What’s Trending: Going for the brand

Sat, September 08, 2012 - 10:57 AM

The Nation’sAssociate Editor Sherie Holder-Olutayo takes a look at what’s trending today in Barbados.

Today in the Saturday Sun we learn that parents are shelling out $350 for brand-name backpacks and up to $250 for shoes. What has our online readers buzzing is that both items seem to be flying off the shelves in a time when most people are complaining about money and the recession. Here are some comments from our online readers.

Bim Bum: You know why wunnuh stan' poor? Beccause wunnuh make stupid economic decisions like wasting big money on nonsense like a trendy book bag for your children! "The poor will always be with us" — mainly due to sheer stupidity. But on the other hand…spend the money, man! Our economy needs you to bump it up.

Tennyson Joseph: Dodds the final result. How does a $350 school bag assist in any child's educational development? Then we hear complaints of high utilities and food.

Andre Meredith: ‎$350 for a School Bag? Wow so much for poor people in Barbados.

Jenelle Sergeant Brathwaite: You go to school to learn not for a fashion show. Blame the parents they would rather their children look good then to have food and set a great example.

Alejaundro Hykoyami Tezu: We are sending the wrong message to children. I can see a different generation of parents from the previous ones. And den de parents got de nerve to complain bout bus fare and bills, man hush yah mouth...

Chris Kinkaid: Oh well $350 is a stretch, however the more costly items usually last longer. I used to get shoes and bags almost every term, now my little brother has a bag that's been around three years now and still looks brand new. Hush Puppies cost more but last more than two years while other shoes don't last a term. Might as well save and budget for quality products than go with the cheapest then gotta buy a replacement when the money isn't there or you don't have the time to go get it.

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Posted by Grey Stoute 8 months, 1 week ago: Chris Kinkaid, that's a very good point. The cheaper bags probably look like they will hardly last very long. It may very well be a sign of trying to be money smart rather than blowing money. It might also show the lack of choice in backpack selection - from the article it didn't sound like there was a mid-range set of backpacks. Good quality backpacks are just kind of pricey anywhere though. In the States and Canada you aren't really going to find a solid backpack for less than $40 or $50 USD even on sale (the proper all-ages sized bags not the ones for 4 year olds). They are an investment that should last for years, more like a mini-suitcase/laptop case than a satchel for a few notebooks.