brand spin offs of the '90s, buying policy

   In the mid 1990s, major brands in the consumer marketplace began developing and marketing versions of their products for the economy minded buyers. One example is Chaps. The Polo/Chaps brands were both good products. However, one was designed for the economy class and therefore was not quite the same as the original and, therefore, did not have the same 'prestige.'
   That was the  thing. Companies were marketing their names and not their products. In some cases, the lesser product was still an excellent buy, as in the case of Chaps polo shirts. They were a very good deal. In other cases, the lesser product would be a prestige item only. None of the quality associated with the original would pass to the spin off.
   I noticed several changes over time in a couple of products of interest to me.
   Overall, I have a hunch that people are getting less for their money now.
   What does not occur to anyone is that the companies with the famous brand names, originally got their fame through their products. Eventually, over the decades, the brand may have changed hands or the management changed and the market took precedence over quality. Eventually, the company survived on its name. There had to be some quality, of course, but not the peer rating the brand once had.
   There are valid reasons to spend money on a brand item. Longevity. A lot of products look good but will not last. Some may last a while but are poorly designed, fit-wise and ergonomically. Style. Some products may fulfill the other criteria but are, quite frankly, ugly, garish, generally of poor taste.
   These qualities do not often occur in inexpensive products. You may end up buying several lesser items for the same cost as a more expensive , better made item.
   If this sounds like work, it can be. It can be some fun sometimes. Surfing eBay for a good deal can be exciting, especially when you find the item. I once found a well known brand (think twins) kitchen knife in a local thrift store for fifty cents. The knife retailed for almost a hundred dollars on the manufacturer's website. The knife could be found for less, but not much. I enjoy using the knife when I cook.
   Needless to say, success at this approach requires a lot of knowledge and research. Even then, there will be an occasional mistake due to incorrect or outdated information or some other seemingly trivial event. There's money to be saved, but the work involved can sometimes equal the difference in price.
  This approach can quickly become exhausting so the technique is reserved for certain types of items. I'm not so picky about the t-shirts I wear, among other things. A good Winter coat, cookware, tools in general, including kitchen tools, and Art and food and drink can be improved with some effort. Again, there's a trade-off in time versus money.