In a world largely governed by consumerism, it may be hard to discern what purchases are really worth your money, and which ones are just your impulses talking.
Just pause for a moment. This year, shoppers spent a record $9.12 billion on Black Friday and another record $11.3 billion on Cyber Monday, making it the biggest online shopping day in history. This almost irresistible urge to buy things is created by smart selling strategies that largely play on our fears of missing out (who doesn’t like a good deal now and then!).
So how do we find rational ground in this buying craze? How do we measure what things we need and what we don’t, what’s worth our money and what’s not?
Well, this Ask Reddit thread may have some answers. “What brand name is actually 100% worth spending more for?” someone asked and people started sharing the splurges that, according to them, were totally worth their money.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Ratafes , CharmaineZoe's Marvelous Melange Report
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427points
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ItzANYa_FORGER ItzANYa_FORGER Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Yes.
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replyView more comments#2
I've had cheaper things crack on me, lids break. But Pyrex lasts forever.
chefjenga , Dennis Harper Report
Final score:
380points
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Zoe DiAnni Zoe DiAnni Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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I had a pyrex shatter in the oven, 3 years later I still occasionally find little pebbles of glass!
6161points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#3
vsmack , whitneyEVEport Report
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366points
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L. Lawrence L. Lawrence Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Yep...for dishes, for grease spots on clothing, and for some reason it kills fleas on animals almost instantly without any harsh chemical odors or poisons. Great for kittens too young for flea dips.
134134points
replyView More Replies...View more comments“There's a certain hack to buying well-known quality brands,” Lina Survila, the founder of Abstract Stylist magazine and creator of metaverse news newsletter The Wearables Daily told Bored Panda in an interview. Lina argues that the brand name is not everything, “but if you're a consumer who usually gets bored of your old clothing, it's better to buy brands that other people love too.” In this case, Lina argues, after some time you will be able to easily sell the item.
#4
My mom has some tupperware containers that are almost as old as me and they are still in good condition. It's rare that I can find plastic containers that are even close in quality and durability.
Slish753 , Phillip Pessar Report
Final score:
362points
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PunnyPanda PunnyPanda Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Used to feel the same about Rubbermaid, but unfortunately it's not what it used to be... :(
9999points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#5
acme brand dynamite
Anon1776-1 Report
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Jack Jack Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Did the roadrunner write this one?
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#6
TheJechtShot , Meaghan O'Neill Report
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Zara the squid! 🦑 Zara the squid! 🦑 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Don’t even get me STARTED on the Crazy Art crayons.
9494points
replyView More Replies...View more commentsMoreover, “That would never work with fast fashion brands because worn-out pieces are usually in no condition to sell, and people do not want thrift for fast fashion brands, which they usually can buy with big discounts anyway,” Lina explained. In that way, Lina continued, “we help consume less and choose ethically made items that have value even after a few years of wearing.” She added that the same rule applies to anything you can think of from household brands to children’s toys, and even art.
#7
howtoyouusereddit , Willis Lam Report
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Interesting_Astronaut Interesting_Astronaut Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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All the other brands are low-quality nothingness
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#8
sebaska , Scott Lewis Report
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322points
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Zara the squid! 🦑 Zara the squid! 🦑 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Better to stab you with my dear
5353points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#9
scipper77 , Stephen Andrews Report
Final score:
285points
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JB JB Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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A mechanic with half a brain can make one run past 300k!
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replyView More Replies...View more commentsHowever, Lina agreed that not everyone can spend a lot of money on a new jacket. “But this cycle of conscious consumerism also lets people buy second-hand good quality items for a reasonable price,” she said. “So I would suggest doing your research on quality brands and mixing your wardrobe with new and second-hand items,” Lina concluded.
#10
KitchenAid stand mixer. I’ve had mine for over 10 years now, use it at least once a week and takes a beating during Christmas time and it still works like a charm.
ochlee Report
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282points
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Tabitha Martel Tabitha Martel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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People that have older ones, passed down from parents/grandparents etc, yours ran so nicely for so long because of the all steel motor. Almost all of the models now have some plastic which burn out more quickly. As a professional baker who operates out of a licensed home kitchen, I've killed two motors in 8 years lol. This Christmas I'm finally paying for the pro line that has an all steel motor.
101101points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#11
I don't know what all the other brands and generics are doing, but I swear their cotton to stick ratio is always off. Too pokey or too soft. Can't be just me...
derekwilliamson , QuesterMark Report
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277points
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Stephanie Ladd Stephanie Ladd Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Ugh the off brand the stick always bends too like it's made with a cooked noodle
9292points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#12
3M Post-It Notes.
Making an adhesive strong enough to stop the notes curling up at the edge and falling off, but weak enough that you can remove and replace them at will, seems to be outside the skill set of every other company.
emefluence Report
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270points
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Loudawg76 Loudawg76 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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I think I recall reading somewhere that the Post-it’s were created from a mistake with a different invention. The glue not strong enough for the original purpose or something?
