30 Times People Bought Expensive Things And Definitely Didn’t Get Their Money’s Worth

Some of the best purchases I’ve ever made were my air fryer, blender and handheld vacuum. I use them all multiple times a week (sometimes multiple times a day!), and I’ve certainly gotten my money’s worth from them. But there’s no point in owning any of these items if they’ll simply sit in a cabinet collecting dust.

If you’re a big impulse buyer, you likely know the shame of purchasing the latest workout gear, piece of technology or cooking gadget then realizing a few months later that it hasn’t seen any action. But if you’re guilty of this, you’re not alone. Redditors have recently been sharing the big purchases they’ve made that certainly weren’t worth it, so we’ve gathered some of their regrets below. Enjoy scrolling through these reminders not to buy a smart watch just because your colleague did, and keep reading to find a conversation with Laura Turner, aka Thrifty Londoner!

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Drone. Turns out it’s hard to find legal areas to fly it and everyone hates you.

awbobsaget , Mathias Arlund Report

Final score:

122points

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StrangeOne 5 months ago

I live in an airport city. You can't fly them anywhere here, that I know of, so I rarely, ever see them. I do think they have some really good uses and can make some incredible bird's eye videos.

40points

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A telescope in a country that's cloudy all the damn time.

biancahernandezaaxg , Jennifer Lim-Tamkican Report

Final score:

119points

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james stevenson 5 months ago

Also useless if you live in a city due to light pollution. (Apparently once in new york all the power went out and people saw some strange cloud in the sky, it was a galaxy or a nebula, and they had no idea because light pollution had stopped them from ever seeing it before)

59points

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A fitness bike. the plan was to watch tv and ride my bike and get fit.. now I just hang clothes on it :(.

lilalila666 , Max Di Capua Report

Final score:

115points

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Anna Ekberg 5 months ago

Well tbh this is more about getting yourself together and following through with the plans you made. Getting started is the hardest part and it's not too late to start now.

64points

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To gain more insight on this topic from a personal finance expert, we reached out to Laura Turner, also known as Thrifty Londoner. Laura was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss some of the most commonly purchased and later regretted items.

"Trending items endorsed by celebrities or influencers can often be bought in a rush, especially if there is a limited-time-only discount code or promotion on the item," the expert says. "My biggest vice in the past has been expensive skincare. I've bought items that have promised clear skin or anti-aging benefits, only for them to not suit my skin type, and sit virtually unused in the cupboard. I hate to think how much money I have wasted over the years! When I started a very simple routine with minimal products, my skin improved massively."

Eight cemetery plots. I knew the price was going to double and thought it'd be a good investment. But cemetery plots do not sell like hotcakes.

Chupapinta , Waldemar Report

Final score:

108points

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Realistic Optimist 5 months ago (edited)

Homie got scammed 😬. This is like that timeshare bs, but with cemetery plots.

57points

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I own a set of crystal wine glasses for special occasions that never seem to happen.

sure_screen817 , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

99points

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StrangeOne 5 months ago

I have vintage Waterford by Marque wine glasses. I use them all the time. Why not? Makes me feel like a queen in my home.

95points

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Bought an expensive watch to celebrate a milestone, but it feels too fancy to wear regularly.

senior-war-9389 , Houssam benamara Report

Final score:

97points

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Miki 5 months ago

I know it. But I am using it. It's a good feeling.

36points

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On the other hand, we were curious which big purchases Laura believes are actually worth the investment. "One of the most expensive items that I've bought is a second hand car," she shared. "I've certainly got my money's worth from the car over the last 18 months, and it has saved me so much time overall. It was so worth the investment."

I once got a professional, tournament style pool table. Real slate top, ball return, the works. Cost $6000 in 2000 because my wife was considering playing professionally. Then a year later, she broke both her ankles falling down a flight of stairs. It sat as a heavy, unusable table for the next 16 years. The problem with selling a professional pool table is that nobody who isn't a pool table expert understands that a slate top can't just be "moved." It weighs the same as a small car. This is nothing something you and your two buddies can put on the back of a pickup truck in an hour. It had to be de-felted, the plaster cracked, and then the three pieces of slate have to be moved independently. The base is built like something meant to carry 1300lbs and stay perfectly level, so it was heavy, solid and lag bolted wood.

After 2008, a lot of pool table places went out of business. Nobody would buy it, and I considered paying some person $1000 just to break it up and junk it (he took one look at it, and declined). Then, thankfully, I had a personal assistant spend the better part of a week trying to help me out with this, and she found a collector who DID know how to disassemble one, sent some of his guys to look at it, and he offered me $800 "shocked what good condition it was." I didn't even haggle. I was about to pay somebody $1000 to remove it, so $800 was a blessing. So he sent his men down, and in 3 hours, I had 50% of my rec room back and while "I lost" $5200 plus appreciation (if any), I was so grateful.

punkwalrus Report

Final score:

84points

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Krd 5 months ago

How does breaking your ankles prevent you from ever playing pool again? Even if you lost both your feet, you could still play pool.

27points

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The RV, used it once 12 years ago.

