Is OzBargain a thrift site, or a site for hyperconsumers?

RefusdClassification on 23/04/2013 - 09:56

I frequently see comments like, "I don't really need this, but I'll nab it because it's such a bargain", and people lamenting how broke this site is making them because they cannot resist a discount camera/headphones/computer tech/games/hardware etc.

My question to people is, does OzBargain really decrease your cost of living, or do you plough the money saved on one item into more purchases? What percentage of purchased made through Ozbargain listings are actually for items you use regularly (eg razor blades, socks, speakers, tablet) or have been wanting to purchase for a long time (eg price drop on a DSLR), and what proportion are just impulse buys that you may never use? For instance, I have purchased several Steam games that I will most likely never play, because they were 75% off, and a pair of formal shoes that I have yet to wear, and several art posters that haven't been mounted on a wall yet.

Tell me your experience, and some of the nonessential items you have acquired as a result of OzBargain retail therapy.

Site Discussion

Comments

  • mr fox on 23/04/2013 - 10:02

    I would say I'm sitting at about 50% useful savings on items I 'need' and 50% impulse buys.

    • Jamo speakers, a good deal because I needed an entertainment system for my house.
    • Yamaha amp, as above.
    • PS3 deal, as above.

    • Wenger watch, got over-excited on this one, unnecessary purchase.

    • Two pairs of half price Carrera sunglasses purchased last night, I'm thinking this was a smart purchase, time will tell if I have buyers regret!

    • andy19363 on 23/04/2013 - 22:32
      +2

      items I 'need'

      You seem to have confusion between the words 'need' and 'want'….

  • scotty on 23/04/2013 - 10:11
    +2

    I don't really need this, but I'll nab it because it's such a bargain

    I usually assume people say that in a tongue-in-cheek way, but I do agree that impulse buy happens and most likely due to some highlighted deals posted on OzBargain. However to directly answer your question:

    does OzBargain really decrease your cost of living

    No, as I'm not really a "buy first, ask later" kind of person. The main cost of living that we budgeted in my household are actually items that don't get posted as deals on OzBargain. For example kids' school fees.

    To be honest, I have only purchased one Steam game so far (over the last 6 years and maybe 2-3 Xbox 360 games), because my own realisation that I simply don't have that much time to play video games. Even with that Steam game I bought I have argued with myself for a few days whether I should invest the time for it. And once I decided, I just waited for the deal to turn up on OzBargain.

  • coolhead on 23/04/2013 - 10:14

    impulsive if the deal is good.. like i once purchased wine whereas i don't even drink :)
    Yesterday i was going to buy the $5 for 50 headphones (obviously i dont need that all), but then read it was out of stock

  • inasero on 23/04/2013 - 10:16

    Fair point, I would say that it could go both ways i.e. many savings to be had if you know how to control yourself and buy only those things which are absolute essentials, as opposed to buying anything and everything that has a percentage tag off attached to it.

    I myself have come across several excellent bargains, my favourite being a $400 set of global kitchen knives marked down to $240, which will last me a lifetime with good care.

    In all it really comes down to what you make out of it and the amount of self-restraint you have.

    • RefusdClassification on 24/04/2013 - 13:36

      Yes, you are right about discipline and self-control being necessary.I sometimes get carried away when shopping online, especially on Ebay. It must be even worse for a manic-depressive in an up phase - they have almost no behavioural restraint or money sense.

      Sometimes one can later sell impulse buys for the same price as you paid for it on Ebay, but you aren't guaranteed of breaking even, especially for more niche goods (posters) or goods for which there are many alternatives (clothing).

  • coolhead on 23/04/2013 - 10:18

    bought that stupid redbull sim for $10 i guess & never used it.. then one of my mates came from overseas and give him to use it temporarily but it never worked.. so useless purchase..

    • snappy1234 on 23/04/2013 - 10:31

      I took up the Redbull offer too…Don't know whether my area…but found mbb internet speed not much chop- so didn't extend once the freeby ran out…

    • johnno07 on 25/04/2013 - 10:36

      A fantastic combination of false assumptions and douchebaggery in that post. Bravo.

  • retiredfeline on 23/04/2013 - 10:35
    +1

    Nearly always I go for a deal if I was going to buy it anyway or need it soon. In fact if I'm not in a hurry, I now wait for the OzB deal. So I hope there's a deal on Amaysim recharges in the next couple of months. :)

    Categories that don't interest me at all I'm not tempted in the least to look at.

    Freebies and discount coupons are always good of course. Sometimes I buy a cheap group deal to try out the establishment.

    Ok, I do have some Meritline trinkets. But I am using the torch and the Ethernet cable. And I have made jokes about buying something I don't need so I would take similar jokes with large grain of salt.

  • Davo1111 on 23/04/2013 - 10:37
    +2

    Generally i have my eye on something, then it appears on ozbargain. That's when i strike. bam!

  • _Bruce_ on 23/04/2013 - 10:53
    +2

    I never impulse buy. I actually think that ozbargain has a further money saving effect (for me) in that I will actively avoid everyday purchases that are not particularly great deals.

    • scotty on 23/04/2013 - 11:17
      +5

      Yeah me too. It actually helps me to shield up. Whenever I walk pass an advertisement or some shop doing their sales pitch, I just go "meh, must be cheaper elsewhere".

  • tanoshiiki on 23/04/2013 - 10:59

    I think it depends what type of person you are and that will mostly drive how you use this site. I admit that I've probably bought a few impulse purchases before due to an OzB post, but usually they were something I was after anyway.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/04/2013 - 11:34

      I'm generally a very calculating and restrained shopper, and manage to resist impulse buying even amidst OzBargain frenzy.

