Buy It for Life, Buy It Once Cry Once 2025 Edition

Kiwiboy86 on 10/03/2025 - 14:07
Last edited 10/03/2025 - 14:28 by 1 other user

Hello fellow OzBargainers,

What products do we think are well worth the money and/or fit the 'buy once cry once' category in 2025.

The reason I specify 2025, is some products just aren't made with the quality and care they once had a reputation for. I'm aware there's a prospective guestimate element for products bought today that are still to be battle-tested.

For my buy it once cry once, the list would include:

  • Leatherman multitools
  • Cast iron pan
  • Wusthof knives
  • RM Williams Boots (tbf I bought mine 10 years ago before any of the recent QC failures)
  • Solid hardwood bedframe

For my well-worth-the-money to quality of life/enjoyment improvement ratio, would be:

  • Roborock vacuum with LIDAR
  • DF64 Coffee Grinder
  • ULA Dragonfly Ultra Backpack (I do a lot of backpacking/travel)
  • Universal travel adaptor with USB ports
  • Uniqlo Ultralight Down Jacket

Future purchases I'm considering:

  • Weber Q BBQ
  • Sit/Stand Desk
  • Tools for DIY around the house (need suggestions)

What are your thoughts/suggestions/experiences.

Home & Garden

Comments

    • dogboy on 14/03/2025 - 15:37

      I got one of these over 10 years ago. The damn thing still looks like new after 2 dogs and a kid have been on it almost every day.

  • upsidedownlemon on 12/03/2025 - 17:56

    House insulation
    Plants (specific genetics)

    • tenpercent on 14/03/2025 - 20:26

      Which plants?

      • upsidedownlemon on 15/03/2025 - 08:35

        Blueberries, and most other types of berries :)

  • Erasmuz on 12/03/2025 - 20:02

    I've always found some grey-area way to buy Windows, even though I use it for 8-16hrs a day, 7 days a week for the past 30+ years.

    I think this year I might bite the bullet and when I rebuild I'll buy a legit retail license. I know this might not sound perpetual but rolling to a new version of Windows has been free since Windows 7, so if I'd just bought it legally then I'd be gravy.

    The complement of this thread would be things I thought I bought once but clearly did not… Nitro PDF can go f*** a duck, "perpetual" until they turned off the activation servers just recently, get wrecked. I'm going to "buy it once" via the high sea's now, you filthy animals.

  • coffeerequired on 12/03/2025 - 20:06

    I never understood the hype with RM's boots especially where their quality has gone down - don't mind their belts. I got some hush puppies for 1/4th the price from Myer on special and even RM wearers think they are the same, I rate them as they are comfortable.

    Some of my picks though:

    Jura Z10 coffee machine <— can't imagine the morning without it
    Have the house water filtered from the mains ='s life changing
    Drawer fridge in the car on a lithium setup, once you have it you wonder how you lived without it.

    • rumblytangara on 13/03/2025 - 08:52

      got some hush puppies for 1/4th the price from Myer on special and even RM wearers think they are the same, I rate them as they are comfortable.

      I don't wear mine much anymore partly because in Oz they are such a office cliche, but mine are coming up to 20 years old and I did wear them daily for around 15 years- had two pairs that I rotated through wet London winters and Asian typhoons. I severely doubt that many other brands (especially Hush Puppies) would compare for longevity. I'm not even sure if Hush Puppies can take a full resole.

      One pair finally gave up the ghost at the 15 year mark.

      • tenpercent on 13/03/2025 - 20:32

        I don't wear mine much anymore partly because in Oz they are such a office cliche, but mine are coming up to 20 years old and I did wear them daily for around 15 years

        The original hipster?

        • rumblytangara on 13/03/2025 - 21:41

          Hipsters wore RMs in Oz? Didn't think they went with the flannel.

          RMW used to have a store in London, but they were a rare sight on the streets as there are so many good English bootmakers and RMs are just Chelsea boots.

      • dogboy on 14/03/2025 - 15:39

        I was excited to buy some RM boots and did some research before buying them. It really turned me off how much the quality has dropped on the cheaper boots since it was bought out. Ended up buying Aquila boots instead and am very happy with them.

  • Spookware on 12/03/2025 - 20:19
    +1

    Robot Vac. Agreed, great for doing the bulk of the work.
    Rattle gun.
    Pressure washer.
    Headphones. Have so many.
    Eye cover things for long trips.
    Drink bottle, Insulated.
    Latest Phone.
    Fast car.

  • Acopic on 12/03/2025 - 20:33

    A belt. Specifically, plaited kangaroo leather with double "O" ring style buckle. Bit of care and it will last you a life time. Or no care and it will last you most of a lifetime.