PattiiB , Matheus Bertelli Report

Final score:

83points

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StrangeOne 5 months ago

It's one of those things there if you're not an avid camper, rent an RV or rent a cottage.

40points

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College degree.

Material-Tutor-2940 , Gül Işık Report

Final score:

80points

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Verena 5 months ago

Education is never worthless and it is not included in a college degree to receive a well paid job after the ceremony.

8points

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As far as how we can avoid purchasing big ticket items that we don't need, Laura says there are several ways we can prevent having regrets. "The first is to think about longevity- is the item going to serve a purpose for a long time? One of the ways that you can determine this, is by considering the item in terms of 'cost per use.' If the cost per use is low, and you're likely to use the item frequently and for a long time, it may well be worth the investment," she explained.

#10

Purchased a fancy painting set to explore my artistic side, but it turns out I’m not much of a painter.

starswimming6842 , Daian Gan Report

Final score:

75points

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clairebear 5 months ago

Buying painting supplies and using painting supplies are two very separate hobbies.

13points

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#11

A boat.

Husband has always wanted a boat. I always said no, you won’t use it. Then he got really sick. The doctor thought it was cancer. He started looking at boats again. I didn’t want him to die and the last item on him bucket list was unfulfilled because of his b***h wife. So he bought the boat. He did not have cancer.

BlondieeAggiee Report

Final score:

71points

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Slapdash1 5 months ago (edited)

That b!stard! Hiw dare he not have cancer after all she did for him!

63points

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#12

I have a robotic vacuum that sounded convenient, but it doesn’t work well on my carpets.

acrobatic_abroad355 , Kindel Media Report

Final score:

66points

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SBocker78 5 months ago

A friend had one of these and it kept getting stuck under the couch. They finally got tired of freeing it and just left it there to die.

37points

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Laura also recommends doing thorough research before making big purchases. "To use the skincare example again, research the ingredients to see whether they are compatible with your skin type before purchasing," she noted.

And if you're looking for more personal finance tips, be sure to check out Thrifty Londoner!

#13

In 2020, I convinced my husband to buy me a sewing machine during lockdowns. It’s been in his closet ever since.

Scared-Replacement24 , Wallace Chuck Report

Final score:

62points

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iseefractals 5 months ago

My wife had a sewing machine for years that she knew the basics of how to use, but wasn't getting everything out of it that she could have, so she decided to get a job in a garment factory, so she could be paid to learn how to use it. Eight years later, she's used the thing so much it's imploded and now we're looking at a new one.

79points

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#14

I got a kayak thinking I’d spend my weekends on the water, but it’s been used maybe twice.

acrobatic_court2781 , Thilo Lehnert Report

Final score:

58points

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Michael Largey 5 months ago

Life hack - Stay out of palindromes.

21points

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#15

A high-tech blender that now serves as a fancy paperweight in my kitchen.

DanielleLilly , Nicola Barts Report

Final score:

56points

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Hobby Hopper 5 months ago

My fancy blender is worth it's weight in gold. I use it multiple times a day, every day. I've burned up several of them from using them so much, and the company keeps replacing them on warranty.

25points

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#16

I tend to get into things and then I obsess over the new “thing”. In the past I’ve spend a lot of money on yarn, for when I learned to crochet. I have spent money on art supplies, for water colour painting. I then bought a very expensive iPad so I could learn to do digital art. Then the last few months it was really expensive products for my hair, including a Dyson hairdryer and curling iron. This past weekend I bought a turntable and some vinyl records because it seems that now I’m fixated on this. I really hate that I am this way, but I can’t seem to make myself stop once I’m obsessed with the newest thing. I wouldn’t say I never use these things, but they aren’t used as much as I imagined.

Swimming-Fee-2445 Report

Final score:

56points

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CrazyKnitter 5 months ago

The ADHD is in charge

108points

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#17

Oculus 2 VR. Seems to be the same with most people I talk to that you're into it for two months, show it to everyone, then stick it in a drawer and never touch it again. Also I got really bad motion sickness in any of the games you move around in. Which are the most fun games.

LeaveForNoRaisin , Uriel Soberanes Report

Final score:

56points

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iseefractals 5 months ago

I drooled over VR headsets for years, but could never afford them. In 2018, my father died, and i had to go back to the U.S for the first time in 5 years. My best friend was also going through a divorce at the time, and was in the process of selling his house, so he didn't have time or the motivation to come visit...his means of making it up to me was to buy me an Oculus, (they were still $600+ at the time) I've used them twice, and both times i got terrible motion sickness headaches. Amazing tech and it's heartbreaking that i can't use them. Though as far as my buddy knows i continue to use them at least once a week.

36points

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#18

A $1k camera. I only used it for one trip.

nathan777333 , PhotoMIX Company Report

Final score:

55points

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Jas Warner 5 months ago

Well sounds like you need 2 more vacations.

35points

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#19

Heart defibrillator, but I'll be happy if I never have to use it.

knightxiii , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

Final score:

54points

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Michal Pifko 5 months ago

This is why you shouldn't change the original question when writing the headline. This is not something he regrets buying.

