you get what you pay for

1. Inexpensive goods or services are likely to be inferior, as in That vacuum cleaner fell apart in a year—I guess you get what you pay for, or The volunteers take three times as long with the mailing, but you get what you pay for. This economic observation probably dates from ancient times but is disputed by those who do not equate high price with high quality.

Example Sentences

Prices vary, and you get what you pay for.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There’s the adage that you get what you pay for, and it seems to apply to this bull market.

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The sad truth about so much free TV is that you get what you pay for.

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Eric: You get what you pay for!

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And if it’s a little easier to hear the neighbors through the walls, well, you get what you pay for.

Read more on Slate