What items do you deem worth paying a premium price? (broad topic)

I was discussing this with a friend the other day, and it seems people are willing to spend top-dollar on different things. Even the term "top dollar" means different things to different people: for example, the person who pays a high price for the top-of-the-line of a major brand may actually be outspent by someone who buys a similar item from a boutique specialist (I've kept the item vague because it can be almost anything).

[EDIT: Not "collectors items" like video games, bb cards, comics, etc... that's a different topic]

So what do you consider worth a premium price (or the best you can afford), and what do you not (that other people might consider)?

I'll demonstrate with my own examples:

Willing to pay high prices for top quality:

• Bed: since I use it for at least 6 hours a day and I need to relax, I'm willing to spend a lot on a great mattress and a nice frame (in that order).
• Desk Chair: Alas, I spend the same amount of time sitting in it, so buying a really nice desk chair (to replace the one at work) seems like a wise purchase.

Don't see the purpose for paying top prices for

• TVs: ever since the Sony WEGA-type TVs came out, I really don't see the need to pay a fortune for the plasma/true-flat/HDTV stuff. While there is a screen improvement, I don't think it's worth $1000+++
• Cars: Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about a Saturn vs. a Bentley, but again I don't see the purpose in getting a car that's too fancy... especially now that I've lived in Minnesota for several year and seen what salt can do to a car :p

Those are just a few examples, what are yours and if you disagree with my choices, go ahead and state your case.

Neo Geo AES games are not worth the money.

Offbrand soda taste like shit.

I always buy storebrand meds though. $5 for real tylenol when the store brand is $2 and it's the exact same thing. Same applies to namebrand vs. generic Rx. meds.

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Originally Posted by buttasuperb

Neo Geo AES games are not worth the money.

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I'd qualify that and say the really prices one (i.e. $150+) probably aren't, but if you can get SamSho2 for $90 it's not an awful purchase. Or FFS for $50.

Still, I wanted to avoid video games and other collector items since they tend to follow subjective mindsets that don't work in this topic.

Offbrand quality, for me, depends on the Soda. Certain sodas that don't have any special licensing on the formula, taste good enough. I haven't seen anybody really mess up Root Beer, but maybe there are locations where some little known company does make Bad Root Beer.

However, generally those copycat sodas that try to taste like specific brand name products do it rather poorly. With certain small exceptions. Dr. Skipper (A safeway brand) actually tastes pretty close to Dr. Pepper in comparison to quite a few Mountain Dew ripoffs (all of which, get it horribly wrong).

Shoes since I don't buy them very often and only if the ones I'm presently wearing are falling apart. I don't mind paying top dollar for them if they're high quality and last a long time.

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Originally Posted by Bobak

Still, I wanted to avoid video games and other collector items since they tend to follow subjective mindsets that don't work in this topic.

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My sincerest apologies, bobster.

Alcohol.

In my college days, I was perfectly happy to buy utter shit whiskey like Clan MacGregor or Banker's Club and put it down with a chaser of Mickey's, OE, or Colt, but I can't handle all that hideous stuff anymore.

I'll gladly pay a high premium for good beer and good liquor.

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Originally Posted by Lycan645

Shoes since I don't buy them very often and only if the ones I'm presently wearing are falling apart. I don't mind paying top dollar for them if they're high quality and last a long time.

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This has been my dilemma since the 80s. I've had bad luck with top name brand shoes. Normally, when I get the top brand shoes, they last only but a fraction of time the cheaper alternatives have. For some reason, I think the durability aspect works backwards for shoes. The higher the demand and cost for them, the more likely they'll make ones that fall apart so you have to buy new ones. Don't get me wrong, I love some great shoes, but for some reason I can't justify the cost if I feel the shoes will not give me the durability the price calls for.

Only when it comes to shoes. I will settle for less when it comes to clothes, but not shoes. I would buy a cheap pair of Levi's over a really nice pair of Diesel Jeans. (just an example) When it comes to shoes nothing cheap is allowed on my feet. That goes for my wife and kids.

Also, not so much material items, but when it comes to services. Especially home repair, I believe you get what you pay for. I never do the work myself, unless I am 100% sure I can do it. I've learned my lesson. Never pay a family member who claims he can do it, unless he does it for a living. I just had my bathroom professionally re-tiled, because my uncle did it and it started falling apart after 2 years. I won't name them all, but I've had other family members do work that I had to fix.

Also I agree with Bobak on his mattress opinion.

Oh ya, and I forgot Alcohal. I don't drink Beer or Wine to get drunk. I never buy cheap beer, and I only drink cheap wine when I'm a guest at someones house and it's given to me. And I never put a price on food.

