From time to time there will be things in the market that people will go mad over it. It will start out as a fad and people will buy them like crazy. And very often I dont get carried away, simply because I cannot afford them. But there are certain brands that I just dont understand. I dont understand why the brand has to be that expensive and why people prefers buying them over a cheaper alternative. I just dont understand it. DUH!
- Starbucks Organizer - Every year, coffee addicts will scramble to get their own organizer from Starbucks. Stamp here and there. I even read a forum thread of an angry patron who wasnt able to get his/her organizer because of some technicalities. The person was really mad like it meant life and death. You have to spend more than a thousand to get hold of one Starbucks Organizer. Others would buy from those who are selling them at 1,500Php. By January it will go as low as 500Php. I got mine for free last March.
Why should it be Starbucks? Is it the design? The leather? The paper? Does it have to be that flashy? I dont get it. I can survive with a simple organizer I can get from any bookstore. Or I’ll just wait for free complementary organizers every year from friendly companies. - Crocs - I don’t know how much these sandals cost but I find them weird. I first saw Crocs from an officemate who wore them. It defied fashion. He matched his colored shirt and blue jeans with orange sandals. What! Orange-colored sandals? But when he told me they were Crocs, it seems that it justified everything. Then I started noticing more people wearing them. Even kids. Its easy to see them since they are wearing the brightest colored sandals around. Why Crocs? I asked one guy and he said that its lightweight and feels like you are not wearing anything. Then dont wear anything. Its cheaper that way.
- Lacoste shirts - It’s like Giordano Tee in the 90s. Everybody wants them. I want them as well. But I could buy three shirts or more from a local brand for a price of one Lacoste shirt. What would be the difference? The only difference I can see with my eyes is the logo. So I’m paying more than a thousand pesos just for the logo. The cloth is better? A very subjective reason but buying comfort doesn’t have to be expensive all the time. As long as I dont get itch, rashes, or some disease with the local brand, I’d stick to it.
- Havianas - This is the number one DUH! brand for me. My first encounter was when I saw a long line in Glorietta during a sale. I asked what was the line for, Quennie said its for Havianas. It was a new name for me so I took a peek at the store. What! They are lining up for a bunch of slippers?! WHAT! Those slippers could cost up to a thousand pesos?! I cant forget my reaction that day. That’s why the thought of buying a pair of Havianas still haunts me. Why should I get one? Because its durable? Well, I got my Duralite slippers for over a hundred pesos and they are still ok after six years. Fashionable? There are brands that cost so much less. And I couldn’t get over why some people would buy up to six pairs of Havianas. A lot of people got scammed at Multiply because of these slippers. To me, they are still slippers like the ones I use to play patintero with.
In fairness to the brands, they did a really good job in promoting their wares. But I’d rather stay in the sideline until I earn my first million.
