The idea is that one does not need a $1500 sofa if all one wants is something to sit on. As an example, I purchased my first sofa costing more than zero at age

The idea is that one does not need a $1500 sofa if all one wants is something to sit on. As an example, I purchased my first sofa costing more than zero at age 43. But I've always had sofas everywhere I lived before that. Sofas that meet the definition of "something to sit on" can be had for roughly zero dollars and are plentiful at that price point. You would notice the difference if you put one side by side with a new one costing $1500, indicating that perhaps that difference in appearance is the real reason that somebody without $1500 to spare would choose to buy the latter in favor of the former.