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Posted: 9/13/2023 8:09:13 AM EST
[#1]
Kind of an off topic, useless reply (like most of them), this reminds me of living in and near Detroit for 20+ years.
You would see a very nice Cadillac in a driveway while the blue tarps on the roof have been there for years. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 8:11:51 AM EST
[#2]
Also, some folks reckon they're going to die young and would rather enjoy life now, than living frugally now and saving up for later.
Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Who's to say they're wrong? |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 8:18:34 AM EST
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I know a fair number of high to very high wealth individuals. They are typically quite frugal and almost never buy into bling. You don’t need to waste money on a LV bag to show wealth if you have a couple of Jets after all.  Dave Chappelle "Kanye says only millionaire wear chains" |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 8:19:02 AM EST
[#4]
When you're poor you surround yourself with the illusion of wealth. You do the same with freedom.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 8:22:03 AM EST
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Also, some folks reckon they're going to die young and would rather enjoy life now, than living frugally now and saving up for later. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Who's to say they're wrong? An actuary could probably do a pretty good job of articulating it. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:11:31 AM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This thread is racial. It 100% isnt. Different idiots from different cultures find different ways to ruin their future. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:14:00 AM EST
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It's fun to look down on people and judge them for their decisions......from your position rather then theirs. but whatever, maybe ask them why? I know why. I am just observing the fact that it is becoming much more prevalent. There is a good article on VOX |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:15:17 AM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Fakes, stolen stuff, etc etc This. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:15:39 AM EST
[#9]
Something said by one of my favorite watch reviewers.
"Don't be that guy who owns a Rolex but doesn't own a bed frame."  I've heard that this is a really big thing in India. Yes there are a lot of fakes but there are also people who live about one rung above homeless who buy all manner of Gucci and other morbidly overpriced luxury products. And it's definitely not a trend restricted to single racial or ethnic group. Heck I've heard plenty of stories of people who are ethnically whiter than whipped cream who do this if you want to go all, "muh genes make me superior." |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:17:45 AM EST
[#10]
I would imagine most of it is knockoffs.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:19:19 AM EST
[#11]
Quoted: Due to my job I quite often run into section 8 trash/trailer trash or whatever colloquialism you want to use for people of every race and color that cost society money for a living. I see lots of people on the lower socioeconomic rungs with luxury items. Luis vitton handbags, guys going into car payment leve debt to pay for a Rolex, ridiculous sneakers with ridiculous prices. It seems since the pandemic this has been much more prevalent. I am 40 years old, perhaps I just started to notice this but it appears people are spending way more on stuff that they want but can't afford. I know that money is money but I'd your brand can be commonly found at every other waffle house fight video you have a problem. Your brand is well fucked. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:23:59 AM EST
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Plus the more you spend time around wealthy people, you realize a lot of their wardrobe is quite plain looking. No logos, no gaudiness. Just simple designs but tailored with high quality material. Actual wealthy people can spot real wealthy people a mile away. Of course there is some types spending $500 for Gildan-quality cotton shirts with Balmain or Balenciaga type logos but those are the Hypebeast/streetwear nerds or some 17 year old from Taiwan or China so ignore them. Even most of that stuff is fake too. That's my Ted Talk on this subject. Yeah. Our accountant that oversees the books for the company I work for and all the other subsidiaries of it is a guy who wears a polo and khakis and maybe blue jeans and loafers or basic tennis shoes. He has his own company that does CPA stuff and 401k and a bunch of related things. He bought the most basic low end model Mercedes sedan for when they were going for 45K dollars. He is a fella who is well of and he is humble. On a regular basis he has to sit down and help people cash out their 401k. Why would a 30 year old man cash out his 401k? Well because he wants the latest and the greatest Chevy suburban, F-150 king shit Eddie Bauer Yellowstone Testosterone pee pee poo poo edition of a luxury vehicle that is legally a truck. Here is a guy who makes maybe 70k a year destroying his retirement fund so he can keep up with the Jones. Now keep in mind that this is the rust belt and that car will be fucked in 8-10 years. He will probably be still paying the note on that car in that many years since the genius dint put nearly enough money in his 401k in the first place. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:27:53 AM EST
[#13]
It’s been going on since the ‘90s.
