High quality or cheap

We still use our Aussie wool blankets that we got as a wedding gift in July 1970. (see I remember)

Like I have said many times on this site, and I am not the only one, "You get what you pay for".Winches are a good example. As with the Chinese blanket they will work at the start but put under the test of time and Mother Nature, I hope they still work when you need them out on the Canning in 30 years time.

Yes its sometimes hard and frustrating having to wait until you can afford quality. Damned hard on one income also. But looking back I believe its worth it. Even Dads old tools, which some would have been bought back between the wars, are in good nick.

My vote is for "high quality" especially for important and long lasting items.

Phil

No internet when we received the blankets. And Myer and the like in those days did not "rip the customers off". Its only in recent years that we have seen the old "fair go" attitude disappear and the "get what the market can support" rip offs appearing.

Even on the internet its difficult because you cannot actually see the real item. Just a photo and their words. You cannot touch it and "feel" the quality.

But thats the way things are. Kind of like a lottery, hey!!!

Phil

ben_gv3

I'm a bloke, not a woman and hate shopping. The simple fact is I couldn’t find a real woollen blanket any where apart from Myers.

Sure they maybe a rip off, but all the others have to offer are synthetics blankets that don’t work in the Victorian High Country during winter. I'll take wool anytime.

As for buying online, it'll be a dark day in hell before I purchase something sight unseen.

Cheers

"Ripped off" is a word people use when they don't understand why some thing is more expensive then a similar product and they think because something looks and feels the same it must be the same.

Being "Ripped off" is when one place sells brand X item for $500 and two other places sell the same brand X for $400.

I think it depends on what you're buying. Myers do and can have some really good sales, so they can be cheaper than your Harvey Norman for example in electronic goods. I brought a set of knives off them once (yeah those Mundial ones that are always on sale as a set lol) Myers was no dearer than any other store (like King of Knives or whoever stocks the same thing).

Shopping around weather it's on line or not is always a good thing in my opinion. I like to at least research my purchases on line if possible so that like mentioned above I don't find myself paying $500 at one store when a lot of others are selling the same thing for half that, even if they are interstate! But of course it depends on what you're buying and from what kind of stores, I certainly don't tend to buy stuff through ebay for example, you can just about guarantee most things are knock offs, although I believe some genuine stores do use ebay to sell stuff or just for extra exposure, but like you say it's too much of a lottery with so many fakes coming out of China.

At least you can view a lot of the store sales catalogues on line these days, very handy if like me you live in the country, saves and hour trip just to check out prices!

Hi case h,

When was the last time you looked at the price that NZ wool is getting on the open market and compared it to Australian Wool. Currently NZ wool is getting approx $US2.00 per Kg while Australian Wool is averaging $US7.00. 3 and a half times as much.

Perhaps let your NZ sheep graze and relax more rather that chase them around the paddock :)

Rgds,

Snoopy2

I’d certainly go with the doona. I have a very expensive down bag from Europe which was used for climbing, but it’s very restrictive for general camping.

However I think you’re going to find it’s very difficult in Australia to find a genuine doona under a $1,000 that is above 80% pure down. Most of the stuff I've looked at is feather. Expect to pay a large price for the real thing.

Cheers

You know I haven't even thought about that yet, I do realize that your normal doonas only have a miniscule percentage of down and are mostly feathers like you say, but any consideration beyond that fact never even crossed my mind!

I was thinking the down / feather option would be primarily if bulk is an issue, and a nicety because I once had a really nice warm down sleeping bag.
Realistically though, since you've brought up cost I think we would probably be inclined to look at synthetic, it's what we use at home at the moment, I figured I would look into wool doonas as well (assuming there is such a thing) because I imagine it would be better in general.
I don't think there is any way I'd be able to convince Hubby to spend $1000 on a doona though, however he would actually be willing to spend $1000 on an Australian made touring tent! But he did bulk at the cost of Thermarest mattresses so yeah what can I say. I guess one has to be realistic about how often and where we actually go compared to how often and where we would like to go! Lol It's nice to have the best but it's not always necessary. As long as our purchase is an informed one and right for us I think that's all that matters.

And getting back on topic I think it's the same with the woolen blanket you brought, in the end you're the one who has to be satisfied that it was money well spent. I think that's what half the research is about when buying anything, that you're getting something that is suitable for you, that you're getting the best quality you're happy with and that to you it's worth what you're paying for it. So you know what $250 for a single wool blanket might be ridiculous to some but then again so would spending around $100 on a LED torch when you can get one for $20. For some peoples requirements the cheap stuff is more than up to the job I guess, some can't afford the good stuff and well others don't know any better because they've never brought the good stuff through choice or otherwise. And you probably have those who will pay any price just because they can.