I think that some of you are really getting my point, and please don't think that I'm slamming anyone for buying all of the gear that thier particular budget will allow. But do you really think that Wolfskin is worth $300 a suit and the other day in some catalogue I saw arrows for $350 per dozen. Now I'm not knocking these products or the people who buy them I just can't beleive that people pay thier "hard" earned money on stuff that they know they for a lot less and do just as good of a job.

A Timex will keep just as good time as a Rolex.

Why do people own a Rolex? Because they CAN. It's called being able to afford something you want......."pride of ownership".......and not having to justify it to anyone but yourself and your family.

I liked txjourneyman's answer, best.

I started to write that that's a pretty subjective thought... In a few cases, yes. My experiences over the years -- no matter what industry it is -- is that often times lesser-priced items don't do just as good a job. Adquate? Certainly. Just as good? Nope.

Will a shirt from JC Penney or Sears do the job for me? Sure it will. Will it last as long as those I buy from Macy's or Brooks Brothers? No way. It can't handle the dry cleaning andthe starching; it'll probably wear out three times as fast, the fit will never be close to what I can buy elsewhere and it'll fade probably five times faster than a quality shirt.

To me, archery is no different. Can I buy camo at Wal-Mart? Again, yep. I don't like the fabrics, much less the camo patterns. Take a quality suit from www.graywolfwoolens.com -- those suits will last me a lifetime, literally. Then don't fade andthey don't shrink. They're darn near waterproof, are very wind resistant and burr resistant as well.

I'm one of those who has slowly learned to accept -- in most cases -- the old adage that "you get what you pay for."

I think Scot has it right. The key factors here seem to be twofold:Waste and Opportunity Cost.

I guess it's not "opportunity cost" in the purest sense, but it's still a forgone opportunity to spend money elsewhere sensibly. To put it frankly, I know guys who live in run-down single-wide trailers, but drive $35,000 pickup trucks, own $5000 ATV's, have $1100 bows, and their kids look like refugees - wearing 3rd generation hand-me-down Walmart clothes with Kool Aid stains on their bellies.

Call me snotty, call me what you want, but that bothers me. Kids should be priority one. Instead of blowing $40-50,000 on a vault of guns, bows, ammo, camo, pickups and quads, how about buying a modest used pickup truck, keeping only a skeleton crew in the gun cupboard, using an older (but still reliable bow)? Use the extra $30,000 on building a home for your family. Maybe buy the kids some new clothes. Teach them the value of a dollar. I just have a hard time swallowing it when I see guys neglecting their own children to fund their lust for hunting, pickup trucks, entertainment, ATV's, etc...

Waste: There is a degree of waste involved if you're scrapping one 3-pin sight (that you bought last year) - and replacing it with a new 3-pin sight (that you bought this year). Again, if you can afford it, and your primary responsiblities are met, then that's fine. Stupid, but fine.

Same goes with bows. Not much point in peeing away $700 to buy an 07 one-cam that will shoot 287, when you have an 06 one cam that already shoots 287.
__________________________________________________ _________

There are real situations when you can use an upgrade, but those "upgrades" should be made with your priorities in mind. It just leaves a really bad taste in my mouth when I see people blowing money to fund their own vices (in this case, the vice is bowhunting) at the expense of their family (kids in particular).

Well I guess being a state government worker has clouded my eyes but I don't see me ever buying a $300 suit just to hunt in. Now looking at my timex I see that it's time for lunch.

You had me until "Stupid", Fran. I dont get that.

I know what gutshot and Quick is getting at. I too have to shake my head at some of the things I see and hear also.

What ever happened to the old saying...."if it ain't broke......don't fix it!"?

The Timex and Rolex comparison has some validity, but I think that to some degree, people buy Rolex's not because they can, but moreso because they want everyone to know that they can afford a Rolex. There is degree of arrogance/selfishness in that.

Why does this matter to anyone??? If Bob's driving a new Suburban every year.....WHY does that matter to anyone but Bob? If he wears a Rolex....because they can afford it.....and because he enjoys the pride of ownership.....who are we to interject why he bought ....and why do we care??????

Isuppose there's a degree of arrogance and selfishness in buying anything new, then...that you could have bought used.......or cheaper.

I never said it mattered. I was just pointing out my opinion of "Bob's" reason for buying it as you did. I don't really think it's only because he can. I think it's a status symbol and a way to let others know that he is doing well wether that be true or false and I think that is arrogant

Pride is a sin ya' know.

Hey pride boy did you buy a GPS yet I