What Purchases Do You Never Skimp out on?

Kewok on 08/01/2016 - 01:41
Last edited 08/01/2016 - 11:06

We all love a bargain.
However, there are certain purchases in life that we must never skimp out on.

Here are my 2 personal favourites:

(1) Car tyres: It was time to replace the old tyres of my first car. Little did I know at the time, I opted for the cheapest I could get. Oh boy.. The regret. Ended up skidding on wet road causing a car accident that (really) could've easily been avoided.

(2) Low end PC PSU: Shortly after purchase, it began to play up, after having it turn itself on and off, it corrupted all my hard drives 😑.

What are some of your purchases that you will always abide by quality>alternative-bargains? Would love to hear all your stories & experiences.

General Discussion

Comments

  • Findo on 08/01/2016 - 01:47
    +54

    Petrol. I don't trust dodgy servos.

    • Dennis3003 on 08/01/2016 - 04:01
      -1

      THIS. Especially older ones, that don't clean their storage tanks.

    • inherentchoice on 08/01/2016 - 08:56
      +13

      I trust independent servos but I avoid E10 fuel. For 2 cents more I get the 91 ULP fuel and I find it takes me 10% further.

      • supersabroso on 09/01/2016 - 20:38
        +1

        I read that standard 91 has 3% more energy than E10. Thus, I only go for the standard if it's cheaper than a 3% difference which it rarely is in Sydney.

        • WhatWouldBiggieDo on 09/01/2016 - 22:59

          This. I am a cheapskate with most of the things in my life. Except cars. I like nice cars, I buy quality mods for them, the finest oils, best waxes/detailing products, expensive tyres, top insurance etc etc. My car is my only indulgence

        • Hellman109 on 10/01/2016 - 23:22
          +1

          The Chaser did a segment on this and basically said that 91 is better value for money in basically every car.

        • sareth on 12/01/2016 - 21:33

          @Hellman109:
          Except turbocharged cars that require 95 (but not 98), since E10 is 95 octane.

        • tanksinatra on 12/01/2016 - 21:40

          @seanmurphy1994:
          Not necessarily. At some servos its 95 but I've also seen 91, 93 and 94 octane e10. It depends on how it's blended.

      • Chas k on 17/01/2016 - 15:37

        Yep watch out for E10 my old man has been using it for a couple of months now in his 2012 Mazda 3 check engine light keeps coming on (he loves anything that is cheap) Took it to his mechanic he reset it and it is back on. Probably fouled up the O2 sensor.

        Don't use cheap ass PSUs for pcs it will end in tears. Type in Jonny guru in Google to get good psu reviews.

    • Diji1 on 08/01/2016 - 09:53
      +5

      Christ, where do you go then, they're all untrustworthy.

    • Janko on 10/01/2016 - 12:36

      I recently put 9.75 litres into a fuel container (according to the markings on the container). Pump said 11.3 litres. Asked manager to verify, he used a 10L cone shaped checking container and pump said 10.00 litres - spot on. Still not convinced fuel container could be that far out on its markings - waiting to use up the petrol so I can check it accurately.

      • JimmyF on 10/01/2016 - 14:25
        +3

        plastic expands….. and those 'markings' should be taken with a grain of salt.

      • lukeloop on 12/01/2016 - 23:05

        I did a thing on this.. minimum flow rate of 15 litres per minute and mimimum sample size needs to be 15 litres.

    • aussieprepper on 10/01/2016 - 17:18
      +1

      don't trust any e10!

      • zerocents on 11/01/2016 - 06:57

        why?

        • twister292 on 29/01/2016 - 12:43
          +1

          Because most cars run like crap on it…and for the price difference, the loss in fuel economy makes it poor value for money compared to standard 91, or even 95.

          My car (Aurion) is tuned to run fine on E10 according to the label on the filler cap…but where on 95 it tends to be buttery smooth, and can put through vicious amounts of acceleration on a dry road in a straight line when given a prod, on E10 it tends to hesitate a bit if that's the word to use…

          Plus the fact that on 55L of E10 it ran 465km before the fuel warning came up. 55L of 91RON gave me 510km, and 55L of 95RON normally gives me around 540-550km for the same mix of suburban and freeway driving.

