Fellow OzBargainers! What everyday products DON'T you skimp on?!

rawm on 04/07/2015 - 12:06
Last edited 07/07/2015 - 14:23 by 1 other user

We are all bargain hunters here! Some more than others. But what products do you feel you DONT you skimp on?
(Everyday items that are used often)

For me:
1 - Nail Clippers/Tweezers
2 - Steak Knives
3 - White goods (esp. Washing Machine/Dishwasher)
4 - Spring/Summer business shirts (i.e. Charles Tyrwhitt)
5 - Electric Toothbrush (Oral B series)

Everything else I can think of (Electronics, Clothing, Car, Food etc) for me is negotiable and depends largely on the price at the time.

Fellow Ozbargainers - think hard - how many/which products DON'T you skimp on?

Answer the poll below also please!

Poll Options expired

  • 5
    4 to 8 Products
  • 9
    1 to 3 Products
  • 25
    9+ Products
  • 52
    Everything is fair game, I skimp on anything!
General Discussion

Comments

    • ajs900 on 07/07/2015 - 18:54

      The Coles brand cheese is alright when Bega / mainland is $13+ a kilo

  • enforcer on 07/07/2015 - 15:44
    +1

    Tyres
    Petrol
    Guitars
    Long flights
    Beer
    Work boots
    Bread

  • strikerzebra on 07/07/2015 - 15:54

    Vodka

  • Chik5555 on 07/07/2015 - 18:45
    +2

    I still try to get the best price, but I will happily pay more for:

    -A fancy mobile phone. I use lots of the features, for work and entertainment. Well worth it.
    -Organic fruit and veg. I just get a box of what's in season - it's really pretty good value where I go - honestly think it would be similar to conventional fruit and veg bought from a supermarket. I also often get organic milk and dairy which is much more expensive, but I do again get a discount.
    -Gym membership - it's not exorbitant, but I could go cheaper, but I like my gym which means I go more.
    -Decent dog food. Their health is important too.
    -Good makeup. It's really better.

  • mrmarkau67 on 07/07/2015 - 20:36
    +2

    Some things feel like a luxury when you buy them, but work out cheaper in the long run, so its actually the best of both worlds:

    • Laptop
    • Shoes
    • Jeans
    • Shirts

    Some things you can't skimp on due to safety:

    • Ladder
    • Car
    • Powerboards and power supplies
    • Pharmaceuticals

    I skimp on:

    • Tools (I wouldn't if I used them every day.My laptop is my "trade tool")
    • Phones (more likely to die of sudden impact, immersion or loss than old age)
  • secondstory on 07/07/2015 - 23:07

    Toothpaste, pringles, panadol mini caps, tea, essential oils, proactive butter.. probably tonnes but generally any items of specific brands I am partial to, or gifts for family.

    • rawm on 08/07/2015 - 07:59

      Pringles? Heaps of other options out there (Coles brand, Aldi brand that are close to the standard of Pringles IMO and are 50% cheaper).
      That's the overall purpose of this thread; to determine what types of products people are likely to spend more on as well as the level of brand loyalty out there!

      • secondstory on 10/07/2015 - 00:03

        Must be pringles. Is one of the things that cannot be substituted for me. Thought the high price means that I skimp out entirely most of the time and enjoy these on a rarer occasion, as these are still quite expensive on sale.

  • auna on 08/07/2015 - 04:29

    For me it's Mobile Phone, Pillows, Desktop Computer (DIY), computer mouse and anything related to skincare. It makes 0 sense to skimp on a mobile phone, I can easily justify it if it costed $1500 and I buy one every year.

    • rawm on 08/07/2015 - 13:43

      You spend $1500 a year on a mobile phone? Wow….Samsung/Apple must love you. So many better priced alternatives out there. 'Skimping' by not paying ridiculous prices for a big ticket phone is one way you can spend more in other areas!

  • adriancfc on 08/07/2015 - 10:52
    1. Mobile Phone - It has become an extension of my hand :)
    2. Tyres - Get a set of tyres with low rolling resistance and low noise, I promise you won't go back to cheapie "yumcha" tyres (as my colleague called it :D)
    3. Bed / bed sheets / mattress / pillows - Spending 1/3 time of your life on bed, so it is a must to get the good ones.
    4. Fuel - If you love your car, do not put e10.

    The rest can be compromised (read: when the good stuffs are on sale / on OzB & have massive savings, it's time to buy).

  • retiredfeline on 08/07/2015 - 12:24
    +2

    I'm not sure there is a precise definition of skimp, but I will buy the minimum quality product that will satisfy the requirements. Having said that the requirements might be stringent, e.g.

    If I feel like a good meal, I will pay for good food
    I prefer to pay up to a couple of hundred more not to spend hours in transit lounge for a long flight. Even more so when it's precious leave. But I will also look into the possibility of a stopover.
    I won't buy substitute colas as they don't really taste the same. Ditto for tomato ketchup.
    But I will buy Aldi wheat biscuits as they are no different from Sanitarium (and in fact may even be made by them)
    Things that I use often like a tablet I will get a good one rather than be irked by limitations all the time
    I won't skimp on safety on things like tyres

  • guestgulkan on 08/07/2015 - 16:47
    +1

    Tyres - had a re-tread fail on me once.
    Winter/Snow Jackets - if you are spending time in a cold country (Canada/Finland) make sure you get a good goose down filled jacket.

    • altomic on 11/07/2015 - 23:37

      went to the snow last week and borrowed my father-in-laws $15 Rivers goose filled jacket - it kept me so warm. incredible.

  • Whomastadon on 08/07/2015 - 22:40

    Mattress, internet / PC / home theatre.

    Food!

    Mainly anything I spend a fair bit of time using or if it affects my health.

  • mad__llama on 08/07/2015 - 23:53

    Lots of people saying "good quality pet food". Y'all might want to have a quick look at this awesome piece of work from The Checkout on all the bs in pet food marketing…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOt2PpNSHlE

  • phocus on 13/07/2015 - 15:51

    Food storage containers - Snapware glass… the best

    Anything shaving related.

  • outlander on 19/07/2015 - 19:48

    Toiletries, no question. Right now thats dove for soap, shampoo and body wash. We used to use the cheaper stuff (velvet soap - and that used to be considered the gentler soap!) but I wouldn't now. Stuff like that lasts so long, and the price difference is only a few dollars, its not worth the aching scalp or skin-friction.

  • rodinthink on 18/10/2015 - 15:16

    How does Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard compared to Microsoft 4000 Ergonomic Keyboard?

    I found that 4000 quite customizable even though MS software GUI is quite abysmal

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