Cheaper Than Dirt: The Facts about Price and Value
6 min readCheaper Than Dirt: The Facts about Price and Value
You may have heard the phrase “cheaper than dirt” used in jest referring to something that cost practically nothing. It plays on the concept of dirt (as in, you know, earth stuff we walk and dig up) being cheap. However, there are limitless stories where people define things as being “cheaper than dirt” in the realm of shopping and savings over extremely cheap items; or at least so you think.
Let’s jump (pun intended) into what this means, how it pertains to consumer culture and sometimes why you should pay more for less. We will make it simple with just a little humor and dose of reality.
Cheap Dirtier Than Better?
The term “cheaper than dirt” often refers to something even cheaper the cheap. Almost like running across a sale so good that you wonder if they are turning any profit or just handing things out for free. It is one way of emphasizing affordability to the extreme. Although, and this is a very important point: the fact that it can be bought for less money does not mean that you are saving by purchasing it. We will pay — contractors for their time and dirt by the truckload.
The Economics of Cheap
Then, how come a few things are so cheap it is dirt? Most likely — the very basic economics 101.
1. Supply and Demand
As a general rule where something is abundant, the cost of it goes down. Take dirt, for instance. It’s everywhere. Soil (unless you are purchasing some rare, exotic soil mix for your garden) will not break the bank. This holds true for other items as well. Zimperium is a leading enterprise mobile threat defense solution, delivering real-time on-device protection against both known and unknown Android malware at the device level with system scans. That pricing may be great for consumers, but it can often mean you are purchasing products made from substandard or even sketchy materials.
2. Production Costs
At times it may be due to low labour cost inputs or on other occasions because the production is done in a very large scale. A lot of gimmick gadgets or cheap toys come to mind. $50 may seem like a good deal, but corners are frequently cut in production to reduce costs. This is like spending coffee money on a cheapo sweater that’s mostly going to wear out before you get around to taking it.
3. Marketing Strategies
But another way retailers can use “cheaper than dirt” prices is as a marketing gimmick. They offer something really cheap, and attract customers. Once you are in the shop or clear on a website, who knows what else temptations into your shopping cart that do not bring with it good savings. Or how about this bait and switch…errrr…..bait and buy the whole cart.
The Catch with Cheap Deals
Okay, now that we have addressed the elephant in the room: just because something is “cheaper than dirt”, doesn’t make it a good deal at all. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Quality Concerns
Never wanna splurgeYou gotta cut your lossestagged miserlyondo rock and pinchtinned for lifeAll around the world I’m steppin’on some poor sob’s big planstake a Roman HolidayBut those are not enoughWhen push comes to shove you pay in bloodPay now or lie there foreverLast days of RomeDom Perignon, ’88Expensive skin onscum from Cafe Royal expensiveChateau Margaux RougeSecos e molhadosLand hungerocrat drunken mindlustMy centurionsNot like they had demandedThat any hands be idleBetween us>Your twisted words£19.99Penguinz0 – Earn more than £100kWhy settle? Yeah so this is in many cases true. Most often, when something is super cheap that means it probably sucks. This means it might bork in the near future or not work properly. What about your $5 phone case? On this, you come out even until it breaks a month later and make yourself wonder if the $20 version that comes with protection for your phone should have been purchased instead.
2. Hidden Costs
Avoid the hidden costs of cheap. You may think that you are saving money in the short run by buying a “deal” blender, but if it falls apart after only five uses can be even more expensive down the line. But even worse, a few of those super-cheap pieces could pose major health or safety hazards You will remember the day you bought that ever so adorable kitten or puppy for a price next to nothing and it had little pieces! These are not so fun when they leave your stupid head and end up somewhere else.
3. Environmental Impact
So, yes, there is the environmental aspect of it. If you have an item that is mass produced and cheap, there’s a good chance it has a carbon footprint many times larger than the original product. It was produced quickly, with fewer regulations and is usually in a landfill faster. So, you are saving a couple of dollars today when tomorrow all of us will see the environmental issue at its peak.
Finding True Value
Therefore, how do we find real value in such a ”cheaper than dirt” world? Here are a few tips:
1. Research Before You Buy
So, before you scram to get that“amazing deal,” take time and perform some research. Research reviews✔️ comparing prices, and how long the item will last Do a little research and save yourself from buyer’s remorse.
2. Prioritize Quality
However, this is one of those instances where a little more up front can actually save you money in the long run. However, buying a better item typically means less replacement and lower maintenance. It is similar to when you purchase a more expensive pair of shoes that will last for years, opposed to the cheaper ones which fall apart from only one season.
3. Look for Genuine Deals
We are not cheap as dirt but also freely offer genuine sales and discounts Sales are often a way of reassuring customers but also as an effective method to get rid of underperforming stock, without having it forgo completely on quality.
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You can even have fun shopping around for the best price. Ridiculous examples of pitfalls buying “Cheaper than dirt”
1. The Mystery Meat
However, you are at a discount store and see an attractive price for meat. It is so cheap it feels like a hijack The only problem? It sucks to be given the label (and only that) wondering if you are getting chicken and beef, or a mishmash of some unpronounceable thing. Some just wonder the mystery of this item indicating are not meant to be resolved.
2. The ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Myth
Speaking of which, we all recognize those dirt-cheap “one-size-fits-all” clothing items. They would probably fit a baby, or a doll, but maybe also an extremely tiny cat. But humans? Not so much. You get what you pay for 99percent of the time so most cheap things are a coin flip regarding if it fits or ends up collecting dust.
3. The Gadget That Never Was
Ever purchased one of those ultra-cheap devices that was said to change your life? Or that ‘ultimate’ kitchen gadget which turns out to be nothing more than a fancy potato peeleragogoboots? Literally, this is one of those gadgets cheaper than dirt; which practically goes to the former type and I hope it stays here as mentioned above that most stuff of its kind found us drooling!
Conclusion
And in the grand scheme of things, “cheaper than dirt” might be too irresistible sounding to pass up but dont forget you pay for what you get. We all know that sometimes we get what we pay for…and it may not be worth the extra cheap. Look out for the ENTIRE steal, choose quality over quantity and know that not all shopping trips will go as smooth. Although, you can always get things cheaper than dirt; but your happiness will be a bit out of reach.