Another problem is that quality items generally spread by word of mouth, and don't need to advertise as much. So, as an example, I am interested in camping and hiking gear, but the best brands aren't as desperate to advertise, so I get endless ads instead for cheap gadgets or unproven inventions that might work once and then fall apart. Recently spent $600 on two camera bags that I hadn't seen advertised but knew the brand, but had seen ads for many cheap $50 bags instead.