Try before you buy?

[jstafford1]

Being a practical person I like to try before I buy. This isn't always easy with tech items. So, I've taken to looking for cheap versions of things I might like to try and see how it'll work in my situation. My G watch was only 86 bucks.... Not a huge investment to see if a smart watch was for me, worked out better than I thought.
Found a keyboard folio case for my tablet, only 18 bucks. It's an off brand I think but works fine and looks good to me.
Today found a Bluetooth earpiece. Again 18 bucks, and for playing with it a couple hours seems like it might be a keeper.

With these my plan is to eventually upgrade to a better version. But it's nice to see how it'll work for me and not drop alot or have to worry about if it's returnable.

So anyone else like or tried this strategy to get their tech fix?

 

[Sajo]

Yep...I have a few times also. Same deal with the G Watch....found mine on E Bay, "worn once and didn't like" for $88. Right around the time VZW dropped it to $99. Like you said....it has worked out to be a great deal for me, I like it more than I thought I would. About two years ago I got my wife a Kindle Fire HD for free using hotel loyalty points (I used to travel a lot!!!!!) and she loved it. Mainly for book reading, but liked it just as a tablet also. I liked it so much I got myself one.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Jeffrey]

Sounds like your doing well with your purchases.. Keep us updated with make and models....

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I usually go whole hog. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

Is say the G watch was the latest thing I did this with though. Got mine for $99 from vzw right after I got my Christmas bonus at work. I'll definitely be watching for the next gen android wear devices, because now I know that a better one would be worth the price.

The only other thing I can think of is the Bluetooth headphones I recently purchased. They were under $50 & recommended by a member of the forum. I'm no audiophile, but I do notice a considerable difference between their sound & the $10 ear buds that I threw away. They serve my needs just fine & sound great, so I probably won't upgrade them any time soon, unless they break or disappear.

Sent from my Note 4 via Tapatalk

 

[94lt1]

I try to do this as well.. But i find on things that have to last, I go whole hog..i guess with the thought of, you get what you pay for.. Though that isn't always the case.. Its a buyer beware world..

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I try to do this as well.. But i find on things that have to last, I go whole hog..i guess with the thought of, you get what you pay for.. Though that isn't always the case.. Its a buyer beware world..

I was raised with a "get what you pay for" mentality. I believe it's better to pay a little more for something that's my in line with what you want & will (hopefully) last longer than to save a bit of money & be further disappointed.

But, as you've said, that doesn't always prove true.

On the subject of saving money, the last few times I went to subway, I see they have 5 $10 & 1 $5 gift cards together for $50. Each time I think, if I can spare $50 today, I get $5 for free & will be more inclined to eat here instead of a burger joint or taco place. Haha

Sent from my Note 4 via Tapatalk

 

[mountainbikermark]

For the most part I subscribe to "trickle down technology" scenarios. Mountain bike stuff gets cheaper when newer comes out and last years bleeding edge is old hat, thus cheaper. Same with electronics but a little different. Last years model will not only be less expensive most times but also a lot of bugs the Jones's had to suffer through are gone. I have not followed that practice with the Note4 or Kindle Voyage I just ordered but the Voyage is replacing a 2+ year old Kindle that the battery is worn out and factory resets no longer cure the freezes. Amazon has a policy on it to pay over 5 months with no interest or extra fees, just the price of the unit spread out. Basically it's try before buy, just had to make the first payment instead of paying it full. Less coming out of the account initially and should I decide not to keep it, less missing from the account while the refund processes.

Support Our Troops !!!
<><
Beast Mode 4

 

[cr6]

I agree with Jonny. When it comes to "tech" products, you do "often" (not always) get what you pay for, so I try to go a little higher end whenever I can. I don't however think the most expensive product is always the best, but I'd much rather save up my money for an extra month or two and spend a little extra, then buy an inexpensive product and be unhappy with my purchase.
Plus as long as you're buying from a reputable source, you'll always have a small window of opportunity to return it if you're unhappy.
Like many of you, I usually like to wait on the 2nd generation of new tech as opposed to jumping right in....oftentimes the bugs have been worked out by then and you're getting a much more refined product.
Great discussion though! I always like hearing about how everyone else makes these types of decisions. [emoji106]

S5 tap'n

 

[94lt1]

With iem's I bought some cheaper sets.. They would short out quickly(every other month) .. I bought westones for 1300.. Custom molds.. They've lasted over3 years..

 

[Jonny Kansas]

With iem's I bought some cheaper sets.. They would short out quickly(every other month) .. I bought westones for 1300.. Custom molds.. They've lasted over3 years..

That's just way out of my budget for my use, but is a good example of getting what you pay for.

Sent from my Note 4 via Tapatalk

 

[94lt1]

That's just way out of my budget for my use, but is a good example of getting what you pay for.

Sent from my Note 4 via Tapatalk

I play gigs still.. So we use iem's instead of wedges.. So it's a write off and they get double use in the studio for laying down tracks and mixing.. The volume can be lower and I still hear everything really clearly.. So my ears don't get burnt in 2-3 hours.. I can usually go for 4 before my ears go flat.

 

[jstafford1]

I agree with the "you get what you pay for" mentality. But my thoughts were if you don't know what you're getting in the first place. Like I was hesitant to get a smart watch not due to price but not knowing if it'd be useful. Same with the keyboard case and earpiece. So I looked at clearance bins and kept my eye out for deals to get something on the cheap to see if I would even get any use out of it. All 3 so far have proven useful, and worth spending the extra to get something higher end when the checkbook allows.

Jeffrey asked about makes and models.
LG G watch
Keyboard case unknown...threw out box
Earpiece is an Emerson but don't remember the model.

 

[94lt1]

That's true man.. I would've never jumped on 1300$ iem's if not for knowing I needed them, and that they had a backing (warranty) to protect my investment..