poor value for money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'poor value for money' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase could be used when a person is expressing their dissatisfaction with the amount of money spent for a product or service in comparison with the utility/value of that product or service. Example: "The repair work done on my car was of poor value for money, as I feel it should have been done more efficiently for the price I paid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Frankly, it is often poor value for money.

The Guardian

"Some PFI deals were poor value for money," he says.

The Guardian

But annuities were regarded as poor value for money – particularly for those with medical problems.

The Guardian - Money

Even the Department for Transport thinks the scheme risks being poor value for money.

The Guardian

There is, then, little doubt from the hard data that PFPs are poor value for money.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some bloggers and commentators have already concluded that short length equals poor value for money.

The Guardian - Music

However, the BBC Trust remained unbowed and said the current schedule represents "poor value for money".

The Guardian

"There is huge discontent at the level of fees and poor value for money in universities.

The Guardian

The result suggests Conservative donors got poor value for money compared with Labour donors.

The Guardian

Those that offer poor value for money will have to shape up, or disappear.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The private finance initiative financed schools and hospitals that would otherwise never have been built, but also led to some very poor value-for-money deals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing services or products, follow "poor value for money" with specific reasons to justify your assessment. For example: "The service was poor value for money due to the long delays and unhelpful staff."

Common error

Avoid using "poor value for money" simply because something is inexpensive. The phrase implies a mismatch between the cost and the quality or utility received, not just a low price. A cheap item can still be good value if it meets your needs adequately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor value for money" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (often implied or directly stated) to express dissatisfaction with the cost-to-benefit ratio. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase correctly conveys that the amount of money spent is not justified by the utility received.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor value for money" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something isn't worth its cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it's used to criticize spending, evaluate investments, or assess the cost-effectiveness of services or products. To enhance your writing, provide specific reasons when using this phrase and avoid confusing it with mere cheapness. Consider alternatives like "not worth the cost" or "overpriced item" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not worth the cost

Expresses a lack of perceived benefit relative to the expense.

overpriced item

Directly points to the price being too high for what is offered.

bad investment

Emphasizes the lack of return or benefit from the money spent.

exorbitant price for little benefit

Highlights the contrast between a very high price and a low return.

uneconomical purchase

Focuses on the wastefulness of the expenditure.

deficient return on investment

Focuses on the inadequate gains from the money spent.

uneconomic proposition

Implies that the suggestion is bad for business or finance.

low-yield expenditure

Emphasizes the minimal outcome from the outlay.

rip-off

Highlights the exploitative nature of the price.

waste of resources

Stresses the inefficient allocation of funds.

FAQs

How can I use "poor value for money" in a sentence?

You can use "poor value for money" to describe a product, service, or investment that isn't worth its cost. For example, "The hotel was "poor value for money" because the rooms were small and the service was slow."

What's a more formal way to say "poor value for money"?

In a more formal context, you might say "uneconomical purchase" or "deficient return on investment" to convey a similar meaning as "poor value for money".

Which is correct, "poor value for money" or "bad value for money"?

Both phrases are commonly used and generally understood. "Poor value for money" is slightly more prevalent in formal writing, while "bad value for money" is more informal.

What can I say instead of "poor value for money"?

You can use alternatives like "not worth the cost", "overpriced item", or "rip-off" depending on the context and the degree of dissatisfaction you want to express.