Another quote not found in Roget

“The cheapest boots are the most expensive ones you will ever buy.”

My father-in-law, James T. Beavers, Sr., spoke that line to me nearly 30 years ago, and I never forgot it.  In no small way it helped shape many decisions over those years.  I had been pretty poor growing up, so I always thought purchases should be for the cheapest possible alternative.  My wife and I had moved to a small farm in southern middle Tennessee, and I needed a pair of work boots.  I shared several choices with James, suggesting I would probably get the $30 boots at some box store.  He explained I would be replacing those boots often because you really do get what you pay for.  I remember the reevaluation process I went through considering this new, but certainly logical alternative.  I ended up ordering a pair of boots from a store I had just barely heard of named L. L. Bean.  They cost $100, and I couldn’t believe I spent that much on anything (my first car cost $300).  Well, you can probably guess that they lasted me forever.  I had them resoled after 10 years and wore them until the size and shape of my feet changed to keep up with my stomach. 

There are further examples of this philosophy to be shared in later posts.  I think that store has done pretty well!