The Second Best

lumberjim · 07-23-2008, 09:22 PM

The assumption is that the 'Best' one on the market will cost you extra because it is the best. The one you want to buy is the Second Best, right?

You don't want to buy something that is obsolete. You don't want to buy the econocrap version....you've learned that lesson. BUT, you want it to be GOOD. so, why not the second best? Is the third best a safer bet?

Let's use wireless routers as an example and be specific about which one to buy.

Troubleshooter · 07-23-2008, 09:47 PM

I just bought the D-Link DL-655. It was near the top of the list but its and others like it in its class have started dropping in price. I'm guessing that they are about to be second best.

Second best has been my methodology for a while now.

Cloud · 07-23-2008, 09:49 PM

I don't know wireless routers from a toaster, but I often use this strategy. It's called cross shopping.

You look at the very cheap, low end item; you look at the very expensive high end item. They you look at the ones in the middle and try to get the best combination of features from the high end, and price from the low end.

lumberjim · 07-23-2008, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

I don't know wireless routers from a toaster, but I often use this strategy. It's called cross shopping.

You look at the very cheap, low end item; you look at the very expensive high end item. They you look at the ones in the middle and try to get the best combination of features from the high end, and price from the low end.

you'll wind up driving a hyundai if you do that.

ps, hyundai makes a pretty nice car at this point......just don't try to trade it in before it's 10 years old.

SteveDallas · 07-24-2008, 10:20 AM

Why, what happens at 10 years?

I had heard they were making pretty good cars these days, so I checked them out, but there didn't seem to be much price diff between them and Honda. (Comparing their econo-sedan to the Civic that is.)

footfootfoot · 07-24-2008, 11:55 AM

funny, I bought the second best wireless router at the store, mainly since I thought my computer would be too old to realize the benfits of the latest and greatest.

I also bought a Hyundai and at 94k miles in 4 years, no problems at all. Plan to drive it all the way down though, and not trade in. We also got a screaming deal from a dealership which was extremely bloated with '04s at the end of August '04. They had something like 600 cars to move before the 05s arrived.

Sonata GLS out the door at 15,800. I think the sticker price was something like 21,000.

Flint · 07-24-2008, 12:06 PM

I shop for some things by ranking the prices from low to high. Starting at the low end, I go up until I find a product that meets my requirements. I don't know or care what the higher-priced products do, if I found one that meets my needs in the bottom 25%.

xoxoxoBruce · 07-24-2008, 12:10 PM

Pop always said, go for the next to the top model. All the features, without the bling.

OK, I'm paraphrasing.

HungLikeJesus · 07-24-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I shop for some things by ranking the prices from low to high. Starting at the low end, I go up until I find a product that meets my requirements. I don't know or care what the higher-priced products do, if I found one that meets my needs in the bottom 25%.

What requirements were on your "wife" list?

dar512 · 07-28-2008, 03:21 PM

I was just reading recently that manufacturers know that people often pick the second banana - so they make a super duper top (that they don't expect to sell a lot of) so that you pick their real top of the line.

lumberjim · 07-28-2008, 04:24 PM

drat, they're ontah meeee.

or is dar a corporate shill?

Undertoad · 07-28-2008, 04:41 PM

I like it when companies provide you with a list of what is better per each model, and that way you can figure it out easily. "Lessee, they took the base model, and then on the next one they upgraded the motor, and then on the next one they give you the 4 additional wash cycle choices -- and then on the top one you can delay start of wash for up to a day. Hell with that, let's go with the second-best one."

Crimson Ghost · 07-28-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

What requirements were on your "wife" list?

1. Breathing
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Flint · 07-28-2008, 08:30 PM

You're right, that really was the number one thing. I mean, I didn't even consider dead chicks.

dar512 · 07-28-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I didn't even consider dead chicks.

And we're all so proud.

07-23-2008, 09:22 PM	#1
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	The Second Best The assumption is that the 'Best' one on the market will cost you extra because it is the best. The one you want to buy is the Second Best, right? You don't want to buy something that is obsolete. You don't want to buy the econocrap version....you've learned that lesson. BUT, you want it to be GOOD. so, why not the second best? Is the third best a safer bet? Let's use wireless routers as an example and be specific about which one to buy. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

07-23-2008, 09:47 PM	#2
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	I just bought the D-Link DL-655. It was near the top of the list but its and others like it in its class have started dropping in price. I'm guessing that they are about to be second best. Second best has been my methodology for a while now. __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

07-23-2008, 09:49 PM	#3
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I don't know wireless routers from a toaster, but I often use this strategy. It's called cross shopping. You look at the very cheap, low end item; you look at the very expensive high end item. They you look at the ones in the middle and try to get the best combination of features from the high end, and price from the low end. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-24-2008, 11:55 AM	#6
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	funny, I bought the second best wireless router at the store, mainly since I thought my computer would be too old to realize the benfits of the latest and greatest. I also bought a Hyundai and at 94k miles in 4 years, no problems at all. Plan to drive it all the way down though, and not trade in. We also got a screaming deal from a dealership which was extremely bloated with '04s at the end of August '04. They had something like 600 cars to move before the 05s arrived. Sonata GLS out the door at 15,800. I think the sticker price was something like 21,000. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

07-24-2008, 12:06 PM	#7
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I shop for some things by ranking the prices from low to high. Starting at the low end, I go up until I find a product that meets my requirements. I don't know or care what the higher-priced products do, if I found one that meets my needs in the bottom 25%. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

07-24-2008, 10:20 AM	#5
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Why, what happens at 10 years? I had heard they were making pretty good cars these days, so I checked them out, but there didn't seem to be much price diff between them and Honda. (Comparing their econo-sedan to the Civic that is.)

07-24-2008, 12:10 PM	#8
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Pop always said, go for the next to the top model. All the features, without the bling. OK, I'm paraphrasing. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

07-28-2008, 03:21 PM	#10
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	I was just reading recently that manufacturers know that people often pick the second banana - so they make a super duper top (that they don't expect to sell a lot of) so that you pick their real top of the line. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

07-28-2008, 04:24 PM	#11
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	drat, they're ontah meeee. or is dar a corporate shill? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

07-28-2008, 04:41 PM	#12
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I like it when companies provide you with a list of what is better per each model, and that way you can figure it out easily. "Lessee, they took the base model, and then on the next one they upgraded the motor, and then on the next one they give you the 4 additional wash cycle choices -- and then on the top one you can delay start of wash for up to a day. Hell with that, let's go with the second-best one."

07-28-2008, 08:30 PM	#14
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	You're right, that really was the number one thing. I mean, I didn't even consider dead chicks. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

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