"Brand Whore : Not a Brand Whore"

[TriggerReed357]

Brand Whore: Someone who buys and prominently displays name brand products (or products that feature expensive company logos) under the belief that such loyalty to a label or corporation is a cachet and brings prestige to their otherwise lack of taste, regardless of the actual quality or value of the products. I find myself being a Brand Whore lately. Who else suffers from this disease? I remember when Tasco made a good product but I was shunned at deer camp at a young age for not having a Leupold. I upgraded to a Leupold, but now I get shunned for not shooting a USO. I get the USO but now I get Shunned because everybody else is shooting Khales.......but then here comes ZeroCompromise .....like wtf....... When is being a Brand Whore just too much.

 

[AIAW]

I'd say I am more of "model whore" rather than "brand whore". There are specialty higher-end companies that make or have made shit product lines, and vice versa.

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

I always use what works best for me and believe that one size never fits all. Then again, there is also truth to the "buy once/cry once" mentality and "The Good Stuff" is usually pretty good. Problem with being a Fan Boy is that some of the really good stuff is overly priced because...well, because they know Fan Boyz gonna buy it.

Bought an Athlon scope after having tried a bunch of others and still can't see that I need to spend 2X - 4X what I paid to get a scope that suits me better. I use what works for me.

VooDoo

 

[Snipe260]

I still wear Izod shirts! Does that count?

 

[Tucker301]

The last one.

 

[Redmanss]

I've bought and sold a lot, have since settled on NF for my optical quality and manufacturing durability/accuracy needs, along with continued familiarity with their reticles, capped with a healthy second hand market supported by those who do chase the latest and greatest.

I've never missed a shot because my optics failed me, even when shooting with a fixed SWFA SS, only when I failed to properly apply all the fundamentals.

Now one of you fuckers need to come off a BEAST in Mil-R for $2k to fund your ZC purchase... Dammit.

 

[Tazman]

After all these years my wife put me on a gun budget so I had to buy a ffp Vortex PST 1st Gen for my 300WM 5r project. Had another NF picked out but the CFO denied! ?

I have to be honest though...it tracks perfect and the glass as pretty decent.

 

[Slash0311]

Im a brand whore but not necessarily the very high end brands. NF is on my Ruger and Leupold on most of my hunting rigs.

I was tempted to go with the "as long as it works" but the balance seemed better.

 

[Soulezoo]

I use Tasco.

 

[Soulezoo]

And NC Star....

 

[Nik H]

"I carefully and thoroughly research, and make informed decisions balancing performance and cost."

This one is close but cost is not much of a factor for me. It comes down to performance based on my use cases. If I think something will get used a lot, I buy the best I can rationalize. Opinions from people much better than I am are a major factor along with whatever research I do

 

[brianf]

im ocd about my gear no matter what im doing, tires for racing, optics, anything

if i dont "trust" my gear it gets in my head

so once i get a buy once/cry once brand that performs as expected i get sucked in

 

[Long Range 338]

I don't see an option for "I am a GEAR Whore"

 

[Nik H]

I don't see an option for "I am a GEAR Whore"

I am a bag whore....I just sold 3 rear bags and still can sell more...LOL

 

[soflastg]

no your a bag pimp

I am a bag whore....I just sold 3 rear bags and still can sell more...LOL

 

[Srikaleak]

I don't buy items to flex that I bought said brand. I definitely don't think I'm better than others for doing so either. But I do buy into brands. For example: all my rifles are JP and all my scopes are Nightforce and soon all my carry pistols will be Glocks. Once I find something that works for me I tend to stick with it.
But yea, this probably makes me a brand whore.

 

[THEIS]

I'd say I am more of "model whore" rather than "brand whore". There are specialty higher-end companies that make or have made shit product lines, and vice versa.

Hi,

I prefer the Ukrainian models....

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[supercorndogs]

I am a scope whore.

