Branded or Shiny Market Bag- A Real-Life Shopping Story

Hello dear friends,
I hope you all are doing well and spending a beautiful life with your loved ones. I wish you all happiness and peace.

Earlier this month, my wife and I went to the market to buy her a new side bag. She had been saying for a while that she needed one, so I decided to get her a good-quality bag this time.

At first, she said, Let’s go to Apex. I’ll buy from there.I agreed, knowing that Apex always sells durable and branded items.

We went to the Apex showroom — neatly arranged shelves, elegant designs, and a professional environment. But surprisingly, she didn’t like any of them! She said, “These bags don’t look that beautiful. They’re not shiny at all.I smiled and said, “They may not be shiny, but they’re strong and long-lasting.” She replied, “Still, they don’t look attractive.

Then I took her to Bata and Bay showrooms. The same thing happened again — branded bags, good quality, but nothing caught her eye. Honestly, branded bags often look simple, but they are durable. However, their price is a bit higher, usually above 3,000 taka.

At one point, she liked a nice bag that cost 3,500 taka. I encouraged her, saying, “This one looks perfect. Let’s buy it.” But she hesitated and said, “It’s a bit too expensive. If it were around 2,500 or 3,000, that would be fine.”

I tried to explain to her that “Good things cost a little more, but they last much longer.” Still, she wasn’t convinced.So, we walked out of the showroom without buying anything.

As we were walking past the French Market area, we noticed many small shops displaying rows of colorful, shiny bags. The lights made them look even more attractive. She stopped there immediately and said, “Look! These bags are so beautiful. Let’s buy from here.”

I knew very well that these market bags might look stylish but wouldn’t last long — the color would fade, the chain would break, or the handle would tear after a few weeks. I told her, “These bags won’t last. It’s better to buy a branded one that will serve you for years.”

But she had already made up her mind.
“No, I like these! I’ll take one from here.”

Finally, I gave in.
We bought one for 1,000 taka, and she was happy. She smiled while holding the shiny new bag, and I smiled back, saying, “Alright, let’s see how long this one lasts.”

Later, when we came home, I started thinking — life often puts us in similar situations. We keep choosing between appearance and quality. Sometimes we run after shiny things that please the eyes but don’t last long.

A bag may shine for a few days, but a durable one will serve you for years — just like in life, where long-lasting value always outweighs temporary beauty.

Don’t just chase what looks good — choose what is good. Paying a bit more for quality is never a loss; it’s an investment in peace of mind and durability.