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
@2ndeffort: I personally have given it up using it daily because I feel uncomfortable wearing it due to its price tag and I can't be bothered to set the time whenever it dies (it's extra annoying because of the date). The model does look fairly old, given how I cannot find it being sold anywhere (FC345X5S5/6) and the Google search pops up with 2012 posts.
I probably would use the one I have as something I can use in formal occasions. While I think the watch is beautiful on how it works, I personally find it too impractical and too expensive for its own good for me to wear them every day.
@Oversimplified: Fair enough they arent for everyone. I have a couple of reasonably expensive watches (Omega, TAG Heuer etc) that I rotate and wear daily but cant wear them if I am going to the gym or playing sport etc. I could never leave them in a locker room etc. I also have a couple of Seiko Autos that cost considerable less, $300-$500 ish and I sometimes enjoy wearing them more than my $7k Omega!
Pretty much everything, I like quality stuff and have learnt from experience to not buy cheapo anything unless their product is exactly the same, like home brand oats vs brand name oats, literally the same.
Beer. Going from $40 a case during uni to Vale Ale/Little Creatures
- Mechanical Keyboard - I spend a significant amount of time on a computer whether it's gaming, internet, or as the media centre. I wish I bought one 20 years ago..
- Pots/Pans - they just last longer and feel nicer
- Mice- I use terrible two dollar jobs at work. I have a very nice gaming mouse at is just an ergonomic pleasure.
- Mattress + pillows- another thing that I have invested in recently. The last few years have been amazing.
Mech keyboards? Any advantage for using one for non games work?
Well it's more of a personal preference imo. If you keep your membrane keyboard at work fairly clean all the way through, it's usable and it will do everything you want it to. If you hop on board the mech kb train, you will likely find it just more enjoyable due to the tactile feedback from the keys.
I wonder how well they would be received in a work environment. I imagine everyone in your office would want to kill you within minutes due to the noise.
Rubber orings solved that problem. My typing at home is significantly quieter than my typing at work because the membrane keys require harder presses to ensure actuation.
I agree that it's personal preference.
My sister has a mech keyboard and I hate it - too noisy so I decided to buy the quiet type to see what all the rage is about. I like it but I can't say I prefer it over my non-mech keyboard. The only thing I like better is that it makes rainbows!
I am a programmer and a self confessed geek. I spend a lot of time on the computer though I admit I don't game much anymore. I will never EVER understand the fascination with mechanical keyboards. Can't stand the chiclet style but my favourite is the Microsoft Media Pro which I picked up a few copies of on special for between $35 and $40. Only complaint is the writing on the "A" key on the keyboard seems to wear out after a while. I have had my kids spill water on one and it didn't kill it. I've used 2 copies in about 8 years. At work I type on what i'm given which is a HP keyboard. I don't have a problem with it. Will be very upset if they go chiclet though. I do 80-90 WPM depending on the day and how you tally up accuracy.
Yeah there are certainly good membrane keyboards out there, each to their own. :)
Wingsuits , parachutes and tightropes
What about grapling hooks?
I travel the world taking down dictators and I can't recommend enough utilising the aid of a deranged scientist to upgrade your current grapple. The speed in which I liberate little towns and military bases has drastically increased.
Frigo and eccetera!
Absolutely nothing.
Underwear, and socks.
Ever since getting exofficio underwear, can't go back.
Socks - recently appreciating Australian made wool socks, from Lindner Socks. So comfortable.
Cars.
I really thought I could go back but after test driving the competition anything not European felt… sad.
Hah. A friend of mine who used to drive a Mercedes thought it was overkill and too expensive. He bought a Subaru and has regretted it ever since.
I ended up using the European only for special function. The rest of the week goes the Japanese
Gopro action camcorder. Their built and quality is a touch beyond other brands. I could be wrong, different people different opinions.
MacBooks, love 'em. Definitely will continue buying them. Not a fan of iPhones though.
Was going to say the same. I am still using my MacBook Pro from 2008 (unibody). Upgraded the ram from 4gb to 8gb a couple of years ago.
I will probably upgrade next year but wondering if it could make it last for 10 years.