  • ChillBro on 08/01/2016 - 02:00
    +26

    Toilet paper would be my number one.

    • Nugs on 08/01/2016 - 06:25
      +107

      or "number two"

      • rodinthink on 10/01/2016 - 17:20
        -2

        Haha (with joey pretentious peer pressure laugh).

        Joey: when people do this "" i dont really know what it mean. Im "sorry"

    • c64 on 08/01/2016 - 10:29
      +14

      you are still living in the dark ages, you need to be introduced to the wonderful world of bidets

      • scrimshaw on 08/01/2016 - 11:53
        +1

        Bidets are good, but you still need to wipe afterwards.

        • Banana on 08/01/2016 - 19:10
          +1

          Some of them air dry your bum for you :)

        • c64 on 09/01/2016 - 08:09
          +4

          or use a towel. do you use toilet paper to dry yourself after a shower?

        • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2016 - 15:59
          +3

          @mtg:

          Do you use a bath towel? or do you have a special bum towel for yourself? Will you have a seperate one for guests too, or will we all be sharing yours?

        • c64 on 11/01/2016 - 12:10

          @JohnKG:

          free fecal transplant!

          dunno, what happens when guests want a shower?

      • JayM on 09/01/2016 - 22:15

        This place is having a special on them. Very tempted.
        http://www.thebidetshop.com.au/categories/Bidet-Product-Rang…

        • Janko on 10/01/2016 - 12:38
          +1

          Had one in an apartment in Japan. Was awesome.

        • snapper on 11/01/2016 - 11:42

          they even sell a "travel" bidet?!

        • Kenb0 on 11/01/2016 - 16:47

          Costco Docklands has the Prestige BB-800 model on sale for $699. Has all the main features. I bought mine from the US a few years ago, and hate going out to public toilets now :)

        • JayM on 11/01/2016 - 18:47

          @Kenb0:

          If I had the throw-away money i'd get one for sure. What tradie did you get to install it?

        • Kenb0 on 12/01/2016 - 11:12

          @JayM:

          Don't need a tradie to install it, piece of piss. The one I got from the US(when our dollar was worth a damn) had everything required, so I'm assuming that the Costco one, which is marketed for our market, will as well. Pretty easy to install, my mate got the same one and he installed his in about 15 minutes.

          1) Unscrew/detach old toilet seat
          2) Attach bidet seat
          3) Turn off toilet water supply at the tap, undo the nut/whatever that attaches the hose going to the toilet, insert the t-junction at the tap, and then connect both the hose that goes to the toilet back, and also the the hose that goes to bidet.
          4) Plug in the plug from bidet to nearest power point.
          5) You're done, sit down on nice heated seat for pure bliss :P

      • rodinthink on 10/01/2016 - 17:27

        Or this. 99.99 % guaranteed. Optional : use garden/fire hose

      • Davros on 11/01/2016 - 07:04
        +2

        I love my Bum Gun.
        I felt so dirty yesterday when I was out and forced to use a Western Style (Non-Bum Gun) toilet and smear sh1t around for several minutes until cleanish.
        When will people become civilised in this country

        • c64 on 11/01/2016 - 12:14

          yeah, i cycle and residual poo + sweat makes for a squishy mess. i always wash my nether regions in the shower whenever possible after a number two. a dedicated hand gun also sounds great.

      • pegasusx on 11/01/2016 - 11:42

        Bidets are the best thing ever. Got one from Japan that has heated seats. Various level of pressure, sensors to see where your * is to spray in the right place. Has different patterns of spray too. Air dry function. And makes courtesy noises, jungle animals, subway train track noises. etc if you need it.

        • scrimshaw on 11/01/2016 - 12:40

          I should upgrade my bidet then… Mine is 30 from eBay and has two functions.. Bum cleaning and nozzle cleaning.

        • pegasusx on 11/01/2016 - 13:25

          @scrimshaw:

          Mate this one was great. TOTO brand but bought from Taiwan. There are features you really DONT want! There was an attachment for Turbo (enema) Wash cause its heated water..never will ever use. ever..