5555points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#13
Edit: Thank you to dimpletown for suggesting I edit this comment to add the brand, which is Natori, they make my 30DD "over the shoulder boulder holder".
washgirl7980 , Uliana Kopanytsia Report
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249points
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Stephanie Did It Stephanie Did It Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Do they make double-barrel slingshots in 38GG? I'm weirdly shaped too.
6060points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#14
Charliebeans108 , Mike Mozart Report
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Telmo Belo Telmo Belo Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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I tried to make cheesecake (the soft cold type) at home a few times. I tried store brand cheese and Philadelphia and the taste difference was staggering
7373points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#15
Corelle ware. That s**t is damn near indestructible and bonus it’s been around for forever so you often find it super cheap at thrift shops.
yaoiphobic Report
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234points
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GoldfishCrackers GoldfishCrackers Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
Broke one the other day and couldn’t believe it. Was like some sort universe glitch.
8484points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#16
Kerrygold salted butter
Edit: lol didn't see this blowing up. Thanks for the upvotes and awards!
chimpdoctor Report
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225points
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Loolie Loolie Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Lurpak! Getting ridiculously expensive but sooo good!
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#17
Yeti. Friend’s brother is a firefighter and was called to put out a car fire. After it was extinguished, they found a Yeti with ice water still in it in the cup holder.
LiveMaineLobster Report
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224points
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Eric S. Eric S. Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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That's practically a commercial right there. Unless for some reason the Yeti cup caused the fire, that would be less cool. But hilarious.
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replyView more comments#18
cullymama , Bora C Report
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April Caron April Caron Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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IKEA bags. Nothing beats them. Nothing.
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#19
Bounty paper towels
Edit: my highest upvoted comment is about.....paper towels? WTF Reddit
INTJ_dragonwarrior Report
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Juan Optional Juan Optional Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Viva are good too.
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#20
readaugkx Report
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LeeAnne B LeeAnne B Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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The BiC lighters have gone through the wash, fallen out of pockets and the are still going strong.
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#21
Le Creuset Dutch oven.
Looks, performance, durability - should last you a lifetime if you look after it.
Kangar Report
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Nobody Nobody Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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what do you mean *a* lifetime!? if looked after they will last generations!
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#22
This will get downvoted but I bought my MacBook Pro in 2010 and it is still running fine. Before that I was going through toshiba and hp laptops every 2-3 years. In my case the MacBook has been the cheapest laptop I've ever had
boxedj Report
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Amy Burke Amy Burke Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Dell laptops are extremely well made too
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#23
Any of the top Toilet papers. Don't skimp on s**t tissue. Your butt will thank you.
keywest8690 Report
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Maura Aldrich Maura Aldrich Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Angel soft is the best. Cottondale leaves lint in "places"
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#24
Oxo. Kitchen utensils, housewares in general, their stuff is so intuitively made and well designed, and just looks great to boot. If they make a version of anything I need, I will always choose their brand over anyone else’s.
anon Report
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Green Tree Green Tree Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Oxo nearly always wins when Americas Test Kitchen (PBS cooking show) tests gadgets
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#25
Fine point, no smear, no pressing hard to get a clean line. Since I discovered them I can’t go back to other ball point pens
jalopycat , strike-eagle Report
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171points
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Interesting_Astronaut Interesting_Astronaut Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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As a lefty, THIS IS THRUTH!
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#26
A Swiss Army Knife. Use that baby everywhere.
KenKaniffLovesEminem Report
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Richard Coy Richard Coy Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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MagGyver?
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replyView more comments#27
I got a Bosch set for my washer/dryer and so far they’ve outlasted 3 sets of my father-in-law’s LGs, Samsungs, and another one I don’t remember. People complain appliances don’t last as long as they used to, and while I don’t disagree, it’s often because they buy the cheap models.
eclips1st , Mike King Report
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162points
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Eric S. Eric S. Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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My Frigidaire front loader and dryer set are 25 years old and still work like brand new (tip: never use the detergent drawer for anything, and always keep the door ajar between washes). Same with my whirlpool fridge (although I did have to replace the thermostat, $25 on Amazon and 15 minutes after watching the video on YouTube.
4646points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#28
Stanley stainless steel vacuum/thermos bottles. I have one that holds a 12-cup pot of coffee that I bought at a neighbor’s estate sale 30 years ago and it was probably 20 years old then. It still works exactly as promised.
I did have trouble cleaning the coffee crud out of the bottom of it until I saw a Heloise Hint on this: Fill it about 1/3 full of hot tap water and drop in about 4 denture-cleaning tablets and let it sit overnight. You wouldn’t believe how clean it is after that treatment!
Wow! I had no idea this would take off line this. Thank you! I thought you want to have a look at my old Stanley:
[Stanley Vacuum Bottle/thermos](//imgur.com/gallery/38TZfG1)
sopsychcase Report
Final score:
156points
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Chich Chich Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Had one for years but lost in a move. looked like it fell down a mountainside but still worked just fine.
