For me it's working footwear and the mattress. Especially the mattress, since the cheap stuff never lasts and you spend at least 8 hours a day sleeping anyway.
What's yours?
AskOzb: What's something that you used to be a cheaparse on, until you tried high quality and now you can't go back?
scrimshaw on 11/03/2016 - 03:16
Last edited 11/03/2016 - 03:17
Last edited 11/03/2016 - 03:17
Comments
Drill bits especially. The cheap crap will rub endlessly on metal and masonry where good bits cut/smash right through.
can you please explain further? which tools in particular? screw drivers and other general household tools or…?
socket sets, vise grips, pliers, trolley jacks…. tbh almost everything…
for basic diy/house maintenance type activity you wouldn't notice much difference.
however if you're working on a car it's night and day when you have the right tooling
This guy speaks the truth. Still using Aussie made sidchromes (before they were bought out and outsourced to Taiwan) that my grandfather gave me, as well as a warren brown torque wrench. Cheap tools are the worst!
Rekn the warren brown was better than the snap-ons I've tried.
mattress too but for different reason,
And bed frame too right?
I don't think he has one, too much "banging" noise for his "purposes"
Kitchen knives
I'm still happy with my daiso kitchen knives.
Victoranox, good priced and quality.
I have both pricey fancy kitchen knives and cheap restaurant supply knives… With good maintenance, I like both equally well. :)
A $500 knife unmaintained will cut like a $2 one.
A $2 knife maintained will cut like a $500 one.
There's nearly no point going all out on kitchen knives.Not really. Better ergonomics and balance, and good steel holds that edge much longer.
My knife needs to be sharpened too often for my liking (it's a cheap one from Woolies).
I kinda enjoy sharpening the knife, but I think I'd want to try slightly expensive one for that reason.
I am thinking of getting something like $100 one that uses decent steel for a change for that.Maybe not a $2 knife maintained, more likely a $20 knife maintained will cut like a $500 one.
But a $500 knife unmaintained will definitely cut like a $2 one.
Yep $20 seems to be the sweet spot - although I purchase another one of the same brand and it wasn't as good? Quality control isn't as strong I guess.
I bought the $7 asian kitchen knife.. just keep sharpening ever 2-3 weeks and cuts like a dream
had it for 4 years now, going strong.. I think the brand is KiwiI've used a Kiwi cleaver for about 2 years. Quite decent, stays reasonably sharp for a while after being sharpened too.
@IanK: I'm not a fan of their cleavers, they don't have any weight behind them - makes them dangerous.
@Relapse: Mmmm.. I think they do have two types of cleavers - a heavier one for hacking through bone, and a lighter one for more delicate work.
What brand of cleaver would you recommend? :) I'm interested in getting a heavy one for bone cleaving reasons :D
I work in kitchen industry for 4 years and I spend nearly 90% cutting vegetables using $8 Kiwi Brand. It does the job outstandingly but should be maintained really well.
Oh i just saw this post hahah yup they rock!
I still use a heavily serrated steak knife i bought for $1 about 15 years ago, still cuts as good as the day i bought it, people are surprised how fast i can cut with it too, will be a sad day if it ever breaks/dulls.
It's still sharp enough to cut wood like a (saw) boss! ^_^
Pots and pans.
I have the exact opposite opinion with pots and pans…
With non stick, I've found the expensive ones last just as long as the $20 ones!! Which isn't very long at all. (Although you can just keep using them at a reduced level of performance. I chuckle at seeing pots and pans that have pretty much worn off their non stick properties and yet the owners just keep using them because they were freakishly expensive to buy) Truth is the matter is, if the cooking technique is sound, majority of foods will not stick anyway even to plain pans.
With the stainless steel ones, they both last forever!! I have both 5 decade old expensive and cheap stuff. Of course the cheap stuff was good quality no brand stuff.. Basically you've got to know what you're buying.
Yep, all the $100-$200 non-stick you-can-totally-use-metal-utensils-we-promise pans scratch up and die as much as the $5 pans.
My mother told me about how number of ply or layers of metal on stockpots help with food sticking to the bottom, because it apparently distributes heat more evenly (and they do add to the price fairly quickly). I am not sure how much of that is true, that said, I did find that crappy stockpot I've gotten second hand (which I think is just one single layer) is far far worse than slightly pricier one I've gotten in terms of food sticking to the bottom when I am making stew.
Not too sure how much of that is a placebo, that said, I think it's very plausible and I am probably going to invest a bit more to get something that has more layers.
