Middle class people are often confused as to whether to buy a item from a reputed brand or from any outlet which deals in local stuff which look similar and has similar features. A person always wants to buy local stuff for saving money, but the fear of the item not lasting the distance always haunts the person.  Here are a few suggestions to distinguish which is worth the risk and which is not.

Television, Radio, DVD, VCD:- It is always safe and better to buy any electronic item from a reputed brand for examples Phillips, Videocon or for that matter any reputed company which has been a household name for many decades.  The price range of most electronic items starts from around Rs.2000.  These days local outlets items similar to the ones sold in branded outlets cost  about Rs.1300/- .  Many people buy from local outlets just to save that differential amount of Rs.700/-.  They do not realize that when  they can afford to buy for Rs.1300/-, they can as well spend another Rs.700/- so that you can get a item with a proper bill and guarantee and use it without fear.  The risk with non branded items is that you do not get a bill and most outlets do not replace it, for they refuse to accept that it is sold at their outlet. Here the advice would be either buy a branded item or if you want to save money do not buy it

CDs:- An original CD may cost you around Rs.150/- while a local one cost Rs.40/-.  A local one could ruin your CD player which costs a few thousands.  Therefore it is better to buy a original CD than go for a local one.

Clothes:- Any cloth of reasonably quality is good enough to last 5 to 7 years.  There is no need to buy cloth from a reputed supermarket thereby spending thousands of rupees.  Many people do know from where you have purchased unless you tell them on your own.  What is more important is buy clothes from any decent outlet and get it stitched from a good tailoring shop.  A well stitched cloth, looks much better than the costliest of all readymade clothes. You got dual benefit of a good finished product sand savings in money.

Shoes:- You will get shoes from Rs.700/- onwards from any Bata Showroom.  Some people may spend 2000 rupees for a shoe, but it will last for the same duration.  Shoes are subject to more wear and tear than anything else and therefore putting too much money on a shoe is not worth it.

Sometimes you save by buying branded items and sometimes you save by avoiding them.  The key is balancing it out.

Regards

Satish