why is it a crime to pay for good products

[wildchild]

So here is the question, brought on somewhat by the Northface question.
Why do so many people say they would never pay full price for product xxx. Even if it's a good product they find fault with it somehow. (not saying Northface is a good product, I have none of their stuff) Oh I wouldn't mind having it but I'd only pay the same as I paid for a Walmart special or whatever.
The other day some folks that I know were talking. They know I have a new vehicle. (50 miles one way every day into the hood, I prefer to lower my chance of breakdowns) They had to tell me how they have 150,000 miles on their car and they're going to drive it till it drops. One just dropped $2500 in repairs, and the other was waiting for the shop to call with his bill. From the list of repairs he was having done it was going to be a small college tuition.
The amount they spend on repairs for that one trip to the shop covers my payments for the year and I don't have to worry about breaking down. Screw it they can have their beaters. I drive old stuff now and then (my truck is 7 years old and still runs very well)but if it costs me 2 grand to get it running it's gone.
I have a jacket made by Reima for snowmobiling. Was pricey $300. I use it for sledding, on the bike (cold days), skiing, and whatever else. I've had it for 7 years and it is awesome, water proof, windproof very lightweight. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Yeah it was expensive but it sure is nice.
Is it just that people can't afford it so they cut on those who do or are they just too cheap to buy a good product and would rather try to get by with crap? I cheap out on some things now and then to but only after weighing out the options and if the need is there for a better product I'm getting it. Good money once or cheap money every other use.
Just a thought.