Difference between expensive and value for money

Is Rolls Royce an expensive car? If it is an expensive car, relative to what? What makes it expensive? At the same time, we can also ask what makes it value for money?

The answer depends on the need of the person intending to purchase it. Take for example a successful entrepreneur. Will owning and moving around in a Rolls Royce add value to that person’s reputation and business? Will potential investors think highly of that person and willing to invest in that person’s businesses? If owning a Rolls Royce does elevates a person’s status and beneficial for business expansion then owning a Rolls Royce in this case is value for money. It is neither cheap nor expensive.

Now don’t go into the tiny details of running a business and about how a potential investor will look beyond a car before making an investment decision. It is merely a point to illustrate how some people will define the meaning of cheap and expensive differently. But come to think of it, if people want to ‘hentam’ me for that also is a good thing. Those comments will increase the engagements for this post thus it will appear on more walls! So on second thoughts, please go ahead and ‘hentam kaw kaw’.

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A few weeks back my wife approached an acquaintance who happen to suffer from eczema. She introduce an essential oil blend formulated specially for eczema and other skin diseases. The price is RM47 including postage. 

Her acquaintance finds that expensive, by RM13.50, compared to the cream she is presently using. Fair enough if comparing prices alone. Eczema cream contains steroid, however. There are several possible side effects for prolonged use of steroid. Thinning of the skin, thickening of the skin, stretch marks and skin darkening. 

RM13.50 savings per purchase in exchange for those side effects? Looking at this, is the EO blend which is 100% natural with no side effects still considered expensive or value for money?

Wing