Even heat is a wonderful thing. And yes, the number of layers can contribute to this. All I meant with my comment was that price is not the end all and be all of indicating good cookware.
There are crappy ones, definitely and I'm not talking about those. I'm talking about the kind of stuff you can purchase at a restaurant suppliers that don't have big names or celebrity endorsers and don't cost hundreds of dollars. The good quality ones will work just as well and last just as long.
@tebbybabes: True that. I guess I had slightly different ideas on what constitutes an expensive one (to me $100 is a fair bit of investment since most stockpots with 3 ply are like $100, I find them to be expensive).
What you are saying sounds completely legitimate. All the good ones with good performance/$ spent, from what I seen, were about what material was used, where it was made, etc not who endorsed it etc.
I believe pots and pans are some of those items that require a certain amount of user maintenance and care to be able to continue to do their job as advertised.
If you're going to abuse them, continuously use metal objects with them etc, like anything they will eventually wear down.
Tip:
Try sleeping 8 hours a night instead of during the day, it will change your life. lol
Should change the title to Pro tip
Agree with the above posters that say footwear and cookware. Mattress goes without saying, you only have to sleep on a dodgy one when on holidays to appreciate.
But other stuff:
- Makeup (and skincare) - a downgrade is noticeable for me due to certain skin conditions
- Blu Ray to DVD - DVD's seem so fuzzy once you get used to Blu Ray
- Headphones - once you upgrade you will unlikely ever go backwards again
I'm of the opinion that you are better to buy quality once, even if it's secondhand, which can save you a small fortune. Cheap stuff is usually cheap for a reason. Not only is it better for your wallet in the long term, you produce less waste. Higher quality purchases are also better for resale should you no longer require an item and that way someone else can enjoy it rather than it being put in the bin.
+1 for less waste. I hate buying stuff that I know will be headed for landfil in the short term.
Like cheap printers
and Blu Rays
Was waiting for someone to say headphones. Get good headphones guys - no need to go all audiophile but good headphones that are comfy are the best thing ever
I bought a ~$300 IKEA one… BEST SLEEP EVER… then it/I just normalised.
Given a $500 mattress topper… BEST SLEEP EVER… then it/I just normalised.
Then bought a $1000+ mattress… BEST SLEEP EVER… then it/I just normalised.Guests say they're awesome… I don't know anymore. I just sleep.
That's the problem isn't it, you can get used to just about anything, you could probably go back to that old ikea matress and get used to it again too!
Agreed. I really do wonder how much we're surrounding ourselves with pillows (pardon the pun) in the 1st world.
Anyone who's been to other parts of the world will know how happy people can be, living with 1% of the creature comforts we have. We're told everyday how much more we need.
And things we don't, but they're invented & sold, anyway.
The body can be amazing, how resilient it is. I often surprise myself how sore etc I get, the slower I get (ie: holidays). Keep moving, and keep healthy. A lot of the rest is "F.U.D.".
Needs <—-> Massive Grey Area <—-> Wants
I find with mattresses/beds its always good to alternate… the constant rotation and working for your sleep makes it easier and better. But to each their own.
Yep, had a $200 Ikea one, got back pains eventually.
Got a $2000 ensemble thing, got back pains eventually.
Mattresses are overpriced.
I dunno man, I bought a $2k mattress from ozmatress, every night I feel like it's the best money I ever spent.
Never gets old.
In my case it is Kitchen Appliances. Went through a number of Food Processors until I bought a Magimix and a number of blenders before I bought a Vitamix. I buy the quality because they are more enjoyable to use and because of the environmental cost of throwing away the broken cheap ones and getting new ones. However, I do wait until quality is on discount.
I agree with the sentiments of others here, mattresses, head phones, cook wear, skin care. Anything you use often and expect to work well.
True, especially with major appliances cos they're a pain to replace. I first bought a basic Electrolux washing machine and within a few months it needed fixing twice and the second time the whole belt broke. They eventually replaced it with a new one but I sold it on eBay and bought a new Miele instead and my Miele is now over 10 years old, it's still going strong (4-6 loads a week) and never missed a bit.
+1 on the Miele, most of our major appliances are Miele. Our original Miele washer lasted to 13 years old then it wouldn't stop spinning; the guy who brought the replacement (Miele) was going to fix it and onsell it. (If just wasn't worth our while fixing it with the cost of repairs). We replaced the dishwasher after 20 years because it was getting a little noisy, but still working, with another Miele. The appliances aren't cheap but they work well and seem to last well and they are relatively quiet.