Yes, some is fake and stolen. But believe it or not, much of it is purchased. I actually did a paper on it in college. The short of it is, everyone is sold on the American Dream. To show that the dream is achieved, luxury items are used. Now, whether the American Dream is achieved through hard work, hitting the lottery, or “illegitimate” means (stealing, selling drugs, manipulating the system) is a different story. And depending on the sub-culture, “illegitimate” means may be viewed as perfectly legitimate, because morality is subjective. Anyway, brands that used to hold cache and indicate an elevated social class have found they can multiply their sales exponentially by convincing high school girls they need a Burberry scarf, that young men need an Armani suit, that Cartier frames or a Louis handbag will make your neighbors jealous. In the process, they’ve tainted their brand image, so their original core customer isn’t really interested anymore. But it doesn’t matter, because they’re doing more business than ever. Their core has changed, is broader, and spending. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:28:44 AM EST
[#14]
I remember as a broke kid taking the bus with my mom to go get our benefits package and seeing people in the parking lot pulling up in Cadillacs, taking off fur coats and gold and stashing it in the trunk as they walked into the same building for the same thing we are there for.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:30:34 AM EST
[#15]
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:37:13 AM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It’s been going on since the ‘90s. Yes, some is fake and stolen. But believe it or not, much of it is purchased. I actually did a paper on it in college. The short of it is, everyone is sold on the American Dream. To show that the dream is achieved, luxury items are used. Now, whether the American Dream is achieved through hard work, hitting the lottery, or “illegitimate” means (stealing, selling drugs, manipulating the system) is a different story. And depending on the sub-culture, “illegitimate” means may be viewed as perfectly legitimate, because morality is subjective. Anyway, brands that used to hold cache and indicate an elevated social class have found they can multiply their sales exponentially by convincing high school girls they need a Burberry scarf, that young men need an Armani suit, that Cartier frames or a Louis handbag will make your neighbors jealous. In the process, they’ve tainted their brand image, so their original core customer isn’t really interested anymore. But it doesn’t matter, because they’re doing more business than ever. Their core has changed, is broader, and spending. This is brand dilution 101. Who the fuck is making those decisions ? |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:39:56 AM EST
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is brand dilution 101. Who the fuck is making those decisions ? When making a decision short term gain always trumps long term business viability. I don't know if that's lesson number one taught at MBA courses but it sure seems like it. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:44:34 AM EST
[#18]
Ever been to a city in Africa? People might be living in a hovel with no electricity or running water, but they'll be walking around in nice clothes and carrying new phones.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:46:36 AM EST
[#19]
I see lots of people on the lower socioeconomic rungs with luxury items. Luis vitton handbags, guys going into car payment leve debt to pay for a Rolex, ridiculous sneakers with ridiculous prices. I am 40 years old, perhaps I just started to notice this but it appears people are spending way more on stuff that they want but can't afford. When you don't have to earn your money, you don't value it. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:47:10 AM EST
[#20]
Its like an ARF thread about The Poors, but in reverse.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:48:42 AM EST
[#21]
I never understood bling, fancy watches, expensive shoes, or fancy clothes.
My S/O is into all that. Fortunately, she can pay her own way. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:49:24 AM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Its like an ARF thread about The Poors, but in reverse. There has been a significant shift since 2019. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:58:05 AM EST
[#23]
SIL was talking to her son about her recent gift to their family of $20,000 ($10K ea. to son and his wife) Matt will probably just save it…the other son too but his wife has it spent already….$6000 for a built-in Miele Coffee Station. https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/CVA7845CTS.html?. And she’ll still probably go out for coffee every day.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 9:59:31 AM EST
[#24]
Sheesh.
