Why spend more on a T-shirt?
We are all consumers of different products, from the simplest basic item such as tomatoes to something as complex as a house. But what makes you choose to buy tomatoes at Kshs.30 for 3 pieces from your mama mboga around the corner, or Kshs.80 a kilo from the grocery shops at the mall when you can get them at Kshs.20 a ‘gorogoro’ from Wakulima market?
Why spend 12 million on a house yet there are other cheaper options going from as little as 3 million? Afterall, you would still have a roof over your head. Have you been to town lately? There are so many shoe vendors, and you can grab yourself a pair for 400bob. On the other side of town, you will find a seemingly similar shoe going at Kshs 4,000. Why would anyone want to spend more??
A T-shirt is not just a T-shirt.
You probably have an answer to the above questions. But when it comes to t-shirts and other corporate garments we are often tempted to think inside the box. And one of the most misunderstood pieces of cloth is the t-shirt, especially the locally printed one.
Walk into many stores downtown and you will find t-shirts going for as little as Ksh300, and these have their place. Yet in other stores, similar garments sell as high as Kshs.6,000.
The fact is that a t-shirt is not just a t-shirt. They come in various qualities and their value is determined by many factors such as quality of fabric, flattering fit, expert construction, and quality of the print.
It is advisable not to buy garments thinking of the cost; first, determine the value it will give you in the long run.
CASE FOR FRUGALITY?
LET’S FACE IT; it can seem expensive to pay for a good quality custom printed shirt. For a number of organizations, the most common initial reaction is to spend as little as possible. After all, it’s hard to go wrong with frugality.
However, it’s even more expensive to pay for shirts that no one is going to wear (unless they are paid to). These are the shirts that some companies hand out for free, and are typically boxy, loose-fitting, uncomfortable and unstylish The end product is something that will be worn once, then turned into a duster, used to sleep in or for performing domestic work.
Others are never worn at all but left in the boot of the car and given out to the villagers during Christmas. While this is noble, unless the purpose was to reach the villager, you may have just missed your mark.
Quality Clothing Creates A Good Impression
When you want your customers to choose to wear your garments, or staff to spend your entire work week wearing the same uniform, it makes more financial sense to invest in high-quality garments that are both durable and timelessly stylish.
The payoff of spending a few extra shillings on your apparel is an increase in your personal comfort and confidence, as well as net savings in both time and money. It also projects to the world an image of enhanced professionalism and self- confidence. Far from wasteful, an investment in what you wear to work goes a long way in maximizing your personal identity and comfort.
Do the Math Before You Buy
So when it comes to branded shirts for your staff or customers, trying to save money by buying cheap garments will ultimately cost you more. Although it seems counterintuitive, making the choice to spend more on higher-priced clothing actually ends up saving you more money than if you were to purchase a cheap, low-quality garment.