57points

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#20

Health insurance. F*****g insanely expensive.

No-Two79 Report

Final score:

52points

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james stevenson 5 months ago

OP is american aren't they?

46points

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#21

My truck. Shortly after buying it my job gave me a work truck to drive to and from work. Now my personal truck rarely gets used, which makes me sad.

rex8499 , Caleb White Report

Final score:

47points

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Lewis KR 5 months ago

Sell it, the money will make you happy again

65points

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#22

Paid $1000 for a domain name - never used it.

ntaylor360 , Pixabay Report

Final score:

46points

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Realistic Optimist 5 months ago

*cough* my friend, you paid far too much for far too little.

60points

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#23

I spent a lot of money on a high-end basketball hoop cause my wife was thinking about getting back into coaching. We were outside shooting around and hit this nasty crossover, and I broke both her ankles. We haven’t used it since.

chags1 Report

Final score:

46points

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Realistic Optimist 5 months ago

Are ankles that easy to break? Second one on this thread alone.

121points

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#24

Mouth guard, the fancy one your dentist fits you for and insurance didn't cover.

I lost it 2 months after I got it when I moved and when I found it again, my teeth had shifted and it didn't fit.

bvstvrdChild Report

Final score:

44points

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EM 5 months ago

I read that as moth guard at first and was somewhat confused about the dentist.🤣.

24points

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#25

Power washer. I haven’t opened the box yet. I bought it three years ago.

Durango1949 , Erik Mclean Report

Final score:

43points

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Susan 5 months ago

Sounds like you should resell. There's lots of people that apparently want one.

6points

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#26

Generator.

We were out of power for 10 days after the October storm in 2011. Bought the generator as soon as they were back in stock. Thankfully, haven’t needed it since.

i_wear_gray Report

Final score:

43points

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 5 months ago

Better to have it and not need it.

91points

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#27

3 mountain bikes.

One for my partner, which he never uses.

One for myself, which ended up being too big and I couldn't return it.

A second one for myself that was a much better fit, which I never use.

Plus accessories and upgrades for all three. I probably spent nearly $5k.

Tasty_Difference_577 Report

Final score:

41points

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Charles McChristy 5 months ago

So, get off your b*tt and use them.

40points

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#28

A one year subscription to eharmony for $500. There’s a lower double digits pool of women on the platform in my 100 mile radius and none of them are right for me.

kenfagerdotcom Report

Final score:

38points

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Ace 5 months ago

What the fsk? 500 dollars for a dating site? Are you insane?

43points

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#29

A DJI Mini 2 drone... it was fun for the first 5-6 times and after that, it's just been sitting there.

gigibuffoon Report

Final score:

33points

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Vadertime 5 months ago

I wanted one too, a few years back, but couldn't justify the cost or usage.

8points

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#30

An upright piano. Have owned it for about 30 years. Haven't really used it since about 2011.

MyHeadIsFullOfFuck Report

Final score:

33points

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Mary Kelly 5 months ago

sell it or gift it...instruments should be played

47points

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Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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What Is The Most Expensive Thing You Bought That You Never Use?

Alot of these are about buying stuff they still havent used. Unless you are dead then there is still time to use those fancy glasses, play the piano, fly your drone or start your exercise regime today. In the end you tend to regret the things you never even tried.

laura lee 5 months ago

And use those 8 plots, but wait they NEED to be dead to use those 🤭

14points

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Gavin Johnson 5 months ago

I got heavily into brewing / roasting / grinding coffee, like WAY too heavily, I now have a handsome collection of machines / filters / beans / scales / things that look shiny but are a pain to clean. What do I drink now? Whatever ground coffee is on offer and use an AeroPress to make it, simple to use, easy to clean, makes half decent coffee. Must be ruthless and eBay my collection of dust magnets!

Mike F 5 months ago

Pretty rough cleaning a burr grinder, ain't it? 😢

1point

Kristal 5 months ago

An air fryer. It's ridiculously redundant when you already have an oven, which I did. My ex-fiance got it in the break up. Though, for places that don't normally have an oven at home (like Japan or a college dorm) then an air fryer is an amazing product to use.

4points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 5 months ago

I like mine because it doesn't heat the house so badly. With it being almost summer, that's a consideration.

12points

Miranda Veracruz de la Joya Cardenal 5 months ago

Air fryers are faster and more efficient than an oven by a lot. I use mine almost daily, it is the appliance that I use the most in the kitchen

5points

Aussiegirl 5 months ago

We use ours all the time. A lot quicker than an oven. Made cheesy garlic bread last night. So good

Except, it's cheaper to run than the oven

I use mine instead of oven. Much quicker and cheaper. It is also great at holidays when I cook for whole family.

Nonplussed Puss 5 months ago

Really convenient, nice to be able to cook without heating up the kitchen, or if you don't have room in the oven.

Rodney McKay 5 months ago

An air fryer is much, much, much easier to clean than an oven. I use mine for messy stuff, and reserve the convection oven for baked foods that won't splatter (you know, like "special" brownies, and the many pizzas needed to go with them).