I saw this post and wanted to ask the opposite. What are some items that really aren't worth paying the expensive version for? Preferably more extreme or unexpected examples.

  • Adkml [he/him]
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    11 months ago

    Tools and sports equipment especially if it's something niche.

    People shit on harbor freight but if you need a new tool or something for a hobby it's probably not something you're going to use often if youve already soent any significant tiem doing that hobby.

    Buy the cheapest version of it and of you use it enough to either break it or figure out what parts of the design you don't like it's a good sign spending a little extra on a better version isn't a waste.

    Especially getting into a new hobby avoiding the urge to buy expensive shit right at the beginning because you think it'll make you better at the thing.

    • 7bicycles [he/him]
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      11 months ago

      Buy the cheapest version of it and of you use it enough to either break it or figure out what parts of the design you don't like it's a good sign spending a little extra on a better version isn't a waste.

      Agree'd, albeit with the caveat that if it's about screws, you wanna spend at least some money on the part that actually connects with the screws, so, the bits. Doesn't really matter all that much if your harbour freight e-motor on your drill burns out, if you fuck up all the screws on whatever you're working on with shit bits that's gonna be a hassle.

      But even then, that's like "pay more than the $0 free offer on alibaba" territory of spending. After that, the dimensions and tolerances are fine, it's just gonna be longevity.

      • Adkml [he/him]
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        11 months ago

        Good point I'd put hardware like screws and nails themselves in the same category of stuff it's worth not getting the cheapest version of.

    • soli@infosec.pub
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      11 months ago

      I came here to say this too. Lots of people buy expensive tools that they only use a couple of times. I respect the buy it for life mindset, but at that level of usage anything you can get your hands on will last.

      • Adkml [he/him]
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        11 months ago

        Yea probably should have included the caveat tools but nothing that would benconsidered a safety device.

        I'm also not buying fall prevention anything for as cheap as possible.

    • space_comrade [he/him]
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      edit-2
      11 months ago

      Not sure if that's true for table tennis. Like yeah if you're just barely starting out sure get the $10 paddle but pretty soon (maybe even within a month or two) you're gonna want a better paddle if you want to be at all serious about it.

    • SoyViking [he/him]
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      11 months ago

      If you're drilling six holes a year, a cheap-ass power drill is going to work just as fine for you as the expensive one intended for professional use.