Otherwise, anything to do with Purchasing cannot have Parity.
Take this example (in Indian Rupees, of course).
This pair of leather boots I dig, are a cool 2,000. The lower end Nike/Reebok/Adidas shoes can be got for 2000+. The price of a local-make microwave oven is 2,700. The price of a DVD-MP3-anything player is 1,500 (branded).
The price of a sumptuous meal for two at a decent restaurant with drinks in a non veg joint can be 1,500+taxes. The price of one bottle of good Indian wine can be 1,000. The price of a pint bottle of Corona can be 500+taxes, so for two, it would be 1000+taxes and wont even have the same effect as 750 ml of Vodka.
The price of a pair of Nike shorts can be 1,300 (which I loved!). The price of renting a car for 800Km is 1000. The price of a Pink Floyd DVD is 699. The price of a broadband connection is 2,000 per month.
The price of the book you really want is at least 1,000. The charge for an all-India library membership is 1,000.
The price of a good perfume begins from 1,500. The price of a pair of jeans start at 1,200 (branded). The price of a gold&diamond pendant can begin from 2,000. The price of a jazzy artifical set of jewelry can be 2,000.
Your whole monthly grocery shopping can be completed in 2,000.
Where is the parity?
When I go out to buy that pair of jeans, which other thing should/ could I rather buy/ should buy with the same moolah? Is buying the CD really "worth" it? Is buying the book better than getting a library membership? We can think nothing of spending 2,000 on a dinner, or on a single small bottle of Johnny Walker, which would be over in the next hour. And think 10 times before spending it on that DVD player which would be outdated in a year.
I personally, would reason that since I hardly cook, Id rather buy a microwave later, and buy those pair of boots now which would last me till later. Now, would I? Or should I go and buy that book? Or simply, go get the membership? Or, add it all up and save money for my tax returns.
Where, is, the Parity? All hogwash I tell you! ^_^