Not Worth a Premium:

Cars... if it runs great, gets you from point A to B and keeps you alive in a crash.. that's all you need. Especially for something that immediately drops THAT much in value when you turn the key for the first time.

Music, Specifically CD's -- $20 for one or two good songs... PFFT!

Computers -- What can be had for a princely sum can be had close to, if not in a lot of cases exceeding that performance can be had for much less....

Video Games -- 'Nuff Said


Worth a Premium:

Real Estate, Houses, particularly -- ABout the only thing I cna think of where you get what you pay for.

For me, Home repair and Car repair I will always pay the bigger up-front price on. The main reason is, the cheap alternative always is more costly, in the end. Heck, pay premium and you actually pay less for the repair than you would for having it done, and then having to do it again because the quality was lacking.

That's why I always will do what I can to fork over the loot for repairs. More often than not, that option is the cheapest method, and the best method all in one.

I look for quality in everything. Also how rare something is to find in the masses.

Cars, electronics, new threads, watches, and all other sorts of gadgets.

I am not a brand name person sorta speak, I want stuff that lasts a long time. But for example when I buy new threads they have to be sturdy and have that feel of being well made. I don't care about the brand lable, it's the craftmanship that went into it, you simply can tell.

And I rarely actually buy stuff to collect it because I want to wait till it grows in value. If I buy something that is rare, it's only because I actually like it and want to keep it.

Even though we're trying to stay away form the game stuff, I buy a rare game after I have done the research to see if the games is actually worth playing. If I like it and it happens to be uber rare that just happens to be a bonus or my misfortune for missing the game in the first place. Which happens more offten than I like, I end up missing those titles/games that end up being limited runs and actually great games to boot. :rolleyes:

worth paying top dollar for:

orange juice. the extra $1 / gallon for fresh squeezed instead of bullshit concentrate? YES PLZ!

computer hardware. im not talking $600 video card insanity, im talking buying current mid range and from a reputable brand. buying cheap out of date crap or no name brands is a big mistake.

speakers. if you buy crap, you will listen to crap. its as simple as that.




not worth top dollar:

pretty much any food product, or anything you buy from the grocery store. store brand is just as good.

beds. i currently sleep on a futon couch. ive slept on floors and pure cotton stuffed matress things. i do have lower back problems on occassion but i dont care. a beds a bed. and a floor is just as good.

cars. if it moves and its reliable its golden. if its over $2000 no thanks.

clothes and shoes. wait for a sale, buy levis and converse/vans. when the sale hits they are as cheap as the cheapest shit and will last forever. fuck designer clothes. sears fashion is where its at, motherfucker. :mad:

1. I only buy DAWN dish soap. Everything else is pure shit. The cheap shit doesn't pay since you have to use 3 times as much and you have to do twice the work.

2. There are only two brands of Hot Sauce. Franks and Tobasco..... Everything else is shit.

3. 3 Olives or Kettle One Vodka. If your blowing your money on Grey Goose, you might as well get Smirnofs.

4. I will not Drink BEAST beer.

5. Western Digital Hard drives. Seagate is shit.

6. The only boot worth buying is Nubuck colored Timberlands. Leave all the Lugs to the Wanna Be thugs and Wiggers.

7. No Cars made by American car companies. Chevy/Ford/Dodge are all shit and go to shit. Especialy where I live (Salt). They have cheaper parts but you have to spend twice as much to keep them them running.

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Originally Posted by gmw

Alcohol.

In my college days, I was perfectly happy to buy utter shit whiskey like Clan MacGregor or Banker's Club and put it down with a chaser of Mickey's, OE, or Colt, but I can't handle all that hideous stuff anymore.

I'll gladly pay a high premium for good beer and good liquor.

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I TOTALLY agree with this, though I must note that I've never really been able to handle the bad brands. Also, I'll pay top dollar (well, as much as I and my insurance can afford) for a highly qualified doctor with an awesome reputation.

There aren't really too many other things I would pay top dollar for, at least not that I can think of right now....

cars, often times you get what you pay for.
but honestly everything drops to a reasonable price for those who wait
for just about everything. it's just separating yourself from the hype that's all.

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Originally Posted by FeelGood

worth paying top dollar for:

orange juice. the extra $1 / gallon for fresh squeezed instead of bullshit concentrate? YES PLZ!

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I totally agree with you on this. I was raised in the citrus growing parts if the CA Central Valley and I was used to getting good OJ. Now I normally buy Naked Juice or Odwalla when I'm at the store, but another brand, Bolthouse Farms, from my hometown of Bakersfield has also started appearing on the shelves across the country and it tastes just like the fresh OJ I grew up with.