      I don't worry too much about OzBargainers who accumulate draws full of Meritline toothpaste rollers, SATA cables etc. in quantities that they'll never use, because monetarily it still won't add up to much. I am a bit more worried about the genuine hoarders around who are clearly getting themselves in some strife, with OzBargain's presence - with the individuals' particular psychology in play - probably not helping matters for them.

      In addition to people occasionally referencing quantities bought, I seem to remember one guy in a thread who mentioned that he had more than twenty manufacturers' cashback offers in the works and outstanding for equipment he had purchased.

      I certainly worry about him. Is he just a savvy shopper? Maybe. I think though that many of his 'gains' may end up rightly belonging in the 'losses' column.

  • one man clan on 23/04/2013 - 12:29
    +5

    Based on membership/upvoted deals, everyone is just hoarding HDMI cables.

    • zelda707 on 23/04/2013 - 21:01
      +1

      and eneloops

    • bennib0i on 23/04/2013 - 21:05

      Yes i totally agree!

      I hoarded up to 4 HDMI cables brand new unopened at one point then they slowly went to use: HTPC, Apple TV, Hooking up laptop to tv.

      Now I only got 1 left spare. These things that are a few bucks may be a bargain when i buy them and I would rather have up to 5 sitting there (costing up to $20 from OzB) then not have one ready when I need it and have rush out and buy it at full price.

      My philosophy: if you may use it in the next 2 years (times change to fast to go further) and its a bargain price then buy it. If you don't use it, then give it away as a gift or to the salvo's.

      • Jackson on 24/04/2013 - 08:13

        This is an interesting one for me as there are always savings in buying a bargain ahead of time if it actually will be used (I have a room at home that looks like a tech wrecking yard)

        However what I have found in my case is that I don't always use things myself, but since I am the tech go to guy for alot of people I know it allows me to pass on alot of savings to friends, and occasionally there is such a good deal on something that you can even make a buck or 2 and still save someone a crapload on a phone etc. And they are always appreciative.

    • Davo1111 on 23/04/2013 - 21:08

      It seems everyone on here has a $199 netbook and a HP fileserver.

      • altomic on 23/04/2013 - 22:13

        my netbook is going strong after 2.5 years. though track pad has died. battery lasts 2 hours. it is slow as anything when internettering.

        needs a good reinstall and 6 cell battery.

        • johnno07 on 25/04/2013 - 10:40

          my netbook is going strong after 2.5 years. though track pad has died. battery lasts 2 hours. it is slow as anything when internettering. needs a good reinstall and 6 cell battery.

          I think you and I have different definitions of "going strong"…

  • aim54x on 23/04/2013 - 13:33

    I have to admit that I get very tempted to impulse buy regularly, but I so sit back and rethink before I hit the purchase

  • pyramid on 23/04/2013 - 13:42

    I think OZB helped me most of the time to save money. For example, HTC Velocity@$200 or Lumia@$200 from telechoice (Though later i sold lumia on gumtree for $200).

    I get tempted most of the time for impulse buying but resist at last moment by thinking that this might be cheaper in coming weeks and deals :D…

  • DealzEddy123 on 23/04/2013 - 23:32

    everything I have bought from OzB deals I do not need and end up having random goods lying around in my room which I try to flog on gumtree

  • kyteflyer on 24/04/2013 - 07:00

    I do not impulse buy. I have to be in a physical store for that to happen, for some reason. I check Ozbargain daily but so far have not felt inclined to buy anything. I do occasionally get the freebies listed (books, apps). There are some things I check for, and will buy if they come up at the price I want to pay.

  • huntress_love on 24/04/2013 - 11:54

    i usually look for free stuff on ozb. I only impluse buy stuff under $10, which is generally doesn't waste that much money. The most recent the the recorder, no really use for it at the moment, but figure it was cheap and had good reviews and could ultimiately use it. Didn't want to miss out and buy something expensive later on when I do need it!

  • cheepwun on 24/04/2013 - 21:30

    I never impulse buy.
    Because it only ends in disappointment that I didn't get something better or that I didn't research things more.

    If I don't hunt for the right product (ideally at the right price) and if it's not something I need or will derive enjoyment from, I'm disappointed in myself for buying it; I don't get joy from buying something that isn't really needed or wanted.

    When I do buy things not on my (immediate) agenda, they have been on my agenda at one stage or another in the past and are in line with my interests and activities.

    If anything, I probably over-think most of my purchases, and OzBargain has helped me save money, not lose it. At least that's all I'm admitting to now :)

  • jwrathall on 25/04/2013 - 00:30

    Impulse buys that suck are great for gifts for your not-so-close friends

  • fertiliser on 25/04/2013 - 09:46

    i guess the question that remains after all of this.. what on earth is a hyperconsumer? Did you make that word up?

    • cheepwun on 25/04/2013 - 15:00

      hyper+consumer
      A person who buys a lot. Goes hyper on da shoppingz?
      Buys lots of stuff that they don't need.

      That was my interpretation.

    • retiredfeline on 25/04/2013 - 15:07

      One who buys in a hypermarket. Most of us are just superconsumers.

  • movieman on 25/04/2013 - 13:24

    Hey guys,

    Initially when I new about this site, I was ONLY interested in the FREEBIES…

    If it costed money, I wasn't interested.

    But soon things changed, and now I'll only sign up for a freebie in an odd, occasion, and can't remember the last time I clicked on the 'freebie tab'.

    I buy things nowadays, and find I buy more than I would without Ozbargain, but due to the great price, I'm happy with it.

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