Brand Mania
Posted 16th May 2008 at 11:22 AM by MeenLoch
How many of you prefer branded goods to normal ones ?
I think for most of us, we are selective. For somethings, we are particular about brand, the rest anything is fine.
Here is what I read about Designer brand in Eckhart Tolle's book the "New Earth".
"Designer Brands are identity enhancers, enhancer of false identity. If everybody could buy branded stuff, they will lose their psychological value. What remains is the material value (monetary value), which is multiple times the actual price of the stuff"
Newyork is a fashion city as all of you would know. You get the highest possible brands in the stores, a shoe worth $350 is normal there. Similarly in India, if you visit branded stores like "Lifestyle" or "Sri Krishna's", a top may cost you 1000 bucks, just because of their high end customers and brand value. You definitely can get it for lower price outside, if you are willing to search. With IT money flowing in hands of youngsters, everybody wants a posh life. So they splurge money on material goods like never before.
And talk about peer pressure. If you work in a place, where everybody dresses so well, that you might be look cheap for your outfits ( Not because you didn't dress well enough, but because of everyone else), it becomes mandatory to buy good stuff. I am not sure if one would look into brands of accessories you carry, but if they do, they might even judge you.
PS - Eckhart's book is about birth of a new earth, new consciousness. It is transforming many lives. The webcasts are available on oprah.com for free. Anybody can watch it. He has put together spiritual teachings of east and his own realizations in a simple, understandable, practical and beautiful way. So if you have time and interest, i would recommend this book and webinars.
I think for most of us, we are selective. For somethings, we are particular about brand, the rest anything is fine.
Here is what I read about Designer brand in Eckhart Tolle's book the "New Earth".
"Designer Brands are identity enhancers, enhancer of false identity. If everybody could buy branded stuff, they will lose their psychological value. What remains is the material value (monetary value), which is multiple times the actual price of the stuff"
Newyork is a fashion city as all of you would know. You get the highest possible brands in the stores, a shoe worth $350 is normal there. Similarly in India, if you visit branded stores like "Lifestyle" or "Sri Krishna's", a top may cost you 1000 bucks, just because of their high end customers and brand value. You definitely can get it for lower price outside, if you are willing to search. With IT money flowing in hands of youngsters, everybody wants a posh life. So they splurge money on material goods like never before.
And talk about peer pressure. If you work in a place, where everybody dresses so well, that you might be look cheap for your outfits ( Not because you didn't dress well enough, but because of everyone else), it becomes mandatory to buy good stuff. I am not sure if one would look into brands of accessories you carry, but if they do, they might even judge you.
PS - Eckhart's book is about birth of a new earth, new consciousness. It is transforming many lives. The webcasts are available on oprah.com for free. Anybody can watch it. He has put together spiritual teachings of east and his own realizations in a simple, understandable, practical and beautiful way. So if you have time and interest, i would recommend this book and webinars.
Total Comments 5
Comments
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Brandmania is definitely catching on. I can vouch more and more people are believing in buying branded items.
Personally,I would go for a quality product and I don't really fall for brands. Infact, I somehow feel paying for the brands are beyond my league and mostly just not worth it.
Its a different matter if you know it would last longer, but in cases of clothes I would rather renew my closet frequently than wearing the same stuff over years.
Moreover, don't you think with time, we always need to renew almost everything at home?Posted 16th May 2008 at 06:44 PM by Ranganayaki
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Brand mania, ML, is more, "to keep up with the Jones". As much as the brands, in Chennai, where you buy also counts. My daughter got herself a beautiful handbag for Rs 1000 from a leading shop in Delhi. After 2 months, I went to Pondy Bazaar pavement shopping & saw its duplicate (in imitation?), for 25% of that prize & promptly bought it. I have been using it for more than year & infact have taken the life out of it!
Echkart's book sounds too interesting to resist!
Love,
Chithra.Posted 16th May 2008 at 09:39 PM by Chitvish
Updated 16th May 2008 at 09:39 PM by Chitvish -
RN,
Missed these comments.
I have similar opinion about brands. Paying for brand is useless. And that, you want refreshment of clothes is a good rationale behind.
During her brithdays, my cousin donates all her clothes to orphanages. Sounds cool right ?
Brand mania is what makes several high end stores survive. There are people who probably don't know what to do with money
..Posted 19th May 2008 at 09:17 AM by MeenLoch - Chithu mam,
If you curb impulsive buys, it helps, specially in case of brands. Do you see that, minimal consumption is no more a virtue like even till a decade back ?
I am sure you would love to visit this site. storyofstuff.com..Posted 19th May 2008 at 09:19 AM by MeenLoch -
Hi Meenloch, brand is a promise by the manufacturer. For consumers, it is a short-cut to a quick decision without having to worry about assessing the durability and longevity of the product. However, for a brand to sustain its premium, it has to keep the equation correct. You are only willing to pay for what is materially and emotionally worth to you. Once that equation goes out of whack, the brand starts to loose the ability to command a premium right? Think Cadillac. Used to be a great luxury brand in the 60's and 70's. Now when people ask Luxury cars, does Cadillac come to mind?Posted 23rd May 2008 at 12:11 PM by Jey