I have used HP in the past but the experience with their offshored tech support when the HD drive failed was really bad. Also had to drive really far from where I live to get it replaced.
My wife's Dell laptop computer we bough less than 1 year ago. Already had a USB failed. The paint is fading from grey to pink.That's only one experience from you. My brother, a friend and I all bought a brand new Macbook Pro laptop a few years ago. Within a few months, all three of them had issues with the glue holding the battery bit at the back melt away from the heat generated and fell apart.
All three of them went in for repair. My brother and I had had enough and sold it as soon as it came back from repair. Piss poor for a laptop that costs $2,500.iPhone 3GS is the last apple product I have used and don't plan on using one again in the near future. Overpriced and I find them very fiddly and annoying to use.
That sucks. I have many apple products at home. Some failed but on average they are pretty good.
The ones that failed.
Apple Classic iPod. Screen gone after 4 years. Still works but no screen.
Apple base station. Gone after 1 year. Got it replaced with a refurbished one free of charge.
And that's it. Everything else is still working including iPad 1Hopefully when I upgrade to a new MBP the quality is still as good as what I have experienced so far from Apple.
They can remove my iPhone from my cold dead hands. I'm never switching to anything else. I can't stand android or window phone.
I have an el cheapo wallet that has lasted 5 years. Take care of your goods, and most things will last as long as you want them to.
Same with the $1 wallet I bought in Bali end of 2009.
MILK, I used to buy woolworths home brand milk until I try A2, it does taste different…
Fresh roasted coffee… for a proper coffee machine
None of that instant garbage, or the stale beans sitting on the supermarket shelves… oh and don't get me started on pods!The difference is incredible, even for an amateur palate. Often coffee in restaurants isn't as good anymore (you can tell when the beans aren't fresh!)
Also the satisfaction of brewing a beautiful cup makes the premium worth it
Have to agree with mattress and shoes: good long term investments that may play a role in your health!
Couldn't agree more. Good quality, fresh roasted, grind as required coffee is the only way to kickstart the day.
It is the most necessary of all evils…
I have found with coffee that the person doing the roasting has a massive impact. At work everyone rates the cafe staff and we all agree who makes the best coffee. Some of the pods are far better than the others. Best coffee I ever had was in Bellingen.
Camera - once tried a Leica, there's no going back.
Nothing better than a good Leica.
Now….what was her name?
Watches!
I started off with Omega and then Rolex but then got my first Audemars Piguet and looking at my first PP, never going back!
RO or ROO?
The PP Nautilus is a grail of mine, but no amount of savings from ozbargain can justify a PP.RO 15450. The 15202 doesn't fit because the bracelet isnt flexible enough.
No chance with the ROO but i'm not a fan of the sportier APs like ROO or Diver.Looking at the 5712R but the 5712/1A seems more popular and can save $15k! Not a fan of the bracelet though, as iconic as it is haha.
Nice, the 15450 is so sweet.
I have to say that the 5712/1A is a lot more popular, it would also be my choice… but I can see why the gold 5712R would be a good fit for you, since you already have an iconic steel piece in the form of the APRO.
Yeah that's true.
If i didn't have the 15450 then 5711 would do me… hard to go past the classics.Anyway, a lot of people wouldn't understand us… but those that do, would concur its hard to go back. Just a one way street here!
Hookers
Audio. Used to stick with the headphones that came with my smartphone and a pair of Beats Solo HDs that I got used for $100, listening to YouTube to MP3 rips. Really started getting into the game a couple years ago. Now I rock some pretty nice stuff, and base stuff like smartphone purchasing decisions around audio quality. For reference, here's what I use:
Desktop Audio:
Sennheiser HD7 Headphones
Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G SoundcardOn The Go
Nexus 6P w/ Viper4Android
Xiaomi Hybrid IEMs
Bose QC3s (used solely for planes)Nothing mind-blowing, but definitely a step-above most people. I'm not much of an Audiophile, but definitely appreciate the awful sound quality of the pair of Apple Earpods and YouTube Mp3 rips my friends listen to.
Boots: RM Williams
Beer. I drink less but far better stuff
Meat.
Milk. You just can't go back to cheap milk once you get started on something like Mungalli Creek.