        • Banana on 13/01/2016 - 07:18

          My parents really want one, did you buy it online or? How much was it?

        • pegasusx on 13/01/2016 - 09:09

          No. I got it in Taiwan at a shop. was about $NT20000 3 years ago.

          @Banana:

      • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2016 - 13:17

        use water gun…

        The bigger the cleaner…

      • lsdbeta on 11/01/2016 - 22:48
        +3

        You're still using bidets?

        And you say somebody else is living in the dark ages?

        Do I need to school you on the three seashells?

      • KevinFine on 13/01/2016 - 12:15

        Nooit Bru !

    • supnigs super skids on 09/01/2016 - 15:59
      +2

      What ever happened with a bottle of water and your left hand? First world problems…

      • scrimshaw on 10/01/2016 - 01:50

        Bottle of water? Mate, that's drinking water, you can't be wasting that on your bum. first world problems.. use a leaf!

        • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2016 - 13:18

          In Sumatra, where they can't find toilet on the road, they use shovel.

          Watch your step!

        • scrimshaw on 11/01/2016 - 16:07

          @fm:

          NSFW video
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixJgY2VSct0

          Once you watch this, you might want to give your porcelain throne a nice big grateful hug, for all the good times and hygiene it's given you.

  • BlazinPast on 08/01/2016 - 02:42
    +4

    I've been fine with several cheap PSUs. Not the completely unknown brands but the cheapest Corsair $40-$50 PSU.

    • JV159 on 09/01/2016 - 10:10
      +2

      i think you can trust the big names even with low-end stuff.
      OP might be talking about the cheap no name ones you can buy from eBay, can't trust those lol!

      • Tech5 on 09/01/2016 - 12:32
        +3

        Can't trust low end big name brands either. The voltage regulation is shocking lol. If you have expensive components, it'll reduce the lifespan of them alot.

    • Yuri Lowell on 09/01/2016 - 15:11

      This was something I was happy to drop $200 on. It powers your entire PC and they can last 5-10 years if you buy a quality brand, not something that's worth skimping on.

    • IamEzza on 11/01/2016 - 13:11

      Even the cheapest Corsair units aren't actually that bad, it's the cheap Chinese non brand name stuff you have to be careful of.
      This is why a base level 350W Corsair PSU costs more than a "975W" Shaw PSU at MSY

    • menvert on 11/01/2016 - 19:38

      Not so sure myself, expensive isn't a fool-proof indicator.
      The most expensive PSU I have owned (Antec Neo 500w @ $150) is the only PSU I had fail, other cheaper ones have lasted far better, though I steer away from the generic ones that state 30%-100% more watts than the price suggests still, and my Father has had some of those generic cheap stuff for years no worries (admittedly not for gaming like me)

  • Settero on 08/01/2016 - 02:51
    +47

    condoms.

    no seriously i never cheap out on anything , i use this site to score the best of stuff at the lowest of prices.

    • Donaldhump on 09/01/2016 - 19:02

      spot on

    • cnrmlj on 10/01/2016 - 15:47
      +2

      Absolutely. Hate paying a cent more than i have to but hate stuff that is poorly made. A bargain on something poorly made is not a bargain.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2016 - 15:56

      So you skimp out on carefully choosing a clean partner!

      • Settero on 10/01/2016 - 20:14

        well , std tests are awkward to request, but doable i guess, the whole prove you are on the pill thing is kinda hard.

      • SupeNintendoChalmers on 11/01/2016 - 12:01
        +1

        oh come on!

  • try2bhelpful on 08/01/2016 - 08:02
    +12

    Kitchenware - I never buy cheap quality knives, saucepans, appliances etc. I get good quality stuff that is on sale. A lot of the stuff I use in my kitchen is 10-20 years old and is still going well and is a pleasure to use.

  • SirFlibbled on 08/01/2016 - 08:51
    +31

    Beds. Always spend good money on a good bed. You spend 1/3 of your life on it.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2016 - 13:21

      King Koil or Sealy? The Forty Winks Salesperson said that Sealy is overpriced.
      But I think Sealy is like BMW vs Toyota, not just a matter of how many features.

