Epson Stylus Color 980 and USB

Just bought my Epson Stylus Color 980.  Of course, there will be no USB cable included, so I will be buying one in the next day or so...before I get the printer.

The question I have is that as I have been looking at the USB cables, I notice that they come in various lengths...obviously costing more the longer you get the cable.  The other thing I have noticed is that some of the cables are gold plated and these cost even more.  I know you only buy (hopefully) a USB cable once, but are the gold plated ones really that much better to justify the extra cost?  The date transfer rating seems to be the same on both styles.  My guess is that they are really not worth the extra money...and are they really gold plated...or is that just a scam to get you to spend more money?