Gotta have quality shoes. I've paid more for one pair of shoes than anything electronic (and I bought them 6 years ago). Had them re-soled for $40, still going strong.

Watches are another. They make a great impression, serve a function and last for years.

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Originally Posted by norton9478

6. The only boot worth buying is Nubuck colored Timberlands.

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Dr. Martens

[QUOTE=Abasuto]

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Originally Posted by norton9478

6. The only boot worth buying is Nubuck colored Timberlands.QUOTE]

Dr. Martens

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Doc Martens are excellent, however beware as they've shipped manufacturing to China and the quality is not up to their standards on those made there.

Not all are made in China, so be sure to buy the ones made in England.

i'll pay for well-made clothes and shoes more than anything else. not nescessarily designer brands or stuff like that, but if i like the way it looks and can appreciate the work that goes into making and designing it, i'll buy it if they've got my size.

i'll pay for a good meal too. i rarely do, but when i get the urge, i'll pay dinner for me and the lady at a nice restaurant. and that thing about the OJ is true for me too. same for booze. give me the good stuff so that when i wake up in the morning i don't have a splitting headache. you are what you eat.

when i need a new tool, like a drill or a saw or something, i'll usually buy the best i can afford, because i know it'll last me a long time and i'll use it many times. i'm about to drop $3000 on a sewing machine, because i know it'll last me forever, and i'll get a lot of use out of it.

and, this probably falls into the collector category, but i'm more than willing to spend a bunch of money on artwork.

things that aren't worth paying a premium for are:

1. cars - my 95 honda civic has done me well. it's got over 150K miles and it's dented and starting to rust, but it's still running strong.
2. electronics - i move too much for me to invest any money in this stuff. everytime i move stuff gets damaged or lost, so i usually end up buying a new stereo/dvd player every time.
3. furniture - see #2.

There really is no such thing as well made cloathing...

It's all made by kids in east asia...

SOme just hire smaller kids than others.

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Originally Posted by norton9478

There really is no such thing as well made cloathing...

It's all made by kids in east asia...

SOme just hire smaller kids than others.

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not if it's italian made. or made by the tailor.

Worth a premium:

Computer: Want one that will last and won't be that obsolete quickly.
Beer: skunky canadian/american/mexican piss does not sit well. Like my imports.
electronics in general: not talking fancy stuff like plasma tvs, but will go with a well known brand name that won't break easily

Not worth it:

Clothes: If I can get a comfortable pair of pants on sale at JCpenny for 20 bucks, I see no reason to buy an 80 dollar pair at American Eagle or Abercrombie and Fudgepackers INC that I wouldn't be able to wear half the year anyway. Also applies to crap like sunglasses.

Bed: I've found I can no longer sleep on fluffy box springs and the like. Currently just sleep on a mattress on the floor.

Furniture: Why spend 100's on oak shelfing when you can get a bookcase at target for 40 dollars to hold movies/ Neo games etc..

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Originally Posted by beatifik

not if it's italian made. or made by the tailor.

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or Dolphins. I'd pay top dollar for Dolphin made clothing.


I'm a gadget hound, so I will pay top dollar for Watches, trinkets, etc.

Clothing in general. I find owning a few Burberry shirts does more for me than constantly buying cheap clothing. I also paid a lot of money for a Harris Tweed coat that I love...but you just don't find Harris Tweed in the states very often.

Important:

Hats- I am a big hat guy, and I only get nice fitted ones, not shit.

Computer hardware- Need somthing that works fast and is reliable.

Pink Ipods!- To match my Pink Polo shirt, Green Truckers hat, and Diesal Jeans :kekeke:

Suits- I tutered dumbass high-school kids for 6 months so I can buy myself a nice suit for job interviews and special events. Gotta look classy.

Not important:

Video games- Although some expensive games are worth it ( chrono trigger, Valkyrie profile.) but most of these new games are not worth $50.

Sunglasses- Wtf is the deal with these things.

Shoes, more specifically athletic shoes. I'm not even really that serious of a runner, but it's surprising how much difference there is between a nice pair of New Balance shoes and a cheap pair of Nikes or something.

I would pay top dollar for:

Good food and fine wine
Suits
Computer Gear

Would not pay top dollar for:

Games
Cars
Movies
many material objects


GAMEFAN

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Originally Posted by Abasuto

Offbrand soda taste like shit.

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I was mysteriously addicted to American Choice coke for 50-minutes temporarily. Ended up drinking 13 cans of them, and my bladder went nuts overnight.

Anyhoo, I would give up plenty of dough for...