      • SirFlibbled on 11/01/2016 - 14:06

        I don't think it matters. What matters is what's comfortable for you.

        That being said, I have a Queen King Koil I bought a year ago for $2500 (it would have been a King but we couldn't fit it up the stairs of my townhouse).

  • modsec802 on 08/01/2016 - 08:52
    +57

    Parachutes: I find the cheap ones from DealExtreme often just won't open

    • negger on 08/01/2016 - 09:18
      +6

      Interesting that you are still alive

      • gimli on 12/01/2016 - 11:11
        +1

        There's no evidence parachutes save lives

    • D6C1 on 09/01/2016 - 13:49
      +3

      That would be an adventure ONCE in a lifetime!

  • stevednj48 on 08/01/2016 - 08:54
    +5

    Bed linen

  • lupiter on 08/01/2016 - 09:30
    +15

    Things where paying a little more makes a big difference:

    • Shoes
    • Sewing machine needles & thread
    • Cuts of lamb

    Things I expect to last for years:

    • Bed
    • Couch
    • Fridge
    • Kitchen pans

    Things I use every day:

    • Phone
    • Internet
    • inherentchoice on 08/01/2016 - 17:17
      +3

      I cheap out on phone and Internet and save heaps of money without compromising service.

      I bought a second hand futon for $10 which has lasted years and is still going strong.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2016 - 15:39

        without compromising service.

        I am guessing you're not with Vaya? Perhaps the best value, but their customer 'service'… They have bad customer service on a whole new level, like North Korea's human rights record. Level -1

        • junior_thrift on 09/01/2016 - 18:14
          +6

          If you need customer and service and you're with Vaya, you're with the wrong company. I've been with them for years, never needed to contact them…

        • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2016 - 19:15
          +2

          @junior_thrift:

          Sounds like you haven't had the full Vaya experience, yet. You're a lucky one - myself, my brother and a mate has suffered at their hands.

          Sooner or later, you will have to call them up, wait in queue for like 30 minutes, talk to a useless 'human' (because they are literally like reading off a script).

          This is because on the first day of the month when your billing cycle restarts, somehow you have used up all your data. They finally acknowledge that this is an error, but can they rectify it? Of course they can! Vaya service! Will take a month though…

          …So you wait for a month. Has it been rectified? No. Should you call? OK… 30 minutes wait… "Yes? … No hangs up" wtf? Did they just hang up on me? Did they just introduce themselves like that? Call them up again, or just F it?

          etc. Never again. I'm with Amaysim now, and they are a league above Vaya when it comes to customer service. They actually do the service part.

      • lupiter on 11/01/2016 - 08:17

        I'm not saying I'm accepting the sticker Telstra price, I'm saying I pay up because I want the best speed & a cap I don't have to worry about. I used to pay 2x the ADSL 2 price in order to get VDSL, and lots of people would say that was buying the fancy option. Now I have NBN which is a lot cheaper and faster. I shopped around to get what I thought was a good deal on what I already wanted.

        Same with mobile, I happen to be with Virgin because when I was looking to change providers they provided the cheapest price at the time on what I already use without a lock-in contract. I'm not willing to say "just use less data" and take a cheaper plan, and I'm not willing to stick with anyone who has provided (me with) bad service in the past (looking at you TPG, Exetel).

        When I was younger (ugh, can't believe I'm saying that) I used to be able to sleep on a blanket on a wood floor and not have problems… these days I wouldn't be keen on your futon (unless it's a real Japanese futon, in which case okay if you have the tatami bed base). Since what I sleep on is an important part of my physical and mental health, I've paid for a quality mattress and look after it. I probably didn't get a great deal on it, but the lesson there is don't shop tired and grumpy… bit of a chicken and egg problem :)

      • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2016 - 14:08

        futon? like a sofa bed?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2016 - 13:22

      Add microwave to that mate.

      If Microwave or fridge is broken for a week. It's a hard life… Especially fridge.

