What's In The Name?

Does it make sense to buy something $100 or more just because of its brand name when the person sitting next to me in the subway could be wearing the same exact thing with similar material, color, fit, etc. but from a non-brand company? As a consumer, do you feel cheated upon buying a logo of just about the size of a nickel or even smaller just to make ourselves feel better? A big price to pay for fashion, considering millions of Americans are in debt, just to get a piece of that Prada bag, those Manolo Blahniks stilettos or just a pair of these Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses.  No wonder a lot of New Yorkers will always find a way to get their hands on those "break-our-wallets" pretty little things.  It might not be the real thing but those Grade-A fakes will make you see double takes.