Advice on Finding Cheaper Variants of Basic House Stuff

phobo on 28/04/2024 - 14:41

So I've recently purchased my new house and apart from furnishing major items i find myself buying a lot of smaller simple things i never even considered.

One example would be these food containers i'm looking for https://www.kitchenwarehouse.com.au/product/oxo-good-grips-1…

Now most of the time these type of basic goods have a cheaper alternative, eg i can usually find something on aliexpress or some seller from china. Lately aliexpress/temu either don't have what i'm looking for or the pricing on there isn't really that competitive.

Does anyone have a system they typically use when they look for cheaper alternatives of basic things? Right now i'm looking at a lot of different types of containers/decor/things for kitchen / pantry / laundry / bathroom.

At present ill typically find something i like and then reverse image search to figure out what its called, search those terms in aliexpress/temu/google and then go down a rabbit hole to find something much cheaper that is basically the same. Hoping someone whos gone through something like that can give me advice on a better/faster way to do things while optimizing bang for buck. Willing to spend slightly more to save my time but i don't want to get ripped off.

General Discussion

Comments

  • Hybroid on 28/04/2024 - 14:44
    +24

    Kmart is what you want for these basic home items. Find a large store, grab a trolley and go nuts. Tons and tons of useful things pretty cheap. Over time, you can replace them with better quality or aesthetic items if you desire.

    https://www.kmart.com.au/category/home-and-living/food-stora…

    Alternatively, if not looking for super basic, IKEA is worth a stop for decent quality and decent price point items. Their kitchen range is pretty comprehensive from cookware to knick-knacks.

    https://www.ikea.com/au/en/cat/food-containers-20606/

    You can also find Asian homeware stores in homemaker centres like Dollar World that stock pretty much everything you need at even cheaper prices than online.

    • foxmulder on 28/04/2024 - 15:03
      +1

      Kmart or IKEA.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 28/04/2024 - 15:46
    +3

    Dont' buy the Kmart Flip Lock containers.

    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/500ml-flip-lock-food-contai…

    We bought dozens of them when we renovated our kitchen, for pantry food storage. They have a very high failure rate, just being used by adults. I'd estimate the failure rate at over 10%. The staff at the returns desk are on first name terms with me now.

    • payless69 on 28/04/2024 - 16:10

      You contradict yourself:
      Buy new and later no need to clean, just get free replacements.
      I once bought an Arlec brand chainsaw there. Managed to cut down 3 huge mango trees with it because they offered unlimited exchanges.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 28/04/2024 - 16:32

        You contradict yourself: Buy new and later no need to clean, just get free replacements.

        You can, if you like visiting Kmart regularly. The Flip Lock containers have a major manufacturing fault, IMO. The Flip Lock latch fractures/fails in normal use at a very high rate.

        At Kmart, we've refunded the Flip Lock and bought these instead:
        https://www.kmart.com.au/product/food-container-with-bamboo-…

        • payless69 on 28/04/2024 - 16:38
          +1

          So did the Arlec branded electric chain saws. Despite the recalls they kept selling existing stock at bargain prices. ARLEC recalled them because of possible power switch failures. Besides the 2kW electric motor kept burning out when used without breaks wit 3 arborists.
          So every Sunday we got a new saw until all the trees were cut down.
          Just fighting stupidity with the very same.

          • jacross on 29/04/2024 - 08:50
            +1

            @payless69: I am filled with extreme envy regarding the cheapness of your time. You are blessed.

            • payless69 on 29/04/2024 - 09:13

              @jacross: Gotta run to Kmart! Missus wants to snap up that $10 rice cooker!

              • skillet on 01/05/2024 - 11:05

                @payless69: And exchange for a new chainsaw which they have just runout.

    • Kail on 28/04/2024 - 18:30

      I have these, was your issue that the lid can come off when it's not supposed to? I can just pull them on/off when they're supposed to be latched.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 28/04/2024 - 22:08

        That wasn't the problem we had.
        The clear plastic latches have two small lugs that pivot on the white hook section, they were snapping off. Some of the clear plastic latches had the "leg" section break off.

        • Kail on 28/04/2024 - 23:15

          I've had mine for 2-3 years now and no issues like that, but thanks for giving me another thing to worry about with them! I'll have to be extra gentle when opening/closing them X.x

        • Grunntt on 29/04/2024 - 08:52

          The clear plastic latches have two small lugs that pivot on the white hook section, they were snapping off.

          I thought we must had bought a bad batch but but looks like it's a crap design - we bought 10 and every one of them failed within 6 weeks (all of them snapped off at the pivot point/connecting point).

  • payless69 on 28/04/2024 - 16:07
    +1

    There are 2 different Endeavour companies in OZ:

    Buy from the charity group and then have spare money to buy from the booze dealer too!

  • Benoffie on 28/04/2024 - 16:47
    +3

    Depends. If it's a quick style, Kmart. If it's something Id prefer to be long lasting, Im op shopping and that sort of thing.

    For example, I like Tupperware. But will grab Decor 1/2 off for freezing and fridge use. Tupperware I grab at places like auctions, deceased estates and surprisingly FBM from unwanted wedding gifts or retiring consultants. Same with Pyrex, Corningware etc

    General storage - I've tended to go with Ikea. More because of colours, sizes and materials rather than price.

    Pictures - Ikea seems cheap, Kmart is cheap, auctions are cheapest.

    Furniture etc. Street Bounty, Buy Nothing groups and auctions.

    Electrics - eWaste, council salvage, charities, auctions

    I mean, really, I dont look at any of those cheap websites like Aliexpress and Temu because you just shouldn't have to.

  • Ughhh on 28/04/2024 - 17:37
    +3

    Kmart and Daiso are good.

    • payless69 on 29/04/2024 - 09:12

      What is good and lasting at Daiso?

  • Kail on 28/04/2024 - 18:35

    Spotlight has a fair bit of storage and decor stuff, they often have sales.

    Markets and Op Shops are good places to find unique decor

  • 82norm on 29/04/2024 - 07:49

    Victoria’s Basement for kitchen, cutlery, utensils, pots/pans, etc. may not be cheap as aforementioned, but quality is likely to be better. Buying cheap rubbish just becomes a money waster, not to mention the unnecessary landfill over time and god knows how and what materials are used in the manufacturing process.

  • emjay2000 on 29/04/2024 - 10:26

    I have the original version of the OXO containers, and nearly 10 years later they are as good as new. In your shoes, I would seriously consider buying them. If I ever need more, I am definitely planning to buy OXO again.

    On the cheaper end, I highly rate these KMart 2.5L flat storage containers. I use them when marinating meat, storing/transporting desserts and sometimes storing leftovers. I initially bought them because they are not as tall as the Decor brand, which meant I can stack more in my fridge and freezer.
    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/25l-rectangle-dry-food-stor…

  • AS2035 on 30/04/2024 - 18:41

    oxo containers are OK

    NEVER buy anything cheap

    go for glass containers. not plastic.
    pay a bit more now, will last longer.

    • knobbs on 03/05/2024 - 09:05

      Until your wife drops a glass container once a fortnight. Might have to swap back to plastic

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