      • lupiter on 12/01/2016 - 08:12

        Eh, I could live without a microwave if I have a stove (makes rice harder though), I'd miss my oven more than my microwave.

        • [Deactivated] on 12/01/2016 - 09:07

          Yeah I don't cook, that's why…
          Also washing machine is important.

  • ESEMCE on 08/01/2016 - 09:30
    +16

    Shoes. No point walking around with sore feet cause you saved $50 buying the cheap, but uncomfortable pair.

    • SuperC on 08/01/2016 - 10:36
      +5

      My thoughts exactly, especially if they are shoes you were 5 days a week.

      • Lukian on 08/01/2016 - 12:13
        +3

        No casual Friday?

        • SuperC on 08/01/2016 - 13:42

          Where i was previously, no. Where I am now yes. So added another pair of shoes. The only shoes I skimped on are the ones i mow the lawn in.

    • inherentchoice on 08/01/2016 - 17:18

      But my $25 work shoes are very comfortable and do last years.

      • ESEMCE on 08/01/2016 - 17:29

        Fantastic!
        I just buy on comfort and looks, price doesn't really matter (although I don't even try on shoes if they're over $150)

        • cwongtech on 12/01/2016 - 20:20

          price doesn't really matter

          Oh

          (although I don't even try on shoes if they're over $150)

          Wot?

      • Skinnerr on 09/01/2016 - 22:03

        Shoes is obviously a broad term since there are so many types for so many different applications. But i found the shoes I spent a bit more on lasted me longer than the cheaper ones and I tried many different types. Leather upper for work shoes I found once they break in are the most comfortable and easily last the longest.

        • endotherm on 10/01/2016 - 17:18

          The best pair of shoes I ever wore were the most expensive by far but lasted me the least longest unfortunately. They were sooooo comfortable I didn't want to take them off. Cost a fortune to have them re-soled but they were never the same afterwards.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2016 - 15:40
      +1

      Which is why i got hush puppies this time.

      My knees will thank me.

      • duchy on 09/01/2016 - 18:08
        +9

        Hush Puppies are so comfortable. But so very much ugly. :(

        • freakatronic on 10/01/2016 - 13:41
          +1

          So, so ugly.

        • RADICALIST on 10/01/2016 - 22:07

          My hush puppy sole has disintegrated after a year use, 4 days a week. Is this normal?

        • boomramada on 11/01/2016 - 09:25

          @zomg:
          Everyday shoes usually last for about year.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2016 - 13:23

          @boomramada: Just replace the sole…

        • Twocupteabag on 12/01/2016 - 20:38

          @zomg: yep

    • Skinnerr on 09/01/2016 - 22:05

      I go that bit further and get these they make the world of difference if you work on your feet long hours. The ones colesworth sell are complete garbage, and i figured if I was gonna drop money on decent ones id turn to amazon which has rarely let me down. I was lucky enough to get a few pairs when the dollar was on parity with the USD and one pair has lasted me 2 years and going. They have started to fray though.

    • deek on 10/01/2016 - 21:23
      +1

      I once went on a 6 day hike with a pair of fairly cheap hiking boots I'd recently purchased.

      By the end of the hike, I had blisters upon blisters on my feet, and basically cleaned out the first aid kit of bandaids. Never again! After that, I went and bought an expensive pair that fit so well and were so comfortable, hiking in them was a dream.

      • CryssieJade on 11/01/2016 - 08:56

        May I ask what you bought? I'm a long distance hiker, and definitely in the market for new boots….ohhhh, my poor bandaid supply lol

        • deek on 11/01/2016 - 11:25
          +1

          The brand was Aku. Nice, light, extremely comfortable, waterproof (to the top of the boot; webbed tongue), and breatheable (Goretex lined). And pricey! But I decided that my feet were worth it.

        • CryssieJade on 11/01/2016 - 18:23

          @deek:

          Yup, that's something I won't be skimping on anymore. I'll look into those, cheers :)

      • pococse on 11/01/2016 - 10:51

        Had you worn the boots in? I find the cheaper hiking boots take quite a long time to wear in.

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