Sawblades.Thinking about it, that's a pretty manly list.
Perfumes.
Woman!
Those cheaparse ones are no good. High quality is much better.You better hope she doesn't think the same.
Buro chair!
Never buying another officeworks/ikea chair if I ever have to.what everyone forgot………..INTERNET speed…………. never can go back to dial up
Someone mentioned NBN earlier.
I've been on Telstra Cable over 3 years now (115 Mbps), which is faster than a lot of the NBN plans anyway.
Bottled Water
burning money…
And burning diesel due to food miles.
what brand do you find tastes better and is worth a lot more money?
Coffee
Mechanics
Haircuts
Shoes
Business shirtsHaircut? Just do it yourself. Buzz the sides and back, shorten the top, then thin the top just a little.
Or shave it all off… save on time and electricity too
You'd save electricity my way by using scissors to shorten the top
Audio - Have to have a half decent pair of headphones and earphones
Coffee - Cant do instant anymore, the difference is night and day
TV - Love my gaming and tv series so i always go for a decent brand tv (sony atm)There the main ones, agree with mattresses but a good topper is also handy, footwear not so much.
Camera lenses. With pro lenses (like the L series) if I buy it at a good secondhand price, I can almost always sell it at exactly the same price I paid for it 5 years ago (provided I keep good care of it). And the quality is much better too.
Restaurants. I love find dining now. I'll happily pay 80 bucks for a steak at Rockpool
Tempura pillow. $200 dollar pillow seemed insane at the time but completely solved my back problems and now getting 8 hours sleep every night.
I agree, deep fried pillows are the best!
Lol. Now I'm hungry.
genius!
Aussiebum boxers too! Can't go back to bonds #shudders#
The aircon in my car.
Back when I was working a part time job on Sundays, and money was quite tight. I would never turn on the aircon in my car, even on a 40 degree day, the windows were always down.
Fast forward 3 years and am now working a full time job, so money is stable. Aircon usually comes on when temp is 30+.. lol
Healthcare.
Good health is priceless.
A good general practitioner is worth his/her weight in gold - even if they don't bulk bill. It's not important when you have a cold or an ingrown toenail - but it is important when there is something more sinister to be ruled out.
If you need to see a specialist, paying extra (either to a private health fund or to see the specialist privately without waiting) is worthwhile.
Same goes for physiotherapists, psychologists and dietitians.
Not wasting your money and risking your health on quacks not basing their practice on evidence and without decent standards of training (e.g. chiropractors, naturopaths, osteopaths etc) is where you save.
Totally agree. I was taking my son to a bulk billed doctor for a while and all he was giving my son was cough medicine.
I Finally found a really good doctor who was very thorough, and after one visit, it turns out my son was asthmatic all that time. He didn't need cough medicine at all and I believe over use of it stunted his brain development.
I think it works out to be about $30 a visit after medicare, but well worth it. I have never gone back to bulk billed doctors.
I probably would've disagreed normally, except I remember that last time I went to the cheapo GP he prescribed some expensive and very strong oral medication to treat a very minor skin fungus. The side-effects of the drug he prescribed meant I would not be able to have kids for 6 months. Thankfully the pharmacist was surprised at the prescription and instead suggested I try a $4 skin cream first. So grateful for that pharmacist.
Wine.
Yes.
I have a relative who keeps buying really cheap wine (i'm talking $3-10 a bottle) in the hope that one day he'll get one that is good. It's like gambling to him. I consistently spend about $13 to $20 on bottles that I know are good and have good reviews and get good wine 90% of the time, but it seems every time i try the stuff he gets, it's probably only been drinkable about 20% of the time.
I used to buy cheap cleanskins too, but the $13-20 bracket has some really good wine if you pay attention to reviews, buy dozens at a time and have a bit of time and space up your sleeve to hold on it a while.
Laptops. I only buy business notebooks now
I've given up on laptops now after having 4 of them break down over the years mostly due to overheating with the onboard graphics chip which can't be replaced.
I think you should buy an alienware or something else with a dedicated GPU
Hard Cover books - what a pleasure to read a nice piece, in comparison to paperbacks. Last forever and paper quality is much better!