I find with washing machine fisher & paykel are almost bulletproof.
So happy with my Miele dishwasher, the other one was complete garbage by comparison
Footwear: Got a pair of Loake 1880's, they've already paid for themselves with how long they've lasted.
Jeans: Usually go Nudies. They last me years and I wear them hard. And when they do wear through, take them to the Nudie store and they repair them free of charge.
Toilet paper / tissues: Ever tried rubbing sandpaper on your skin? Yeah, spend the extra!
Skin products / hair products: People judge you by your face multiple times a day, we only get one face (unless you're Nick Cage) so make it count. I don't go for stupid brands that claim to have things like dragon blood, but a decent skincare brand from a Myer or DJs makes a big difference. Also, it's not exactly pricey, but once you go Dove soap you'll never go back.
Meat: Get a steak from Coles, get a steak from a good butcher. Eat both. Realise why you'll never buy meat from Coles again. Costs a bit more but so incredibly worth it.
Agreed re skin and haircare. Why people scrimp on skincare ie beyond me. The price difference is not even that great between horrifically bad and average brands.
Haircare is SO expensive though. Aveda is killing me.
Mine
- skincare
- haircare
- sport shoes
- clothingWhat type of skincare? I heard some people said Sorbolene is better than some expensive moisturizer….?
Body lotion I use Sorbolene.
Facial creams - I use the best for my skin.
DJ seems to sell Nudie jeans for 130 bucks are they worth it - also do the official stores have deals on them?
Might give it a go as have always stuck to cheap Big W ones or occasionally Levis.I've tried a bunch of different jeans - from the cheaper ones (Just Jeans, Jeans West) to the proper denim brands (Nudies, APC, Edwin) and for me the expensive brands totally pay for themselves. Still have my first pair of raw Nudies from 7 odd years ago and (except for being a bit out of style now) they're still going strong.
I wear them hard (if I'm not in a suit, I'm in jeans) and I usually have one "go to" pair which I'll use for going out, or working in the yard. That kind of wear would destroy cheap jeans. It just adds character to the better brands.
I'll pay up to $250 for the right pair of jeans (but I only buy them every few years). If you can pick up Nudies on sale at DJ's for the $130-ish mark, in my opinion that's awesome value.
Just do your research to make sure you're getting the right size/fit. Jeans grow on you to fit like a second skin, and some Nudies are raw denim which will mean they'll leave dye everywhere for a while. So do a bit of reading and choose carefully and you'll be rewarded with jeans that last you years no matter what you throw at them.
Thanks might grab one
agreed. my $230 nudie jeans from 5 years ago going strong.
Had no idea they could last that long, cheers!
Will look into a pair; mine always wear out on the inner thighs because of my fat legs.
agree
nudies are the best
Hookers
Why? just close your eyes and enjoy the ride š
Just dont look at the mantle piece whilst you're stoking the fire!
I will try.
Shoes. Buy good shoes. They feel better, they look better, and you'll enjoy a certain smug superiority as you look at everyone else's plastic-coated rubbish that define the phrase 'cheap & nasty'.
can you elaborate on good shoes please ? what is the brand ? :) I'm in the market for one. My Jeff Bank didn't even last me 1 year.
Rockports and Doc Martens have stellar reputation.
+1 for Rockports
Rockports are generally the only brand I buy, and they aren't that expensive really. Bought some Ted Baker ones at Myer because that's what was on sale a while ago. Regretting the decision now. Nowhere near as comfortable, and the leather doesn't seem to be as good quality either.
Asics ;)
I was talking about dress shoes rather than casual shoes or running shoes.
So I recommend doing some research about goodyear-welted calf leather shoes. You'll find that shoes made with this manufacturing method and this type of leather represent lasting value.
There are lots of brands, but the most well-known are Loake, Church's, Cheaney, Crockett & Jones (UK), Alden, Allen Edmonds (USA) and there's plenty of others.
Now, here's the most important thing - fit is everything! You must make sure your shoes fit! Obvious, right? But I mention this because so many people see the cheaper prices from retailers overseas, they order online and when they find the the shoes don't fit, it costs an arm and a leg to return them, negating any price advantage and just causing massive amounts of frustration (yep, my story). So, to avoid this, buy local. Yes, it will cost a bit more, but you will avoid making mistakes about the fit. And fit is everything.