 

[shoot4fun]

I still wear Izod shirts! Does that count?

It does if you buy them at the local thrift store.

 

[atomic41]

I like to find the point of diminishing returns and stay right there. It's a sweet spot and when you go over, you are paying for features that don't make you better. Example, I like SWFA scopes and the Bravo chassis.

 

[Basher]

I’m a glass whore. Not sure why, just like to experience different optics. I’ve calmed down a good bit, but I’m jonesing for a ZCO. I’d have to sell several optics that work well and that I’ve always wanted to make that happen, so I’ll have to exercise some restraint for awhile, but someday...

I, like many others, find what works for me, and run with it. I’ve run SWFA SS before and would have no problem doing so again if needed. At the same time, I greatly enjoy the USO, Vortex, and S&B optics I currently use, though I didn’t but them to impress anyone other than myself.

So many toys, so little time/money...

 

[TheGerman]

Go be poor somewhere else.

(I have no idea whats going on here)

 

[cornhusker86]

Simmons Whitetail Classic;

 

[Bender]

Where is the “I’m just a Whore” option?

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Used to buy because my life depended on it.

Now, used to the best.

Even the Uzi in the trunk of my Bentley is of finest Israeli workmanship....

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Supersubes]

Where’s the “I buy whatever they use in PRS/NRL” option?

 

[Dewey7271]

Where’s the “I buy whatever they use in PRS/NRL” option?

Now that’s funny.

 

[kthomas]

I just prefer having high quality shit that works. I want 100% confidence in my gear, not that I rely on it for my life, but reliability makes competitions and the valuable time I spend shooting more worthwhile and less frustrating.

This has led me to buy gear such as KAC, Dan Wesson, Arc'teryx, HK, TacOps, etc..

I may not have a lot of guns (small collection), but it cost a small fortune and if I were to do it all over again I would. Just enough to cover my bases. My shit works and I never have to replace it. I run stuff until it dies, so in the long run buying good quality stuff has been a pretty good value proposition.

I don't buy much stuff, but when I do, I like quality.

 

[AIAW]

Where’s the “I buy whatever they use in PRS/NRL” option?

So true...

 

[kthomas]

Where’s the “I buy whatever they use in PRS/NRL” option?

Haha - I always find it funny when people don't think sponsorships in PRS/NRL have an effect on consumer purchasing trends.

If they don't, then why the hell would these companies even bother sponsoring shooters?

The fan boi'ism of some brands is absolutely silly. And the internet is great for spreading baseless brand fan boi'ing group think rhetoric. Some of the gun and precision rifle FB groups are absolutely retarded. It literally drove me off FB, not even our small community of precision rifle shooters were free from FB stupidity.

 

[bigdaddydmd]

I fall into the carefully and thouroughly research group and am always trying to balance budget and features. But I look for mid tier level stuff (preferably used) as it seems to hit the sweet spot of features, price and skill level. Sure, I'd love a custom action with tier 1 glass, but my skill level doesn't justify it and my budget prohibits it. I am going to struggle with wind with a Khales and custom action in a AI as much as I will struggle with the wind with a Viper PSR Gen 2, stock R700 and a Magpul Hunter stock.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

When I'm in the market to purchase something, I do buy the best that I can afford. Thing is though, what constitutes "the best" is mostly due to a fair number of the membership here. I'm not a High-Altitude Train Engineer, nor am I an Underwater Alps Chalet Assaulter. But there's many here who put on a lot of different miles with a lot of different gear. If it works for them, in applicable situations, then it will work for me in the poor facsimile of a lifestyle.

I'm not trying to imitate anyone here. But what I am doing, is the best that I damn-well can. And I know if the equipment is good enough for others under stress/panic(?)/pressure/crisis then whatever I am doing the end results are ALL ON ME. I can't blame my gear at all.

Never once have I said that "I'll be a better shot when...." All I know is if I don't make a shot I'm going for, then I need more practice. Mostly it's at reading wind and judging distance. Who doesn't need practice with that?