Vintage Metal Slug items. (Things like resins, magazines, calendars, etc. No games.)
Good food.
Good drink.
Hot chick.

Can't think of anything else right now.

Well worth the premium price:

A clean and classy hooker that can pour a nice cold glass of real OJ... and then some.


Not worth a premium price:

Circus midget porn. :rolleyes:

I will pay top dollar for clothes, shoes/boots, and watches.

I guess that's been well known around here for a while.

worth paying extra for:
anything i really want.
drugs.

not worth paying extra for:
anything i don't want.

Worth the premium price: Organic fruits and vegetables, especially if within walking distance.

Not worth the premium price: Bottled fucking water.

http://store1.yimg.com/I/eas4less_1863_125821612

24 bottles of Penta water, each 1/2 liter=$52.99 :rolleyes:

P.S. I will also pay a premium price for bottled pussay juice.

I have a small rule I go by when it comes to buying electronics:

ALWAYS BUY A NAME BRAND

this can be:

Pansonic
Sony
Samsung
Toshiba
Philips

in other words, if you see some "new" or unfamiliar company, I stay away

that's it, one simple rule, the only time I don't follow it is when it concerns computer parts and that's probably because I feel like whatever I buy will be obsolete (and cheaper) soon anyway

another thing i dont waste money on is eating out. expensive restaurants with bills in the several hundreds for your group is fucking insane and makes zero sense to me.


something i might pay a premium on (doesnt always apply) are fishes / lizards from a good pet store. yeah you can get a $3 gecko anywhere, but its better to get them from a clean reputable store. this doesnt always mean they are more expensive though, which is why i said it doesnt always apply.

unfortunately all im doing these days is taking care of an outdoor pond with gold/koi fish. :crying: looking into puting together some sort of half land / half water tank sometime this year though. :eye::eye:

worth a high price:

personal things - things that make me happy. like, household items that add to my ability to live comfortably

not worth the high price:

non personal things - things that i have no control over. like, bills...bills...any kind of tax...or payment to the government. gas is another thing that fits into this catagory.

Toilet Paper : I don't like the cheap stuff - it's leaves little snowballs in my ass hair.

Soda : It might be Sam's Choice but let me tell you something Jack - It's not Dinkins' choice.

Weed : Can't even smoke the seeded stuff anymore.

Steak : I don't like my steak to have the same consistency as a throw-rug.

Headphones : I listen to absurd amounts of music. I finally broke down and bought a good pair of Sennheisers. It was well worth it (the same applies to speakers.)

Razors : Disposable Bics and the like irritate my baby-ass face (can't use electrics - they do the same thing.) I look forward to the day when they'll make 'em with around 20 - 25 separate razors on each disposable head and they'll take two hands to wield.

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Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Weed : Can't even smoke the seeded stuff anymore.

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Who can?!!

Things I don't understand paying top dollar for:

Bottled Water : Trendy "designer" water makes my ass bleed. Let me clue you in on something - water isn't "designed." Underpants and silly fag hats fall under the designer label. If you're going to buy bottled water buy the gallon for 60 cents and forget about the three thousand dollar teaspoonful of Fiji.

Cars : The amount of money money Curt has spent on fag rockets in the last three weeks could support at least 33 Chinese families for the next decade. His type is always puttzing down the highway while leaning to the left in his seat with his right arm all limp-wristed and placed trendily atop the steering wheel. I always blow by these tools at a blazing, vibrating 55 (that's where my piece tops out) in my mint '95 Cavalier. I spent 5,000 on the car and 75 cents on a bumper sticker that says "Enjoy the taste of my dust" just so the Curts of this world are left to wonder what could have been.

Charity : Fuck Africa. Seriously though I don't give a shit about Africa, I work so I can buy what I want when I want it.

Clothes : I'm all for looking sharp, but Beatifik recently admitted he spent some outrageous amount of money on a pair of jeans (something around a grand.) One pair of jeans. That makes him gay by default.

Over the counter medicines : Any cough syrups that are of like colors are the same.

94 Grand Am > 95 Cavalier.

To generalize things, I'd pay top dollar for electronics and I wouldn't dare pay more than $80 for any single piece of clothing/shoes/whatever.