So, if you're in Sydney, you can find Loake and Church's at DJ's (although, I have to say, not necessarily the best models from these brands), Loake at Enrico Santi in Pitt St, Herringbone have C&J I believe (and they occasionally go on sale - very good value when they do), and if you've just won lotto, Double Monk in the Strand Arcade (it's a wonderful shop, but not very Ozbargain-y).
Now, before I go, I'll mention one more thing. You'll find that the kind of shoes I've mentioned are significantly more expensive than Jeff Banks. You won't get much change from $500. But consider this - if you buy 2 pairs of good quality shoes (you need to rotate), and look after them, they'll last you 10+ years. Compare that with Jeff Banks. And, as I initially said, they feel better, they look better and you'll enjoy wearing them.
Good luck!
Since you mentioned dress shoes: Lloyd. German made. Enough said.
@theStinge: All the Lloyds I've seen (and I've owned a pair) have been corrected grain leather with glued soles. This puts them in a different (lower) class from the others I mentioned. Definitely not as good.
+1
And 10 years is conservative. This advice probably applies more to men rather than women though.
@lurkernomore: Also, just found out that the pair I've been using for about a year are not German made after all. :(
@theStinge: You're in luck - Herringbone are having a sale right now, and I believe it includes their Crockett & Jones shoes. Excellent value!
RM Williams boots. Expensive but last you a lifetime!
Even a pair of florsheims on special lasted me 4 years. fantastic derbys
@I like bacon: Unfortunately my Flofsheims only lasted me a couple of years. Never went back to them again! That was back in 2001… perhaps they've improved since. Whereas the RMs I got over a year ago are still looking fairly new, even after daily use.
@dtc: I'm assuming you're asking about the Florsheims because the RMs cost a lot more! From memory it was around $200 and was made of the more shiny leather. I bought it direct from a physical Florsheim store. Don't forget it was a product purchased about 15 years ago. They may have had a bad batch or have perhaps improved on their production techniques since.
Unfortunately for them, the experience left a sour taste in my mouth with regards to buying their product again. I also stopped spending more when it came to shoes. It took me over a decade of buying cheap shoes until I came round again.
My Jeff bank is on its 6th year now, emailed them that I want the exact same model and size but they do not make them anymore, I am still wearing them and they overlived many pairs come and gone!
Impressive, I bought some about 5 months ago, I doubt they'll make it past 1 year of use.
My checkered slip-on Vans were new in 2005 and they're still going strong. Same with my Converse low tops.
Loakes. Order them from Europe as they are a rip here.
I'm mainly office based, but I occasionally need steel capped footwear for OH&S purposes. I get a nice pair of boots ~$120-150 and I wear them for everything. Usually get 2 years out of them, and if you keep up the boot polish they look great in business pants.
Colorado's used to be my favorite until the quality went down. Currently in a set of Oliver boots, they aren't bad however the soles have cracked after 12 months (not impressed). My favorite boots have been Mongrels, although they look more 'bootish' when worn with business pants.
My next purchase will be another set of Mongrel's at around $140, last pair I owned almost made 3 years before the soles started coming apart:
http://www.mongrelboots.com.au/img/boots/sp-z/sp-z-251020.jpā¦I'm a bit passionate about my boots :)
EDIT - sticking with the theme, before than I used to get crappy target dress shoes that I'd wear out in 6 months and they don't polish up right because of the crappy 'genuine look' leather.
Asics, Mephisto, Ecco,crockett and jones, RM Williams and Loakes to name a few good brands
Toilet paper
Quilton and only Quilton.
Based on one user review? Are you serious?
The complaints are almost all about bullying and trolling. To be fair I have to reluctantly agree. This site is definitely NOT a 5. I put up with that because there are some genuine bargains but you have to dig. The rest of the complaints are about having deals disallowed etc. based on incorrect information. I don't have enough information to judge them. Some reps really lay it on thick and sales people aren't reputed for being the most honest bunch. So perhaps I'd rate OzB a 3.5 or 4. So 3 is a little harsh but only a little.
Why> Do you constantly have the Sh!ts?
Ah its Scrimshaw, so its got to be an iphone…. :) š
headphones. once go bluetooth cant go back to wired
Unless you want decent audio quality…
What. Bluetooth is so far behind wired in quality. You sacrifice so much for a little amount utility, unless you have some particular need for movement.
Personally I use my Bluetooth when doing stenuous exercise where the wire would be burdensome so that's fair.
Do you recommend any?
some tools. cheap one don't last and takes at least twice as hard and long to do the job.