I've got rifles that shoot, glass that see's, rounds that fire (and track), knives that cut, other knives that skin, tools that wrench, machines that cut/make chips, and welders that spark. Now are the machines all Haas, and the tooling all Kennametal and the welders all Lincoln?

NO.

One day when I'm rich and famous, AND see the need to change over to something else, then I will. In the meantime, I get by with a little help....

Made the mistake of purchasing a certain 'atmosphere detail measuring device' and based that on a number of others here who said in one manner or another/one thread or another that "xxx" is the ONE to have.

I learned the hard way, after spending around 400 bucks on it, that it was designed to eat itself to death. But if I want to trade it in and spend another 300+ dollars, I can get the next model up. Lesson to be learned here, is don't lend things out to trusted loved-ones. On that particular tangent, I am NOT a fanboy of the 'trend'.... marketing idiots if you ask me. But that's another story, for another thread. And that has happened too.

 

[DaleGribble82]

Brand Whore: Someone who buys and prominently displays name brand products (or products that feature expensive company logos) under the belief that such loyalty to a label or corporation is a cachet and brings prestige to their otherwise lack of taste, regardless of the actual quality or value of the products. I find myself being a Brand Whore lately. Who else suffers from this disease? I remember when Tasco made a good product but I was shunned at deer camp at a young age for not having a Leupold. I upgraded to a Leupold, but now I get shunned for not shooting a USO. I get the USO but now I get Shunned because everybody else is shooting Khales.......but then here comes ZeroCompromise .....like wtf....... When is being a Brand Whore just too much.

Damn I’m only the second “Whore” in general.

 

[Tazman]

I actually still have a 8-40x50 Tasco World Class scope with the 1/8 inch target dot in the center. I keep it around for posterity!!

 

[pmclaine]

First look for American made.

Than determine if it has the features I want and is it a quality product.

Sometimes I buy shit I didnt know I wanted until I realized it is really finely made and I just want to touch and fondle it.

More and more often this is pre NAFTA made in USA stuff.

If you were not wiping your own ass pre 1995 you have no idea what we have lost as far as manufactured goods go - shoes, clothing, appliances, stuff in general.

When it comes to this sport though there is no denying some countries have a longer history making some products and Ill bend my buy America rule to acquire the expertise of history.

The American worker doesnt get a free pass just because he is my neighbor....the product has to perform.

Any company I buy from should EARN my money.

 

[pmclaine]

Where’s the “I buy whatever they use in PRS/NRL” option?

Even better.....

"I buy mil spec issue gear because if the mil has it, its absolutely the best"

End that statement with "Fuckface" for emphasis.

 

[Bradu]

I usually try to buy the best available because the few times I try to save money and buy the cheaper one, it breaks or don't work like it's supposed to. I hate buying shit twice only to end up buying what I wanted to in the first place.

 

[pmclaine]

What determines it for me is desire.

If I lock on to an item and I feel desire physically...when I think about the item I salivate, my stomach gets knotted, my thoughts are consumed by it.....than I know Im screwed.

There is no "settling" on something else if cost or inventory make it unavailable.

Usually the item is just beyond what I should spend or what I intended to spend in cost. but its a realistic goal if I save/sacrifice.

Im not a tard it has to be something I can reasonably attain. A set of Vectronix mil spec range findng binos is desireable but at $10K more than something adequate for me its not realistic and it doesnt cause me to have the physical symptoms of desire.

When I was buying my reloading press the difference in cost between a Dillon 650 and the S1050 though was something I could see as manageable.

I knew that if I had "settled" for the 650 my brain would be bothered and though perfectly adequate it would never satisfy me. I would always think "What if....?" and I would never love "the settle".

Not getting what i "desired" would cause real physical/emotional distress of a negative kind.

In the end you end up losing money selling "the settle" and buying "the desire".

