why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

chrshanl37:  I suspect part of my apparent inability to gain acceptance from some to my very simplistic (but logical and correct) price/quality/value relationship is that these guys know me from other forum threads and will (likely) disagree strongly with me regardless of what I present or opine.

Or it might be that if they accept there is a value relationship between quality and price, they might, then, have to accept that they have made some pretty questionable choices in audio accessories.

chrshanl37

If I audition two components in my system and like the sound of both equally, I like how they look, both have a reputation for being of high quality and durability. But component A is $300 more than Component B. Which one represents the better value? For what reason(other than potential re-sale value further down the road if I decide to sell) would I choose to spend the extra $300?

There could be any one of a number of reasons. For example, service before and after the sale may be important. Did the dealer offer guidance before the sale that might prevent "buyer’s remorse" or the churning of equipment? Does the dealer of one product offer onsite service that might speed response time and save shipping costs? Does one dealer offer free loaners, will he buy me lunch when I visit, do I pay for parking at his store or is it free? To attempt to reduce a value judgment to a rigid formula, e.g."products of like quality (durability, performance, appearance, etc), the one with the lowest cost represents the best value" is simplistic. Or conversely, were it as simplistic as this poster absolutely insists, more of us would be drinking the same beer, using the same amplifiers and buying the same dishwashers. Attempts to reduce human behavior to rigid formulas are sure to disappoint. A formula is no better than a guideline, a "rule of thumb."

In this instance, we have an argumentative participant. Note that he wrote earlier:

for almost all purchases, my equation is accurate. End of my participation in this issue.

Now he’s saying:

I suspect part of my apparent inability to gain acceptance from some ... is that these guys know me from other forum threads

This thread is: " why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable?" The answer is: because they have decided that it is a good value for them. And of course, "expensive," as with "value," is subjective.

Again....muddled point.  Service after the sale, lunch, warranty, free loaner, etc. are all part of the "quality" component of the equation.  Just like discount, kickback, freebies, etc. would all be part of the price component.

A 2018 Audi without warranty is not the same quality product as an identical car with one. 

I'm telling you, the reason they are making it so complex (when it isn't) is because they must find a reason to disagree.

Since dynaquest4 mentioned in his post “pre-owned” let’s just suppose one of the components was being offered from a local dealer and it comes with a 90 day return or a one year warranty or some other service. Within that scenario the components would no longer be considered of “like” quality and reliability that dynaquest4 mentioned in his basic formula.

I do agree with your statement that “they have decided that it is a good value to them” in which case the basic formula of appearance/performance/quality/reliability still applies regardless of cost to that individual. What does it matter what someone else thinks? 

In other words I have found a cable that costs 10x my current cable and feel it exceeds it in every regard based on the formula. I buy it because for me it is a good value whereas my fellow audiophile friend uses the exact same formula and declares that I am crazy for buying it because he cannot hear the difference. Now do I care about his subjective opinion? Of course not I am building my system not his. But he will still utilize the same formula I used to base his purchasing decision on regardless of what I think a good value is or should be to him.

Sorry posted this right after yours dynaquest4