How Much Did That Cost?

Usually if I ask, it's because it's something that (if reasonably priced) I might be interested in getting for myself/my family.

When I've lived in areas with huge diversity (NYC), not many people asked how much things cost. If they were rich, it was tacky, and even the poorer people stood by the old fashioned etiquette of not talking finances for the most part. With close friends, all bets are off and people can always ask. Anyone asking in order to put you down for spending is both rude and a jerk (and yes, I've seen people do that).
And now we live in a SUPER non-pretentious working class area, and people ask all the time because they literally may want to go buy the same thing. There really isn't anywhere to pay $300 for a blender around here-they just want to know who's carrying the no-frills item cheapest, Sears, the local hardware store or Wal Mart :).

I think most people ask how much something cost because they actually just want to know how much it costs. If you want to read something else into it more power to you but those are your issues alone.

Say I knew someone who bought a Blend Tec I may ask because I have always wanted one, maybe hoped they came down a bit in price. I may say after you answer, still too expensive for me. Thing is that has nothing to do with finances! I probably have more in savings than you could dream of, it is just a really cool blender is kind of low on my list of things I want.

It is moving up mind you, we have a lot of brewing equipment, four grills, and I just got my 1,000 dollar espresso machine. I am not bragging, just trying to give you a point of view. Just because I would think 400 for a blender is too much doesn't mean I don't have 400 to blow on a blender, it just means I am not willing at this point in my life.
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Ya know though, this is just my point of view. I am sure there are people out there that ask for other reasons. Just my experience, most don't. I will one day break down and get my stupidly expensive blender. :)

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Okay so expensive coffee machine or not if the coffee doesn't kick in I miss my own point. I don't have a lot of things my friends have. I don't see the point in flying to Disney once a year. We all take different things for granted.

Ya know I am going to get in the office and this still won't make sense.

It depends on what it is. I have had people ask me how much all my stuff in my house costs, from my TV to my fridge to my furniture. My husband has had people ask him the same for other things. I think it also depends on the person, and you can have a feel for what their true desire to know is - your finances or what you really paid for something. But to be honest, I don't usually tell them. I say something like "I can't remember" or whatever I come up with. And I do agree with you that people have different limitations.

Sometimes I say "I'd rather not say" - Especially if I know the person will make a negative comment about how much I paid for something. My sister asked me how much I paid to get my hair done - I know she doesn't spend alot on her hair and she definitly would have made a comment about the cost. So I just said smiled and said "I'd rather not say" .. and she just laughed and we moved on.

I don't have that many people asking me how much I paid for stuff... maybe it is the company we all keep? (jk)

Actually, I have asked (and will continue to in the future) if it is something that I don't know about. I like it, or think it is neat, or might consider getting one myself if the price isn't something I consider unreasonable. But I would never ask just "to gauge someone else's finances". That wouldn't enter into it at all. If I wanted to do that, I would just google it. LOL
But if I genuinely MIGHT want one for myself, and have no clue about it or where to get it, I would probably just ask. Obviously you'd have some good info if you have one... :)

well it depends. If I am asking someone in my immediate family (in my house), I may be trying to find out how much they are spending if i'm trying to help them budget better. otherwise, i don't ask unless I am thinking about buying the same thing.

I have a couple good friends who will ask how much was paid for something, but usually because they are shopping for a similar item, like we just got a new washing machine, and a friend asked where I got it from, and the price range. I told her were I got it, and how much it was on sale for. Or if someone knows that an item was purchased at a yardsale, or a resale shop, some friends might ask to celebrate a good deal!
Outside of that, I haven't had too many people ask how much things cost. Mostly because people know how rude I think it is just to ask how much money I am spending. Seriously? you don't need to know how much I spent on my couch.
I think that a lot of people ask so that they can talk about it behind your back. "Oh my goodness! So that is where their money is going!" or "Can you believe they chinced out on something like that!" type thing. I have heard the conversations that follow when someone asks about how much something cost.

I havr no concept of what stuff cost so if someone i don't know well tells me they paid $150, 000 for a new car, i just smile because i have no idea if that is a good price or not.

if i am looking to buy something like say a treadmill and i've visiting someone and they walk me past their treadmill I might ask if they would mind sharing how much they paid or how much they think a used one might cost me. If i ask, it's because i know the person well and because i'm looking for information. unfortunately i ususally forget how much they said as soon as they say it

I'm pretty sure I don't ask this question often, but if I do it's only because it's something I might want. Usually I don't even have to ask, the other person just outright tells me.

We all have different priorities when it comes to spending money. Someone paying 300.00 for a blender might have a passion for cooking, and spend less on something you would pay a lot more for.

Either ask them directly, "Why do you want to know?"

Or play dumb, and say, "I just don't remember."

And change the subject.

If you're asked, the best you can ask is "Oh, my that's great - where did you find such a cool item?" and then research the cost on line yourself.

Hi MB it's so funny that you would ask that because I have a person in particular that always asks me that darn question. That person is my aunt and she always asks questions to try to squeeze information out of me or others. She wanted to know how much I paid for it so I gave her a vague answer and then she asked me the same question another way and finally gave her the amount. It was not like she wanted to buy that type of bed or a bed at all. I know she likes to know what people spend to see how much money you have or don't have because now you have to make all these payments on it. Thank the lord we paid it off in a year so we did good. She probably thinks I am ignorant and I am making bad wrong financial choices. We recently purchased a new vehicle, our first ever, and I don't even want to tell her or show it to her because I know that she will ask me how much did you pay for it and if I tell her that that information is private she will be all offended and ask me not to come to her house again or something crazy like that.

I honestly think that some people might want to know what you paid for a product because they are interested in making a similar purchase. On the other hand I also agree with you that other people just want to be nosy and know what you paid for something so they can tell you their opinion and or talk about you behind your back.

Since I know my aunt is that way I try to avoid her and not visit her that much. If I do go to her house I will say hi and maybe talk for a couple of minutes and then I hang out with my cousins.

I thought your question was interesting and didn't know other people felt the same way about others asking how much did it cost. I guess we all do have some nosy people in our lives, lol.

I agree with Loveteachingmath...
I'm not normally asking to be nosey, I'm asking because I might want it, but want to check to see if they got a good deal, if I got screwed on my deal, if it's even worth buying, etc...
I wouldn't ask, how much someone's mortgage is, or how much they paid for their car, but if it's about renting a kids waterslide, or buying a tent to go camping, I'm just price comparing.. :)

I really never ask someone outright "how much did that cost". I just think its kind of rude and nobodys business. I would maybe say "oh we were thinking of getting one of those" and maybe they would tell me where they got it and if they wanted to say how much they paid or to let me know they got a great deal on it, then that would be up to them. JMOH :-)

I don't usually get asked this question, rarely. I have asked a person a few times. But it's been items that I don't really know about, know what the cost would be.

I don't really care if a person asks me as long as its for a good reason.