Even if you later find out "the desire" wasnt all you hoped it could be you will be physically and mentally healthier finding that out on your own.

You will avoid regret.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

Leupold M3A 10x40
Leupold 6.5-20x FFP
(2) Burris XTR2 3-15x
SWFA 3-15x

Most of my shit wears Krylon. Keep buying the newest and hottest shit PLEASE! It just drives down the price of the used stuff that has already proven itself so that I can afford it.

 

[sabrecross]

I like to buy cheap shit and learn the hard way that I should have paid a little more to get the good shit. I usually learn my lesson each time. ?

 

[camotoe]

I like bang for buck.

 

[Loonhunter]

It does if you buy them at the local thrift store.

Where else can you buy them? Aren’t they made by Goodwill?

 

[Basher]

I like to buy cheap shit and learn the hard way that I should have paid a little more to get the good shit. I usually learn my lesson each time. ?

LOL.

See, I learned my lesson at the age of 18. The AWB had “sunset” and I’d built my first AR immediately. Then I went to a gunshow to acquire a red dot for it. However, both EOTech and Aimpoint were too rich for me, so I bought a knockoff. That was a $250 mistake that couldn’t even handle the recoil of my AR! Took it back to the next gunshow and the thieves who sold it to me had a no refund policy. They’d exchange it, but no refunds. I’m sure I could have made them refund me for their cheap Chinese shit, but at the time I didn’t know any better. So I spent several hours trolling their tables to find $250 worth of other useless shit to exchange for it.

And that was the last time I ever did that. I’ve purchased budget stuff since, but ONLY if it has an extensive history of being a quality product that simply has a great cost to quality ratio (such as SWFA). But most often I find something well worth having that will likely outlast myself and save for it or sacrifice elsewhere to acquire it. I HATED the feeling of being ripped off and how frustrating it was having to pick out utter rubbish a second time when I exchanged that red dot!

For what it’s worth, I still cringe and get grumpy whenever I see the name GunTec...

 

[Milo 2.5]

I still wear Izod shirts! Does that count?

I'm hoping you cover those with a members only jacket on cooler days.

 

[Loonhunter]

I look for ‘SOG’ or ‘SEAL’ or ‘SWAT’ in the name. Guaranteed quality and battle tested.
Also, anything with ‘Creedmoor’.

 

[300 grainpill]

Guess my vote was a lie cause I found a almost 40% off ( “slight blemish but full warranty”) deal about midnight on a new toy I’ve been eyeing for a while .... hadn’t saved a penny but went loud with the Visa card ... hope I don’t live to regret it

 

[Bradu]

What determines it for me is desire.

If I lock on to an item and I feel desire physically...when I think about the item I salivate, my stomach gets knotted, my thoughts are consumed by it.....than I know Im screwed.

There is no "settling" on something else if cost or inventory make it unavailable.

Usually the item is just beyond what I should spend or what I intended to spend in cost. but its a realistic goal if I save/sacrifice.

Im not a tard it has to be something I can reasonably attain. A set of Vectronix mil spec range findng binos is desireable but at $10K more than something adequate for me its not realistic and it doesnt cause me to have the physical symptoms of desire.

When I was buying my reloading press the difference in cost between a Dillon 650 and the S1050 though was something I could see as manageable.

I knew that if I had "settled" for the 650 my brain would be bothered and though perfectly adequate it would never satisfy me. I would always think "What if....?" and I would never love "the settle".

Not getting what i "desired" would cause real physical/emotional distress of a negative kind.

In the end you end up losing money selling "the settle" and buying "the desire".

Even if you later find out "the desire" wasnt all you hoped it could be you will be physically and mentally healthier finding that out on your own.

You will avoid regret.

I can relate to this. I wanted an axmc but built a switch barrel instead, wasn't happy with it so I got a desert tech. I really like it but guess what...I still want an Axmc?‍