The value of quality

After many years of saying it, the time in my life has arrived where I am now turning into my Dad! Not a bad thing as he was a lovely man, but there are sides to a parent that makes you say "I shall never be like my Dad". To my kids I am now a grumpy old man that can moan about a moan and spend too much time in front of the 50" TV screen every night complaining about programmes that are similar to what I used to watch back in the 'good old days'.

I suppose it started about 8 years ago when me and my now wife Jane arranged a special holiday to the Caribbean. We needed (well, wanted) new clothes and on Jane's suggestion I decided to buy some designer tops and footwear. At the time of purchase I was happy on the outside but hurting on the inside. Thoughts going around my head like "how much for a t-shirt, I can buy three for that!"

For our wedding in 2007 I invested in some, at the time, expensive shoes for the comfort of having to wear them all day and night, and those same thoughts were coming into my head.

Then, on 14th November 2009 an event happened in our lives that changed my whole perspective on the value of quality.

14th November was a Saturday, me and Jane had been to the shops and on the way back we suffered a side impact accident that was proceeded by the car taking out a road sign head on, a power box for operating the traffic lights leaving exposed cables under the car and then finally coming to rest through a wall. All the airbags deployed (not a pleasant experience in itself) and although not life threatening, Jane suffered injuries that resulted in surgery. Me, despite the car being hit my side I only suffered whiplash and minor damage to my coat.

First impressions of the car doesn't look too bad. However, to put into context, the impact was so hard the other car that hit me had it's front end ripped off with it's engine left on the road! 

So, you ask, where is this taking us? The moral of the story is the value of quality. The T-shirts I purchased for the holiday I still have, my shoes for the wedding were the most comfortable I have ever owned and still wear them today. And the fact that I chose a BMW over a cheaper brand as a company car means I am here today to write this blog.

The same applies today to the brands and products I represent. My answer now to anyone who says it is too expensive is, "compared to what?" If you are comparing like for like then it is a fair comment. If it only looks and feels similar to a cheaper brand then no, it isn't expensive! Appreciate the quality, how it can be used and who by before asking the price, then decide if it is too expensive.

The cost of my BMW £30,000, the cost of my life, priceless.

John Northwood