If you’re buying an important product, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality in the name of getting a bargain. Even so, you also don’t want to squander an unnecessary amount of cash, even on an important purchase. 

If you’re planning on buying a quality product, here are a few tips to help you walk away with the highest quality product at the best possible price.

1. Research, Research, Research

The ability to research a product and its manufacturer and market prices go hand in hand with getting the best purchase price. If you lack information, you cannot make a sound decision. Here are a few specific areas that you should focus on before buying something: 

• Learning about the product: Before you consider details like pricing and shipping, you want to make sure you understand the product itself. If you don’t know what you’re buying, it’s difficult to understand the difference in quality between one model and the next.
• Understanding terminology: It’s important to learn any relevant words related to the product. For instance, a word like organic does not mean a piece of food is fresh.
• Compare prices: Once you’re comfortable with the product and its terminology, it’s time to look at different purchasing options. As you gather information, consider wholesalers, retailers, and online versus in-person sales channels. 

The process of buying a paddle board provides a good example of all these research activities in action. If you’re looking up paddle board prices, you don’t want to settle for comparing a couple of third-party retailers on Amazon. Take the time to dig deeper. 

Learn what makes a quality board different from an inferior model. Make sure you’re comfortable with paddle-board-specific terms like SUP (stand up paddleboarding). When you go to make your purchase, look up prices at traditional surf shops, online sellers, and big box retailers.

 Always go into your buying decisions well-informed. By doing so, you put yourself in the best position to make a confident decision that balances quality with affordability.

2. Give Yourself Plenty of Time

When it comes to high-quality purchases, you should always give yourself plenty of time to make a decision. This is one of the most important rules to follow. Without proper time, it’s difficult to know if you’re getting the best price. You want to give yourself plenty of time to gather information, compare prices, and take the time to think things through before making a decision. 

Consider, for example, the process of choosing between a new or used car. You don’t want to put yourself in a scenario where you have to select your new vehicle within a single hour-long visit to one dealership. This amps up the pressure and gives you very little time to make an informed decision. 

Always give yourself a generous schedule when making a quality purchase. Whenever possible, also provide a fallback option to delay your decision if you find you need more time to think or conduct further research.

3. Set SMART Purchasing Goals

The concept of SMART goals consists of setting objectives that are:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant
• Time-based.

While common in business, SMART goals can also help you get the best price when buying a quality product. An attainable SMART homebuyer goal might include trying to save money by purchasing a multi-generational house with your parents. Another SMART goal could be waiting until Black Friday to buy a new computer at a timely discount.

4. Get Up Close and Personal

The e-commerce marketplace has lured many shoppers into a sense of virtual contentment. If something looks good in an Amazon shopping cart, it’s easy to assume that it must be fine. 

If you’re trying to purchase quality products at affordable prices, though, it’s important to put in a little extra legwork. Investing in a good grill for your patio isn’t an activity that should take place online. Instead, visit your local home improvement store to see your options in person. If you’re trying to shop for organic food, don’t use Instacart or Walmart pick-up where others will choose your produce for you. 

As a general rule, whenever possible, do your best to get in physical contact with the quality products that you want to buy. This ensures that you’re getting the best quality for your money. It can also help you avoid spending too much money on a low-quality product that looked deceptively attractive from its online description.

5. Shop Second Hand

Often quality items stand the test of time well. This often means you can get a quality product second hand at a fraction of the original price. 

Take a Stihl chainsaw as a perfect example. Stihl chainsaws are prohibitively expensive when purchased new. However, they tend to last for decades, especially when cared for. 

If you’re considering getting a quality chainsaw but you don’t have a thousand dollars to spend on a new model, consider shopping for a used one. Make sure to conduct your research beforehand so that you can gauge if a used saw is still in good working condition. 

Cost should never be completely overlooked in the name of quality. Even when you’re making a major purchase it’s important to look for the best price available. So do your research, give yourself time, set SMART goals, check out the product in person, and consider your second-hand options. By going into your purchase with both quality and cost in mind, you’ll end up making better decisions every time you pull out your wallet.