Half of adults consider "cheap" a compliment - Printable Version

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Half of adults consider "cheap" a compliment - Kyng - 06-14-2022

https://www.studyfinds.org/sales-bargain-hunters-cheap/

NEW YORK — When it comes to finding a good deal, 53 percent of shoppers say they’re proud to be labeled a bargain-hunter. In a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, more than half consider being called “cheap” a compliment (54%).

In fact, the poll found the average respondent would travel an hour to a store if they knew an item they wanted was on sale there.

The survey – conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Ollie’s for their America’s Biggest Cheapskate contest – delved into how far the average person will go to save a bit of cash and how getting a great deal makes them feel.

“In today’s economy and with the skyrocketing prices on consumer goods, it’s more important than ever that shoppers find ways to save money on a variety of items – both big and small,” says John Swygert, president and chief executive officer at Ollie’s, in a statement. “Shopping discount stores that offer bargain prices on brand name merchandise is a great way consumers can find good deals and save big.”

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I mean, there is a difference between being frugal (i.e. skilled at keeping one's own living expenses down) and just being stingy (i.e. refusing to spend money, to the point where it's negatively affecting other people in one's life). But I guess the word 'cheap', which has always been more associated with the latter, might be getting closer to the former now.

Myself, I still see 'cheap' as a largely negative term (when referring to people), but maybe that'll change over time, depending on how the word is used .

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RE: Half of adults consider "cheap" a compliment - Jarkko - 06-15-2022

Yeah, "cheap" = closer to "stingy" for me. Unless it's concerning sport, and then it's definitely not a compliment, because it's like a milder form of "dirty."

But "semantic shift" and everything like that, yadda yadda yadda

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RE: Half of adults consider "cheap" a compliment - Shiny Star - 06-17-2022

Depends on the context really. If someone is good at maintaining their monthly expenses then I see cheap as a compliment. If someone does not invest in nice clothes or leisure activities then the whole definition of cheap is different.

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RE: Half of adults consider "cheap" a compliment - Emerald - 06-18-2022

If people need to budget I guess they will, but I dislike people who always buy cheap goods that last 2 seconds before they break.

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