Shoes - as others have said, quality matters
Clothes (especially suits) - because first impressions are important, don't dress like a hobo. Don't buy those cheap fused suits because you will always regret it
Food - I have to try all of the good restaurants especially when travelling, why work so hard if not to enjoy life
Glasses - went light weight frame with high quality zeiss lenses, I wear them most days so it's worth paying a bit more
mattress, light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, vacuum cleaner, cookware
Lingerie.
do you mean, for example, not the $10 bras but better like $70 or do you mean quality ones like $500?
No idea how much the mrs spend on lingerie but the 2 pieces that I was so impressed by that I actually read their labels, were from L'agent Provocateur and Laperla. Do they cost $500? O.O
some are
US$590 for the bra http://www.agentprovocateur.com/int_en/mei-bra-dark-red
US$490 for the undies http://www.agentprovocateur.com/int_en/mei-brief-dark-red@veritas_mendax:
One item was nearly $2000, would want to be nice lace.
la perla is around the same , but they do have cheaper range.
not the edible one then?
baby bath product and moisturiser… those Johnsons stuff dries the skin and doesnt even moisturise baby delicate skin.
USB cables. eBay ones are utter garbage even though they cost peanuts.
Have been using Tronsmart cables ever since and the difference is staggering.
Gloves - don't get the $4 gardening gloves in bunnings - splash out for the $40 ones.
They will last a lot longer and are far more comfortable.
Latex/memory foam pillow, firm mattress (hotel mattresses too uncomfortable)
Mechanical keyboards (office work and home) and wrist rest/pad (ergonomics for the increase in height)
Decent mouse with a large cloth surface to use on (logitechs mostly g5, g9x, g600 have a g502 and using the ducky mouse - dumbass design on the braided cable on g5 and g9x screw up at the point of entry into the mouse body)
Headphones with a DAC/AMP (currently on a massdrop AKG k7xx - over ears are very comfortable no soreness that comes with prolonged use such as with on ears with open back and an Aune T1 mk2 dac/amp)
Not working.
Used to work and thought it was good but hen realised . Why'd you need to work?
Yeah yeah yeah despite my name I'm not on Centrelink because that would mean I am actively looking for work.
The only reason most of us work is to pay the bill for the 28 degrees card after an Ozbargain bender where we've bought a warehouse full of eneloops.
My Laz-y-boy lounge suite. Not found a more comfortable one as yet.
Definitely shoes.. I used to be a cheap ass and thought you'd be nuts to spend over $100 on sneakers. Now I buy asics gel shoes and barely have the amount of foot pain that I used to get with the cheapie shoes. I had some cheap kmart shoes I had to buy before I had a job, used them once for a shift at my new job (3 hours) and my feet ached horribly. When a 2 for 1 sale came on at Paul's warehouse I got 2 pairs of asics quick walk for $120. Use them for work now and get no where near as much pain as I did when using the cheapies. Don't skimp on footwear! Lesson learned.
Er…something that hangs around Kings Cross. At night. By the corner.
iOS, Since I've used iOS, I won't want to go back to Android, never again.
A good doctor.
A good accountant.
A good lawyer.
You can't put a price on health, finances, and freedom/being taken for a ride on important transactions.
Other than that, buy the best mattress and pillow combo you can (even if you cant afford it, just buy it)… you sleep more than anything else in your life, and a good mattress should last you a decade or more. Even when you're not sleeping, a good nights sleep affects your waking hours too.
The other creature comforts will come if you have health, finances, and sleep sorted in your life. The lawyer is there for backup ;).
Oh… and insurance. Health, car, home, contents, income.
Get it all covered. Doesnt have to be the most expensive, but get the best cover can.
@Oversimplified: I dont have a watch winder and I have a few automatics. It can be a PITA having to set a watch every time I decide to wear it but the upside is that the battery never wears out. My autos never runout of energy when I am wearing them, the little movements during the day, even typing this post on OzB are winding up the movement. Not sure which year/model Fred C you have but recent models have had an ETA/Sellita movement inside and it should go for a day or 2 by itself, certainly should make it through the night. I would get a good watchmaker to have a look but get a quote from him upfront as they can be expensive.