quality

When buying anything, it's better to spend a little bit more for quality. However, being the cheapskate that I am, I still manage to find QUALITY for cheap. Even if I'm shopping at a garage sale or thrift store, I'll check labels. The picture of the toaster represents the ultimate quality toaster, the Sunbeam with "radiant control". These toasters lower the bread automatically and then raise the slice when it's done. Plus they last for years and years! Unfortunately, they cost quite a bit when new, but I've managed to find them at thrift stores for around $5 each (instead of the $70 they cost originally). Same is true for clothes and furniture. I'll be the last one to tell you to shop at an upper end retailer though (but it's quite a kick to find a sale at one of them and make out like a bandit). If you're looking to buy used appliances, go with better brands, like Kenmore or Whirlpool.