 And here I was feeling guilty about $6000 of long overdue dental work. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 10:26:36 AM EST
[#25]
My dad worked in public housing and I used to occasionally go to work with him. Seeing the "poor" people having all the stuff we couldn't afford definitely made me a bit jaded towards any form of welfare.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 10:53:07 AM EST
[#26]
Quoted: Due to my job I quite often run into section 8 trash/trailer trash or whatever colloquialism you want to use for people of every race and color that cost society money for a living. I see lots of people on the lower socioeconomic rungs with luxury items. Luis vitton handbags, guys going into car payment leve debt to pay for a Rolex, ridiculous sneakers with ridiculous prices. It seems since the pandemic this has been much more prevalent. I am 40 years old, perhaps I just started to notice this but it appears people are spending way more on stuff that they want but can't afford. I know that money is money but I'd your brand can be commonly found at every other waffle house fight video you have a problem. Your brand is well fucked. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:11:10 AM EST
[#27]
There is literally a rap song and music video covering this exact topic:
 Big Tymers - Still Fly ...... Gator boots (Gator boots) With the pimped out Gucci suits (With them Gucci suits) Ain't got no job, but I stay sharp (I stay sharp) Can't pay my rent (I can't pay my rent) 'Cause all my money's spent (Mmm hmm) But that's okay, 'cause I'm still fly (Damn 'cause I'm so fly) Got a quarter tank of gas In my new E class (In my E-Class Benz) But that's alright, cause I'm gon' ride Got everything (We got everything) In my momma name (In my momma name) But I'm hood rich (Uh huh) na-na-na-na... |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:16:00 AM EST
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not having to pay for groceries frees up a good bit of money. or housing |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:21:19 AM EST
[#29]
 Its a way of life and mindstate for individuals called " FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT " 100% Serious Dress for the job you want Act as the character you want to be Put yourself in debt so you can create more ways of income due to necessity Yada yada yada I work for billionaires/forbeslisters. Some of my richest clients (500m+) wear amazon / costco goods, drive around a subaru, and wear flip flops. Zero jewelry yet they board their PJs or yachts. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:23:07 AM EST
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61xkTTpID8L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg Its a way of life and mindstate for individuals called " FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT " 100% Serious Dress for the job you want Act as the character you want to be Put yourself in debt so you can create more ways of income due to necessity Yada yada yada There is a difference between wearing a well fittet suit to the interview and being confident compared to spending 600 bucks on some gucci flip flops. Being skinny and fit and going to a tailor to get your suit fitted properly will go a long way vs you buying some gawdy name brand suit that sits like shit on you and you cant even properly bar lace your oxfords. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:24:46 AM EST
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: There is a difference between wearing a well fittet suit to the interview and being confident compared to spending 600 bucks on some gucci flip flops Same concept. That is all point of view. Person dependent on what they believe is true. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:26:52 AM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Same concept. That is all point of view. Ah yeah a very fair point. Sort of like really stupid person or a child blatantly lies to you and you have no idea how to respond to that because it is so obvious and foolish but they dont realize it? |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:28:12 AM EST
[#33]
If we know anything in life, 1 for sure thing is that there are more stupid people than smart ones.
Common sense isn't very common anymore. Most people believe that driving a 100k+ car means they made it in life even tho they have over 300k+ in debt. Delusion everywhere. In my prior life, I used to build race cars. 50% of my clientele dealt some type of illegal substance or associated shady business. 30% of them used credit cards or loans to pay for things they don't have money for. 20% had real wealth and could actually afford their hobby. I believe that to be a somewhat reflection to the people you are referring to in this thread. 
