

    edit - oh and I like Target too because Pearl Jam is a partner with them.

    OH NO! :angry:

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • InHiding80
    InHiding80 Upland,CA Posts: 7,623
    The cheapest brands are from the most evil places like Walmart and food regarding Monsanto fast places like McDevil's and Taco Hell.

    That's how they get you.
  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    ^^^
    So what.
    Enjoy some bad food for fucking once.
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    People buy (and buy into) intangible crap too. Like shitty manufactured music. Or shitty manufactured so-called music-makers.

    Who knows why. Easier to do that than discern, to think a bit?

    Fads, convenience, whimsy...guess they all play a part and not the worst a person can pursue, I suppose.

    Moderation?

    The small stuff, it can be fun, harmless. I have some beautiful and beloved little items others may deem as crap but they mean much to me.

    The bigger ticket items, seems to me that quality should go into them, their production, longevity. I've never had a problem paying more for more.

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