Anyone else out there like just the 'base model' o... - Page 3

faeriemoon · ‎03-14-2010

I kind of like the ""souped-up"" version of things.

~What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind.~ William Shakespeare

mstyrion 1 · ‎09-18-2014

I'm not afraid of technology so I tend to go mid to high level on appliances, cars, phones etc. That being said,

I choose those enhancements that I know I will actually use. Ice in the door of a fridge makes total sense to me and I don't consider that a "high-end" accessory. I have Bluetooth and heated seats in my car and I use these features often. I don't have a land line so a good cell phone is important.

I also tend to keep and use things for a longer time, so I buy the best I can afford.

~Enough is enough~

Chrystaltree2 · ‎12-08-2014

That's me! I am not really into technology and I only need applicances that get the job done. So, I don't need something that has all the latest, greatest bells and whistles. I don't replace things just for the sake of "upgrading". I do agree that the more functions an appliance performs; the greater the chances are for a breakdown and that appliance wears out faster. Like Keurigs. My daughter asked me if I wanted one for Christmas and I declined. Why? So I can pay a fortune for coffee? I have a $8.99 coffee maker from Walmart, I know how to brew a great cup of coffee. Same with my cell phone. I'll upgrade to smart phone when the phone I have dies. But it makes/receives calls and texts, plays my music, takes pictures/video. It does everything I need it to do. I'd much rather spend my money on new clothes and jewelry.

Chrystaltree2 · ‎12-08-2014

On 3/13/2015 betteb said:
I definitely feel that way about appliances. I once bought an upper model stove that was a floor model on deep discount. I had more trouble with that thing than I ever had with any other appliance.

I usually go looking and find the very bottom of the line Whirlpool appliance and then go one step up from that. My last washer/dryer lasted 10 yrs. My last fridge, 18yrs.

Funny, that's what I do. I find the least expensive appliance that has the features I need and then I then I go up a notch or two. We did that with the mattress we bought a year ago. I remember looking at "sleep systems" that cost as much as a really nice used car. No way!

Msmajell · ‎03-15-2010

We buy from all ends of the spectrum but mid-range is where most purchases are made. We recently bought a refrigerator and wandered through the designer kitchen department. They displayed a refrigerator that retailed for $17,000...never went that far! My husband likes high-tech. In the early '70s, he bought one of the first hand-held TI calculators, for maybe $170. We had come out of college having used slide-rules, and the ease of the calculator was worth it!

Marsha2003 · ‎03-12-2010

Like some of the other posters, I buy the item that best suits my needs. Sometimes, that means that I have to buy an item with more than the basic features in order to get the features I want.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 3/13/2015 mstyrion 1 said:
I'm not afraid of technology so I tend to go mid to high level on appliances, cars, phones etc. That being said,

I choose those enhancements that I know I will actually use. Ice in the door of a fridge makes total sense to me and I don't consider that a "high-end" accessory. I have Bluetooth and heated seats in my car and I use these features often. I don't have a land line so a good cell phone is important.

I also tend to keep and use things for a longer time, so I buy the best I can afford.

For those who have echoed this theme, keeping a product for a long time and buying the best you can AFFORD, it is such a smart decision.

The ultimate goal is to be satisfied with and happy to have/use the item and that it meets you needs. If it is either too expensive for your budget, or too complicated for you with lots on unneeded features, or is too basic to meet your needs and leaves you wanting, it isn't a good purchase.

Good philosophy!

Lacey1 · ‎03-09-2010

I would put myself in the 'Fuddy-Duddy', (as my kids say) realm of technology. I upgraded to an HD TV when my 30 year old TV finally gave up the ghost. I have a smart phone, but I still don't use all the features.

Appliances-definitely prefer older, plain ones. More reliable, and I love the retro look. Reminds me of when I was growing up.

I'm very surprised to say the idea of the new smart watches intrigues me. My son things it's a flash in the pan gadget, but I can see it being very handy. For instance, if you want to go for a walk, or work-out-you won't need to take your phone. Of course, I'll have to wait until it's been around for awhile, before I would take the plunge.

SHOPR · ‎04-17-2013

On 3/12/2015 mominohio said:
When it comes to things like cars, fridges, washer/dryer, shower/tubs, (even cell phones) etc. I prefer the basic model. I don't need the ice and water in the door, and all the fancy options. Same for cars, appliances, and the fancy showers and tubs with all the jets and things.

I think the top of the line things are really cool, but I don't want to pay what they cost, I don't want to maintain them (the more 'options' they have the more they break), and I get by just fine with the basic model, and really don't ever wish for something more grand.

I wonder if it is my age, and having mostly basic things all these years, and knowing that they just aren't necessary, or what. I love to see all the latest, fancy things when they come out, just don't have a desire to own them.

Anyone else a 'base model' kind of person?

I haven't read the other replies yet, but responding to your OP, I am that kind of person, in most instances, definitely. Having a dad and husband that either know or try to learn how to work on just about anything is probably the main reason for me--it is just their nature. If it's something they can work on, they will try to before seeking outside help, assuming there is no warranty left to be voided, etc. Times are changing, though, and I'm sure eventually everything will be too complicated, even the basic models of the various items.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 3/13/2015 SHOPR said:
On 3/12/2015 mominohio said:
When it comes to things like cars, fridges, washer/dryer, shower/tubs, (even cell phones) etc. I prefer the basic model. I don't need the ice and water in the door, and all the fancy options. Same for cars, appliances, and the fancy showers and tubs with all the jets and things.

I think the top of the line things are really cool, but I don't want to pay what they cost, I don't want to maintain them (the more 'options' they have the more they break), and I get by just fine with the basic model, and really don't ever wish for something more grand.

I wonder if it is my age, and having mostly basic things all these years, and knowing that they just aren't necessary, or what. I love to see all the latest, fancy things when they come out, just don't have a desire to own them.

Anyone else a 'base model' kind of person?

I haven't read the other replies yet, but responding to your OP, I am that kind of person, in most instances, definitely. Having a dad and husband that either know or try to learn how to work on just about anything is probably the main reason for me--it is just their nature. If it's something they can work on, they will try to before seeking outside help, assuming there is no warranty left to be voided, etc. Times are changing, though, and I'm sure eventually everything will be too complicated, even the basic models of the various items.

I have a rather handy husband as well, and he takes apart and fixes lots of things for us. He grew up very poor, and anything he wanted, he had to scrounge someone's cast off and figure out how to fix it up.

I have loved having him fix our old washers and dryers over the years, saving bunches of money, and he is a master certified auto and truck mechanic, so our cars run rather cheaply for at least a decade.

He understands and fixes a lot of the electronic components to things and cars as well, but is finding that just to buy the boards (if that is the correct term) to fix some things now, makes it more cost effective to pick up a new product entirely most times. Rather frustrating, but things now are designed to fail. The create a life expectancy in goods, in order to keep costs down, and in order to keep us buying.