Un-“Branded” Alternatives

Suppose you promenade into a small garment shop to snap-up some new trendy garbs, and a splendid $80 tee at once seizes your interest. You are tempted to buy it but then prompted to immediately alter the decision. What has actually impelled so? – The very thought of shopping from an ‘unbranded’ store at a high price. What if you stumble upon the same in a branded showroom where rates are as soaring as $100. What is likely to hit your mind then?- ‘A brand is worth its cost’.

For some items, the thought might be true as brands never compromise with their excellence and so, they can be deemed vindicated for charging more; but you mustn’t always be so certain that others can’t offer the same at reasonable (or relatively lower) prices. In fact many a times, unbranded things can have more shelf life than the branded ones. Though it is apparently a rocky task to overthrow the belief that non–branded stuff cannot bid good quality, nonetheless, the following 5 reasons may better explain why they can be reckoned as a better option.

1. Rock-bottom Rates

The brands over-price their articles as they tend to capitalise from ones obsession to buy exclusively from them. The idea is to add more to their profits and maximise the gains. It’s never a challenge to get the same stuff among non-branded kiosks or sites who propose comparatively fair rates. In their desire to flourish in the marketplace and acquire as much market share as possible, they tend to become more customer-oriented and amenable.

2. Variety

Even though brands deal in diverse merchandise, they fail to provide range (owing to their public image of rendering specialised products only); and may fail to come with things  that are more unique. For instance, Reebok deals entirely in casual, fitness and sports items and doesn’t seem to deviate from it because that’s what it’s popular for. It is sure of having no dearth of customers. On the contrary, other garment and accoutrement stores will try to cover all arenas to attract and serve each and every kind of buyer, and you are bound of finding variety.

3. Personal Care

As brands are confident of getting buyers, they are least concerned to give attention to a particular customer or personally considering the choice of each of them. The staff employed will just execute the tasks of managing the showroom, displaying the products and billing, thus playing a minimal role. But from private shop owners and their staff, you can expect warmth and personal attention to help you choose best for yourself.

4. Fashion Fickleness

The era we are living-in is itself dynamic which consequently influences our mindset. Many people easily get bored with the accessories and clothes they buy and then they urge to frequently swap with something new. This is possibly due to change in preferences along with fashion trends. When so is the case, it is indeed economical not to go for expensive brands and rather shift to a more affordable alternative. And also, if you understand the worth of every penny earned, the thought of casting away a pricey thing will sting your heart.

5. Haggling 

It is human frailty to wrangle for desired prices, and brands have preset market rates(unless they readily offer discounts). While in the private shops, one can expect cut down on prices when something seems to be overcharged. Bargaining is not by any means possible with the branded store.

So, the next time you find yourself in the dilemma of making a choice, contemplate on the above mentioned points and decide what’s best suited for you.

Here are a few sites/start-ups that offer much affordable alternatives to all your fashion desires.