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A review by kaylielongley
Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture by Ellen Ruppel Shell
5.0
As a marketer, consumer, and citizen of the Western world, Cheap challenged me to think critically about the cost of discount prices in the modern age of globalization. Ruppel Shell's research combines both personal and practical evidence through an examination of a range of topics, including balancing value and cost, craftsmanship, and the reign of Wal-Mart and IKEA, all under the lens of behavioral economics. America has increasingly become a discount culture, characterized by too low prices, an overall ignorant populace, and a dramatically cutthroat competition between buyers and sellers. Unfortunately, most of this competition is based on price alone, not craft, skill, or innovation.
As a country, the United States needs to step up. Globalism serves the consumer side of us, but not necessarily the customer. I prefer Dollar Store candies and candles to brand names. But the country and its constituents, myself included, lose as a result. By constantly discounting items, downsizing internally, and outsourcing services, the international market is too often disregarded. Countries like India and China are becoming increasingly more innovative, and with their advancements in technologies, millions are receiving higher, livable wages, which will ultimately influence the cost of wages, and the value of human rights, across the world. Globalism reminds us that the needs and wants of an individual reflect the entire society, so citizens of the world must stop focusing on cheap goods, and worse, cheap labor.
Ruppel Shell's book also reminded me how lucky I am to live in a democratic, capitalist culture, with the freedom to choose between luxury and affordable goods and services. While there is too often no middle ground between these options, cheap goods trump my spending habits. My frugal decisions are regulated by my own interest and understanding, though most businesses prefer less concerned customers. Ultimately, cheap undermines and devalues products, services, and people. It suggests discounted rates are the original intent, and cheap rarely considers social or civic responsibility. Cheap has inspired me to move forward, as an advocate for global change.
As a country, the United States needs to step up. Globalism serves the consumer side of us, but not necessarily the customer. I prefer Dollar Store candies and candles to brand names. But the country and its constituents, myself included, lose as a result. By constantly discounting items, downsizing internally, and outsourcing services, the international market is too often disregarded. Countries like India and China are becoming increasingly more innovative, and with their advancements in technologies, millions are receiving higher, livable wages, which will ultimately influence the cost of wages, and the value of human rights, across the world. Globalism reminds us that the needs and wants of an individual reflect the entire society, so citizens of the world must stop focusing on cheap goods, and worse, cheap labor.
Ruppel Shell's book also reminded me how lucky I am to live in a democratic, capitalist culture, with the freedom to choose between luxury and affordable goods and services. While there is too often no middle ground between these options, cheap goods trump my spending habits. My frugal decisions are regulated by my own interest and understanding, though most businesses prefer less concerned customers. Ultimately, cheap undermines and devalues products, services, and people. It suggests discounted rates are the original intent, and cheap rarely considers social or civic responsibility. Cheap has inspired me to move forward, as an advocate for global change.