How to find quality products that last
In recent years, I started to pay more attention to how the objects around me are built, designed, and how that translates into their long-term usage. No surprise here, mass-market products are usually of poor quality.
It has become challenging to find high-quality products that last a lifetime. We live in an era where attention is the main currency. The louder someone is, the better they are perceived. Therefore, companies became more focused on the story they tell, rather than improving the quality of their products.
Additionally, creating a flawless user experience on the e-commerce websites makes our choice feel easy, effortless, and convenient. From one-click checkout, 24-hour delivery, to saving your credit card in your account, everything is designed to decrease the time between the decision to buy something and actually making the purchase. There's no time for second thought when the experience doesn't require any thinking.
Analysing my own shopping behaviour reveals that I often purchase unnecessary things or products of poor quality. I've discovered a default route I take when buying online: I go on the website, navigate to the relevant category, sort the items by popularity, and then buy one of the top-rated products.
That's the most straightforward approach.
Our brains naturally tend to follow the path of least resistance, as it requires less energy. We often make choices based on convenience, proximity, and the story we hear, rather than quality or real needs.
What if there's another way? An approach in which we, the consumers, take control of what we consume instead of just settling for what's readily available? This would require more effort. First, there should be a conscious decision in how things are usually bought. This involves self-awareness and analyzing our shopping behavior, as well as exploring better alternatives to mass-market products.
Over the past few decades, many companies have begun producing similar products in the same categories, prioritizing profit over quality. Unfortunately, this has led to a decline in the overall craftsmanship. Many of them focus solely on being the loudest, rather than offering the best product on the market.
The best way to find life-lasting products
It is becoming increasingly challenging to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality products. While price can be an indicator, it is not always the best or most reliable measure of quality. In fact, quality is not necessarily correlated with price. You can spend hours reading reviews, but many of them are paid endorsements. On most platforms and social media, a significant portion of the reviews are sponsored.
This makes it challenging to connect with people who have genuinely used the product and can share their honest opinions. One of the best places to find authentic experiences with niche products is Reddit.
The best products I found
When searching for various products on Reddit, I frequently come across unfamiliar brands. Many professionals and individuals have their go-to products and are familiar with multiple brands that are not typically found on e-commerce platforms, or they are not the most visible. Reddit showcases real people's experiences.
In 1940, John B. Simrell founded the Jiffy Steamer Company, which remains family-owned and operated today. With an industrial look, Jiffy Steamer is one of the best vertical steamers ever made. It's primarily used in shops, where reliable tools are essential for high-volume operations.
While searching for a home option to make my coffee, I came across the Moka Express. Since 1919, Bialetti has revolutionized the way we experience coffee. Alfonso Bialetti created Moka Express. With a well-crafted design, it has passed the test of time in the last few decades.
At the end of my quest for a hair dryer, I stumbled upon the Parlux company. It is an Italian manufacturer of hair dryers and other related hair care electrical appliances. Found out it's a cost-effective alternative to the well-known Dyson. Most hairdressers and salon owners recommended it over other brands, saying that it's the most reliable and high-quality hair dryer they have ever used.
"We're too poor to buy cheap things."
This is the third entry in my digital journal. In the first part, I discussed how a small change in the user interface can have a significant cognitive impact. In the second part, I explored how being a consumer of objects often results in those items being forgotten in a drawer.
Best,
George