Things I would and do, pay top dollar for:

-Headphones; anyone who considers themselves a music junkie/aficionado(sp?) NEEDS a top-quality grade of cans
-Computer monitor; being a designer and someone with corrective lenses, my name-brand LCD monitor has been a dream come true
-Furniture in general; More often than not, the more you're paying, the better the quality. Although there seems to be a weird disparity between pricey furniture and EXTREMELY pricey furniture, wherein you're paying for something you don't honestly need or a design thats "unique" but is really just ugly or novel for novelty's sake.
-Television; I don't own a top quality model, only because i can't afford it, but I can see the reasoning behind shelling out $3000+ for a nice plasma/LCD display


Things I would not, an do not pay top dollar for:
-Cellphone; its a tool that at most is necessary for emergency situations, not a fucking billboard for your personality
-Car; another tool for getting places, not that big of a deal
-Shoes; I don't ever remember paying more than MAYBE $60 for a pair of shoes. I own a pair of Rockport's that I bought for like $35....over six years ago. I haven't bought a pair of shoes in over a year, and my Vans still look new.
-CDs; Overpriced already, the only time I overpay is if I can't possibly find it anywhere else

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Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Clothes : I'm all for looking sharp, but Beatifik recently admitted he spent some outrageous amount of money on a pair of jeans (something around a grand.) One pair of jeans. That makes him gay by default.

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um, i gonna have to defend myself here and say i've never spent more than $325 on a pair of jeans.

as for the "gay by default" remark, uh, no comment :emb:

Also, I don't understand paying top dollar for hard liquor (beer is a different story.)

I have consumed more hard alcohol than Mushiki will in his lifetime and the varieties of Grey Goose that skinny peach tree of a man wastes his money on makes me giggle. The only hard alcohol (as in a type with a considerably high proof) that's genuinely enjoyable to drink straight (or preferably with a splash of water in this case) is Jack Daniels black label. No wannabe-be socialite will tell me different as it would be like a Shriner giving Evil Knievel driving tips. Vodka is one step shy of turpentine regardless of how “refined” it is, Mushiki doesn't know any better but that's not an excuse. Yes - it mixes well as do many drinks, but straight out of the bottle (as he seems to prefer it) is just no good. He also claims to be an international supermodel, Jesus Christ Superstar, an Argentinean television mogul, and an expert martial artist trained in a dojo of his own creation so take from that what you may. Let me tell you something... if Mushiki and I were trapped on a desert island I would choke the life out of him with my frightening man-hands and I would use his dead body to knock coconuts out of palm trees.

Basically the main reason I posted this was to sully the name of Mushiki, the part about the booze was secondary (but very much true.)

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Originally Posted by beatifik

um, i gonna have to defend myself here and say i've never spent more than $325 on a pair of jeans.

as for the "gay by default" remark, uh, no comment :emb:

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:lol: $325!? I thought I was dumb for spending $55 for a pair of jeans a few years back. Pants fade way too quickly to be bought for such a high dollar. I refuse to buy a pair for more then $35 nowdays. I bet you don't even wear them anymore, do you? They're probably not "stylish" anymore.

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Originally Posted by abdul.

Pink Ipods!- To match my Pink Polo shirt, Green Truckers hat, and Diesal Jeans :kekeke:

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fag

tools. i find that if it isn't matco or craftsman or snapon or mac (happy dinkins and other guy?) it's not that great and will either strip bolts or the wrench will extend in lenghth mid turn or something. not something i like.

shoes: i used to walk everywhere when i was younger, school, store, arcade, hangouts, wherever it was i had a route to walk there. and i learned that good shoes are few and far between and when i say good i mean ones that can stand to walk at least a mile or more every day and still feel comfortable. especially since most of my routes involved fence hopping, woods, creeks, and trails i invented it was a real test to find good shoes that could put up with it.


soda: i refuse to drink the bargain bin shit. i wont do it i will pay the extra dollar or so for quality in each sip simple as that

music: if i find someone i like i mean really like i will go out and buy all of their albums just to have it. if i love a good band or sound to the point that i'm willing to pay for their stuff i will buy all that i can.

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Originally Posted by Kim _Kaphwan

tools. i find that if it isn't matco or craftsman it's not that great and will either strip bolts or the wrench will extend in lenghth mid turn or something. not something i like.

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Snap On?

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Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Snap On?

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MAC?

The things I'm paying premium price for:
-Watches: I can ruin myself for those. I love luxury watches since I'm a teenager. I'm like women in front of Jewelry stores. I already bought a Rolex oyster datejust but I'm planning to buy a new one when I will go back to France.
-Shoes: We have wonderful shoes makers in France (JM Weston for example) and I always buy top quality shoes for work.
-Cars: Hand made engines is the only way to go (Perhaps 0,00001% will understand this). It has a price.
-Food: I like good meat, cheese and vegetable and this also has a price.

The things I will never pay for:
-Electronics: I don't care
-Cell phone: The same
-Holidays: I'm not the kind of guy who want to go thousand miles away from where he lives to enjoy holidays.