You Get What You Pay for – Meaning, Origin & Usage

When a product or service is not exactly up to standards, you’re likely to hear the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’. If you’re not sure what that means exactly, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, i will be explaining what the phrase means, how it may have originated, how and when to use the phrase, and I’ll even throw in some alternative words and phrases that you can use in its place.

And without further ado, let’s get straight to it.

What is the meaning of the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’’?

The phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ refers to the common conception that cheaper products and services are inferior to the golden standard in the category. Or in other words, that the quality of a product or service determines its price.

The consequence of purchasing an inferior product or service, simply because it is cheap, or cheaper than certain alternatives, is that you will encounter issues when you come to use it. And this prompts the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’. The idea being that it’s worth spending a little (or a lot) extra money for a petter quality product or service.

The phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ is a literal one, and it’s just one of many well-known phrases on the topic of money and value in the English language.

What is the origin of the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’’?

The precise origin of the phrase ‘you get what you pay for you’ is unclear. There are those who attribute it to Sir James Goldsmith, but it is unclear whether this was the actual first use of the term.

There are many who believe it to be a phrase from American slang, however it is more likely that the phrase came from England, UK in the mid to late 19th century.

That said however, it is a sentiment that can be traced back to various cultural and historical contexts. Similar sayings have appeared in literature and folklore, reinforcing the idea that good value comes at a price.

How and when can you use the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’’?

You can use the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ in a wide variety of circumstances, and it is suitable for both formal and informal communication. The phrase is typically used when a product or service is shown to be ineffective for its intended purpose.

Examples of the phrase in use may include when the soles of a cheap pair of shoes break on the first wear. Or when a service is of poor quality because it was carried out by someone on lower pay with less experience.

What are some other ways of saying ‘you get what you pay for’?

There may be instances when you don’t wish to use the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’. For example, if you want to refer an item to a shop or store for a refund because it is unsatisfactory. If it’s a handmade item, for example, then you may wish to avoid saying this because you don’t want to cause offence to the person who made it. Luckily, there are several words and phrases that you can use in place of this phrase in order to avoid such a scenario. Here follows a list of examples for you to consider using – you’ll find that some are more appropriate for this scenario than others.

• There seems to be an issue with this item, can you please take a look?
• I’m here for a refund, this item doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do.
• Buy cheap, buy twice.
• Pay peanuts, get monkey work.
• If you want good quality you should pay for good quality.
• ‘Cheap’ doesn’t mean ‘good’.
• You’ve sold me an inferior product.
• I should have spent more money and got something of better quality.
• That was a waste of money.
• I guess good quality comes at a price. 

Final word

So, to sum up, the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ means that cheaper products and services are typically inferior when compared with higher priced goods and services. The precise origins of the phrase are unclear, since it is a sentiment that has been echoed throughout history in various different cultures.

The phrase is typically used when a product or service is shown to be inferior, when the person saying the phrase is implying that more money should have been spent in order to achieve a better result. If you don’t want to use this phraser, there are often a range of alternative phrases that you can use in its place, but bear in mind that some are more positive than others.