Ah, the BRAND NAME LABEL. Potent talisman of reputability! Or maybe “ugly tag that makes medium-quality goods unaccountably more expensive.” We’re of two minds about this.
On the one hand, we fancy ourselves clear-eyed hunters for value. Nothing pleases us more than finding a no-name, store-brand, or junk-brand product with beefy specs, built better than its manufacturer’s feeble rep would suggest. The proverbial diamond in the rough! A truffle in the peat! This year’s homecoming queen, hiding amongst the nerds under unkempt hair and unstylish glasses!
On the other hand, shopping’s exhausting sometimes. And if there’s a name brand you’ve grown to trust, and that trust saves you some time and effort comparison shopping, that’s great. Even if it does cost you a few extra bucks now and then. You’re buying free time you can use to do literally anything else besides reading Amazon user reviews.
At its best, the reputable label gives you a shortcut. And life needs more shortcuts. If we’re convinced Company X makes good raincoats, or hand tools, or face cream, and that conviction means we’ve never gotta research raincoats, or hand tools, or face cream ever again in our lives, we say THANK YOU, Company X. Enjoy our money.
Enter Yeti’s Hopper Flip 12 soft cooler.
Yeti is undoubtably the best-known name in high-end coolers. If you’re hauling fresh antelope quarters out of the desert or whatever, one of their iconic hard coolers is a no-brainer choice.
But that’s probably not what you’re doing. You’re probably tailgating, or camping, or trying to keep vodka discreetly chilled under your desk until book club after work. Is it worth going to the guys who make the Cadillac of coolers to outfit your Hyundai lifestyle?
Maybe, if you can find a reputable online retailer who’ll sell it to you cheap. WINK, WINK.
Oh shit, are deals like these going to make Meh a trusted brand!?
