Author Topic: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy  (Read 6490 times)

jfer_rose

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Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« on: July 06, 2013, 09:49:45 AM »
What sorts of silly consumer items have you been tempted to buy? Were you able to overcome temptation, or are you hanging your head in shame because you actually bought it?

Here are some of my examples. These are examples of stuff I didn't buy. I hope to post later the embarrassing details of stuff I did buy. I think I am blocking those experiences out since I've already donated all that stuff to Goodwill and I can't remember those mistakes:
  • Ice molds that make giant ice cube spheres (didn't buy-- what was I thinking, I only rarely use the ice cubes from the ice cube trays that came with my fridge!!?)
  • Planter for my bike http://www.etsy.com/listing/112527305/build-your-own-bike-planter?ref=exp_listing (didn't buy, I love my bike, but I really don't need to decorate it with plants, especially at such an expensive price. I mean seriously, a planter for my bike?!)
  • Expensive shoes that I didn't need just because they are reflective when light hits them to increase visibility when biking after dark (didn't buy-- I'm especially glad of that because my feet are difficult to fit and these would have been difficult to return)

Eric

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2013, 02:28:55 PM »
Definitely the Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer.  It's a miracle product.  Just check out the reviews on Amazon if you don't believe me.  Mustachianism be damned.  Everyone needs a Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer.

http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII

jfer_rose

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2013, 03:04:09 PM »
I do like the banana slicer. Have you seen the Million Randon Digits-- that one's great too! http://www.amazon.com/Million-Random-Digits-Normal-Deviates/dp/0833030477/ref=cm_lmf_tit_11

huadpe

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2013, 07:50:29 PM »
I'd say my silly consumer item I've been tempted to buy is a convertible car.  It's completely useless, adds a ton of things that can break to your car, costs more, and is guaranteed to leak.  But you get to drive around with the roof off.

pbkmaine

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2013, 09:03:52 PM »
Anything fuzzy. There was the "Slanket", and now there's a pillow you can stuff your iPad into that turns into a neck pillow that turns into a backpack. Won't buy them, but love the commercials. Did buy "Pajama Jeans", but forced myself to wait until they arrived on eBay. Those I wear all winter and LOVE them.

+1 for the Hutzler and Million Random Digits reviews. I laughed so hard over those I thought I was going to choke. OMG.

Mustache Fatty

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2013, 09:43:00 PM »
I was close to buying a 12k sports ticker (it included the scores feed for 2 years).  The thing would have wrapped around 2 walls.

jfer_rose

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2013, 05:21:11 AM »
I was close to buying a 12k sports ticker (it included the scores feed for 2 years).  The thing would have wrapped around 2 walls.

Whoa!!! I think my mind is blown by this one!

Ozstache

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2013, 05:53:06 AM »
I came very close to buying a brand new, fully blinged out VW Golf R for about $65,000 about a year ago (pre-MMM epiphany). Thankfully, the dealer offered me the most insulting trade in price on my otherwise perfectly good four year old Ford Focus diesel - nearly $10K less than it's low band red book trade in price - and I stormed out of the place in disgust. Post-MMM epiphany, I thank that dealer for what he did from the bottom of my mustachian heart!

Zamboni

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2013, 08:42:28 AM »
I have random fleeting urges to buy silly stuff every time I look at Sky Mall while on a flight.

Ooohhh, clothes that go on the outside of my suitcase!!  That's kinda neat. . . http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=204191451&c=5457

The sunsocket sun tracking solar panel:  who DOESN'T need that?  (seriously, though, if it was 10x cheaper I might buy it for my deck.)  Yes, yes, I know they make cheaper ones, but those aren't tracking.
http://www.skymall.com/shopping/search.htm

kudy

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2013, 09:37:15 AM »
A $600 smart phone to replace mine. Haven't done it.

Starstuff

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2013, 11:49:22 AM »
What sorts of silly consumer items have you been tempted to buy? Were you able to overcome temptation, or are you hanging your head in shame because you actually bought it?

Here are some of my examples. These are examples of stuff I didn't buy. I hope to post later the embarrassing details of stuff I did buy. I think I am blocking those experiences out since I've already donated all that stuff to Goodwill and I can't remember those mistakes:
  • Ice molds that make giant ice cube spheres (didn't buy-- what was I thinking, I only rarely use the ice cubes from the ice cube trays that came with my fridge!!?)
  • Planter for my bike http://www.etsy.com/listing/112527305/build-your-own-bike-planter?ref=exp_listing (didn't buy, I love my bike, but I really don't need to decorate it with plants, especially at such an expensive price. I mean seriously, a planter for my bike?!)
  • Expensive shoes that I didn't need just because they are reflective when light hits them to increase visibility when biking after dark (didn't buy-- I'm especially glad of that because my feet are difficult to fit and these would have been difficult to return)

To be fair, the bike planters are pretty adorable. I don't spend money on "things" so much... I just have a soft spot for novelty foods. I had to stop eating sugar to stop buying novelty candy....

MgoSam

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2013, 12:18:14 PM »
Italian leather something, don't remember what. I was n middle school and my family took a bus tour of Europe. We stopped at a demonstration on Italian leather, and I remember something silly (like a bookmark) that was made out of leather and wanting it so badly. Still very thankful my parents had the good sense to refuse me.

Eric

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2013, 01:46:03 PM »
I have random fleeting urges to buy silly stuff every time I look at Sky Mall while on a flight.

I love Skymall!  (not that I ever buy anything from it)  It's a totally unique combination of completely absurd and absolutely brilliant product ideas scattered throughout the same free magazine.

aclarridge

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2013, 01:49:47 PM »
A $600 smart phone to replace mine. Haven't done it.

+1. Props, bro.

Also, a car. Haven't yet done it.
Also, a PS3. Have done it.

Jamesqf

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Re: Silliest consumer items you were tempted to buy
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2013, 02:13:45 PM »
The radio-controlled flying dragonfly.  But it was fun :-)