  • dtrinh on 13/03/2025 - 10:41

    Carbon wok well seasoned, cleaver and wooden chopping block. Done and dusted ootw

  • Captain Cheapskate on 13/03/2025 - 11:31

    This is quite a challenging topic when I think about it.
    Do you mean items that can last a lifetime for a one off purchase?
    Or quality items that are better built than others, but will inevitably need replacing?

    If it's the former, you can rule out almost all electronic devices, especially items that use non standardised batteries or not replaceable, such as roborock vacuums.

    I Have a roborock s7 Max V Plus Pro Super Nova Ultimate, and it has been great for 3 years, but It's going to need replacing soon, used to do house on 1 charge, now it needs 3 charges, and sometimes it just forgets what it's doing and roams around erratically and not return to dock.

    • blushingelephant on 13/03/2025 - 12:34

      Why don't you just change the battery on roborock and just reset the device. Roborock parts are easy enough to find on aliexpress.

      • rumblytangara on 13/03/2025 - 13:03

        I've done this.

        The replacement parts from Ali might not be the best- my replacement battery certainly doesn't meet the claimed capacity. Still works okay for my space, but wouldn't last for a bigger place that the machine should still be capable of.

        And rather than the cleaner realising that it's low on charge and automatically returning for an interim charge, the cleaner just conks out randomly in the middle of the floor.

        I've had a fair bit of experience with Ali/Taobao Lipo batteries, so was half expecting this to happen.

  • emblurr on 13/03/2025 - 13:42

    I'll add a Zeroll ice cream scoop

  • JimB on 13/03/2025 - 15:13
    +1

    Quality hand tools- sockets etc.
    Hydroseal tap reseating tool
    Carbon steel pans (replaced my cast iron pans- too heavy for daily use)
    King Living sofa
    OLED TV
    CTEK battery charger
    Bailey's 4 step ladder with Platform
    Real solid timber floorboards
    Mitsubishi Japanese made fridge
    Methven tapware
    Low profile car jack and stands.
    Mechanical Keyboards
    Hydronic heating system.

  • happydragon on 13/03/2025 - 16:56

    Vitamix blender
    Braun shaver

  • Drakesy on 13/03/2025 - 17:14

    A Rolex GMT
    Although post covid is fcuked

    • JimB on 14/03/2025 - 12:36

      Want to hear a sad story?

      I sold my Rolex GMT II Ceramic for $6k as I preferred another watch (that I still wear daily).

      Not sad I got rid of it but the price…sold it to a friend who wanted it. I think I still would own it if not my friend had asked to buy it.

      I'm still waiting for the call from the AD about my Daytona Panda lol

      • Drakesy on 14/03/2025 - 12:38

        dammit.

        Thoughts and prayers :(

        Yeah refuse to brown nose AD's just so i can pay full retail for a watch that probably costs them $1k to make.

        • JimB on 14/03/2025 - 12:42

          All good. Mate still has it.

          It didn't really shoot up until Covid. My daily has gone up as much as the GMT and it was pointless to me having too many similar watches.

        • JimB on 14/03/2025 - 13:05

          I'd be happy to brown nose the AD if I could buy Daytona Panda at RRP!

          It will cost Rolex maybe $1k to make but the dealer margins aren't that high on Rolex professional watches if sold at RRP. They will make more money selling to the gray market dealers hence why getting a Daytona at retail is near impossible unless you're a very very good customer who also buys precious metal watches.

          • Drakesy on 14/03/2025 - 14:10

            @JimB: Also why the rep game is so strong atm, when celebrities can't be farked waiting for a watch given that people can barely tell the difference with a rep these days its little wonder.

            • JimB on 14/03/2025 - 16:02

              @Drakesy: I thought about a rep Daytona as I've been on the waiting list for 10 years lol.

              I may fool everyone else but I'd know that it's a fake and won't appreciate the watch. Plus, I'm not wearing a Rolex to impress others.

              • Drakesy on 14/03/2025 - 16:13

                @JimB: Yeah i get that.

                However if it meant i didn't get 10 years of use out of a watch i'd 100% get a rep to fill that gap.

  • PrettyBrokeTBH on 13/03/2025 - 17:29

    +1 on the weber. I have had mine for 10 years now, still use it weekly. I am weighing up getting it cleaned/serviced professionally (and igniter fixed as it only lights 3/4 of the grill, I believe this is an easy/standard fix) or replacing it as they are not overly expensive.