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:29:52 AM EST
[#34]
Quoted: Due to my job I quite often run into section 8 trash/trailer trash or whatever colloquialism you want to use for people of every race and color that cost society money for a living. I see lots of people on the lower socioeconomic rungs with luxury items. Luis vitton handbags, guys going into car payment leve debt to pay for a Rolex, ridiculous sneakers with ridiculous prices. It seems since the pandemic this has been much more prevalent. I am 40 years old, perhaps I just started to notice this but it appears people are spending way more on stuff that they want but can't afford. I know that money is money but I'd your brand can be commonly found at every other waffle house fight video you have a problem. Your brand is well fucked. Try being a landlord...... the stuff they buy amazes me. They live better / eat better / have more vacations / better furniture / better clothes / etc than I do. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:33:53 AM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61xkTTpID8L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg Its a way of life and mindstate for individuals called " FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT " 100% Serious Dress for the job you want Act as the character you want to be Put yourself in debt so you can create more ways of income due to necessity Yada yada yada I work for billionaires/forbeslisters. Some of my richest clients (500m+) wear amazon / costco goods, drive around a subaru, and wear flip flops. Zero jewelry yet they board their PJs or yachts. Couldn’t agree more, I rub shoulders with millionaires on a daily basis, if they wear designer clothes they have no logos or small logos. I wear from Burberry, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, and a few other nicer brands. It’s all about how you present yourself, how you talk and treat others. Have an air of confidence and initiative about you. IME the section 8 ghetto trash are ghetto trash because of the way they treat others and are too flashy, it’s easy to spot. Everyone assumes they are fake because they are so damn rude and in your face. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:41:45 AM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: OP have you ever been to Canal St in NYC? or Harwin Drive in Houston? or Temu, AliExpress, etc... fakes abound. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:42:54 AM EST
[#37]
In my coastal town, the poorest person is a millionaire [low side common denominator]
I play a game with my wife called billionaire or hobo. 100% real game. Its near impossible to tell. They could smell like they haven't bathed in 8 years, wear rags, flops, and drive a 70's Volkswagen. The only real indicator of wealth is perfect flawless piano teeth and skin. HEALTH IS WEALTH. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:44:31 AM EST
[#38]
Poor people stay poor by living like they're rich.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:45:52 AM EST
[#39]
This is nothing new.
And, those brands that cater to it set the conditions for their own devaluing. Louis Vuitton has already become a joke in many circles. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:46:40 AM EST
[#40]
Meanwhile.....50+ years ago...
 Welfare Cadillac - Guy Drake (1970) |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:53:24 AM EST
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It 100% isnt. Different idiots from different cultures find different ways to ruin their future. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: This thread is racial. It 100% isnt. Different idiots from different cultures find different ways to ruin their future. It's the opposite of racial, as the phenomenon is readily apparent as not racially-correlated. Sure, the spinning rims and lowriders might be replaced with monster trucks and boats, but that's usually more about the surrounding culture... the overall mentality is the same. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 11:59:04 AM EST
[#42]
A lot of those things are probably knockoffs. Fuck I have two fake rolexes I got in bazar's in Afghanistan for shits and giggles for like $25 each
As far as cars for certain demographics....they are status symbols. A chat with an older black man years ago was kind of eye opening. Back in the day it was harder for them to own land/property, especially in certain parts of the country, so a nice car like a Cadillac was how they could show that they *made it*. I think that part of the culture still kind of lives on in certain circles. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 12:27:39 PM EST
[#43]
Some people have confused the owner of a company I do a lot of work for as a homeless guy. Comes in from the field looking at something and has been crawling around and will come through the lobby. Same guy I've had lunch with him and two other fortune 500 CEO's and he looked kind of the same, a little more clean. His iphone looked like he dropped it from 100 feet, which he may have. Screen didn't work but he could still make a call. I wore wranglers and boots.
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Posted: 9/13/2023 12:33:12 PM EST
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:There has been a significant shift since 2019. Since Ed's passing. 
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Posted: 9/13/2023 12:38:30 PM EST
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Since Ed's passing. Is that the guy who made this site? I met him at ar15.com store I think in 2008? 20013? There was an MDTS class held there. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 12:40:57 PM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Fakes, stolen stuff, etc etc |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 12:52:01 PM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not having to pay for groceries frees up a good bit of money. This |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 2:59:57 PM EST
[#48]
Simply put, a different value set.
A lot of people hit on it already but there are many proximate causes for many different people. Some feel the need to show the appearance of wealth. Some feel the need to display wealth in certain formats compared to others. Some have time values that lead to the short term ( a few guys mentioned how businesses often do the same) In almost all of these scenarios we see cultural influences that shape the values expressed by the individuals concerned. |
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Posted: 9/13/2023 5:09:21 PM EST
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you are buying new from a authorized dealer, a Rolex is instantly worth more than you paid for it. Fine, I’ll loan you 200k. With that you buy as many Rolexes as possible, sell them, buy more repeat. Pay me 600k you keep the millions. I’m not worried but for fun let’s put your house up as collateral. PM me with your details. I’ll get the contract. |
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