  • Donmega123 on 13/03/2025 - 17:43
    +2

    If you smoke marijuana with any frequency get a Dynavap or better and an OG easy valve Volcano vaporizer. Both will last forever and parts for both are very easy to get.

    Middle of the range Chinese Cleavers (One for vegetables and one for breaking bones) are well worth buying and learning to use properly, in many ways they are a superior tool to German and most Japanese chef knives.

    Rambo lpg burners are insanely good if you want to cook with a wok outside, they also fit a lodge cast iron pan reasonably well if you want to cook steaks.

  • MrThing on 13/03/2025 - 17:53

    Quality condoms. saved me heaps

    • NanoDuke on 13/03/2025 - 18:18
      +2

      Vasectomy will be the true BIO/CO, right?

      • Donmega123 on 13/03/2025 - 20:10
        +1

        I've had two mates get them at 35 after they broke up with hideous girlfriends, if you've got less than 10 kids stay in the game gents!

        • tenpercent on 13/03/2025 - 20:35

          They only got the snip after 35 kids? Woah. Even that's too many for me.

    • Donmega123 on 13/03/2025 - 19:53

      Those skyn ones are sick! People don't realise how lucky they are, ansells etc used to be just shithouse it felt like you were murdering your wang with a plastic bag.

      • MrThing on 13/03/2025 - 19:56
        +1

        I would poke air holes in them so he can breathe

  • Wasabi Ninja on 14/03/2025 - 11:16

    22oz Estwing hammer

    • dogboy on 14/03/2025 - 15:43
      +1

      Still chasing a decent deal on this item…

      • Wasabi Ninja on 14/03/2025 - 16:37

        Mines 30 years old and still perfectly fine. They’re so well balanced.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 14/03/2025 - 11:58
    • My 2 pairs of GYW shoes (haven't had to buy work shoes in 6 years)
    • All-Clad/MadeIn cookware (Most versatile cookware and cleans up like new by scrubbing with BKF)
    • Kitchenaid with grinder attachment (burgers on tap)
    • CH wireless ball vape (built like a tank, can get a whole bunch of cool glassware off DHgate for cheap to change it up. ABV gets made into edibles)

    Not buy once, cry one but a cheap stick-on under counter kitchen towel dispenser is one of my favourite kitchen purchases, roll never gets dirty and I can grab a square with one hand.

  • freakitude on 14/03/2025 - 12:31

    Everki Laptop bags.

    Normally goes for $150 and sometimes half price deals come up. There was a deal once in 2015 where I managed to get it for $25, thanks to OZB.

    Still going strong after 10+ years.

  • sobriety22 on 14/03/2025 - 13:28
    +1

    Quality hand tools - Sidcrome, Wera, Knipex
    Mitutoyo vernier caliper
    Logitech MX mouse and keyboard
    Yes also to the Leatherman but I just don't get to use it enough.
    My go to knife is actually the Milwaukee Fastback with the disposable blades, but the body is built so solidly.

  • Make it so on 14/03/2025 - 14:37
    +2

    Well worth the money and quality of life improvement:

    quality electric toothbrush (with lithium battery)

    Especially for kids once they are old enough to use it.

    Impacted teeth can't be fixed - only patched. And patched again, because fillings don't last. Each time they have to drill a larger hole, until you have to spend $1000's on crowns/bridges. The young generation may live to >100y/o, so they should look after their teeth from young.

    A quality electric toothbrush costs less than one filling from a dentist, and is far more effective than a manual toothbrush.

    • MrThing on 15/03/2025 - 07:20

      Anyone not using an electric toothbrush doesn't realize what they are missing out on

      I switched to an electric brush when I finished school and my teeth feel so much cleaner versus a brush

      I initially switched because I was to rough on my gums brushing, but I wish I switched earlier now

      I didn't buy a fancy one but just a $30 oral b gig, has a timer which is nice so I know I'm brushing for the right length

  • Kiro on 14/03/2025 - 15:41

    Google Pixel 9 pro fold 512gb. Empty pockets, so sad.

  • serpserpserp on 14/03/2025 - 17:29

    ULA Dragonfly Ultra Backpack (I do a lot of backpacking/travel)

    My God this bag is expensive. It has to be in the cry category

  • Windows7forever on 14/03/2025 - 19:33

    A brick house

    • tenpercent on 14/03/2025 - 20:29

      Don't go with a straw one or sticks.
      Good life lesson.

  • niknikniknik on 15/03/2025 - 01:01

    Unifi home networking and security equipment. Game changing over expensive consumer level gear.

  • Taita on 15/03/2025 - 01:36

    Lodge cast iron pans.
    De Buyer pans.
    Pincinox stainless steel clothes pegs.

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