3434points
replyView more comments#29
Pilot G2 Pens
uninc4life2010 Report
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144points
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April Caron April Caron Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Staedtler. Pens. Pencils. My all time fave.
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replyView More Replies...View more commentsSee Also on Bored Panda Woman Shows How "Harry Potter" Characters Were Supposed To Look According To Book Descriptions (35 Pics) 50 ‘Weird Facts’ About The World That Might Give You A Fresh Perspective
#30
Coca-Cola. Unbranded coke is just meh.
alemancio99 Report
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141points
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Jack Jack Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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I read “unbranded come is just meth” 🤣
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replyView More Replies...View more comments#31
To add: I'm 33 and been with my wife since we were in high school. I've purchased a lot of these products myself, even when I was first dating her. It's either being a paper or cardboard insert that is rough/uncomfortable or the cotton is just not safe and doesn't stay together as it should (as a few have stated here as well). This is mostly from store or off brands at Fred Meyer (Kroger) as that's where we've always shopped, or the occasional Safeway trip. We don't have any Walmart or Costcos near us so we have no idea how their brands are.
NogEggz , Karolina Grabowska Report
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OnAFreakingRollercoaster OnAFreakingRollercoaster Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Always all the way!
7777points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#32
As a teacher, Expo whiteboard markers
megabeano Report
Final score:
125points
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TKA TKA Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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I think this is one of the things the teachers ask for by brand, most items on the school supply list do not say a specific brand.
2929points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#33
Zippo lighters
Amazing quality. Lifetime guarantee with a no questions asked repair or replacement policy. You can find a broken one randomly on the street, mail it to them and they will repair or replace it.
A zippo lighter will last generations.
For anyone interested but doesn’t like using lighter fluid. Zippo now makes inserts for both butane and electric arc lighters.
//www.zippo.com/collections/lighter-inserts
LordVic Report
Final score:
125points
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JB JB Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Lighter fluid also helps get rid of labels and glue residue from tape!
2828points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#34
Reese cups.
Doom4104 Report
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Zephyr343 Zephyr343 Community Member • points
posts
comments
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FollowUnfollow2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017- Svg Vector Icons : //www.onlinewebfonts.com/icon Report
Yes...please...and thank you
2323points
replyView more comments#35
Corelle dishware. It's sleek, durable and lightweight.
It's basically the kevlar of dishes
stipo42 Report
Final score:
116points
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Bob La Capra Bob La Capra Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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But if you ever drop and break a plate be very careful handling the broken pieces. The edges are razor sharp
3434points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#36
Ticonderoga pencils >>>>
i’ll write a whole 10 page essay by hand with one of those babies
EatA**ForTheHallPass Report
Final score:
113points
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April Caron April Caron Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Staedtler! Made with wood from the Black Forest. They actually weigh more. Take a Staedtler Pencil and a Ticonderoga pencil and compare their weight… Staedtler is just a more solid pencil. The green ones are my absolutely fave!
2727points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#37
Makita, never let me down
joe-from-illawong Report
Final score:
98points
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Kevin Cranston Kevin Cranston Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Makita is the highest of the high-end tools.
1515points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#38
TooRational101 , gbrazzill Report
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96points
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Chich Chich Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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You do not save anything buying cheap paint for serious projects. Save now but pay more later. I've had to repaint cheap painted items while better quality stuff is still looking fine.
3939points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#39
Michelin high-performance tires - long-lasting tread, quiet, excellent traction.
Back2Bach Report
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84points
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Donkeywheel Donkeywheel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Michelin is by far the best brand of tires in the world. They invented pretty much all the tech and innovations that are copied by the competition, and their products are not even expensive (all things considered). You won’t get a better quality for the price, guaranteed. But for some reason they suck at marketing and don’t have the recognition they deserve.
2424points
replyView More Replies...View more commentsSee Also on Bored Panda Overworked Employee Quits Because He Wasn't Getting A Fair Wage, Costs The Company $40 Million Bride Doesn't Include Wedding Dinner Price In Her Wedding Invites, Is Surprised To See Many Guests Canceling On Her After They Find Out
#40
Birkenstock sandals
jeephead1969 Report
Final score:
83points
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Eric S. Eric S. Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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Hell no. Most hideous footwear ever.
4949points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#41
Pretty much anything made in America, Japan, or Germany is going to be better quality that all the Chinese c**p being sold on Amazon. Everything from kitchen knives to cars. Of course you'll pay a premium since they aren't made with slave labor.
Pineapple_Massacre Report
Final score:
79points
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Stephanie Ladd Stephanie Ladd Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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I disagree. Many American made things I've had aren't as good as their foreign counterparts. Japanese things are almost always the best
9999points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#42
basicbiatch247 Report
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77points
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indiecognition indiecognition Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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They really suck
7373points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#43
Not a brand but the golden rule for tools. Buy the cheap one first. If it breaks buy the expensive one. If the expensive one breaks buy a few of the cheap ones.
Dogsinabathtub Report
Final score:
77points
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JB JB Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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If you use the cheap ones to the point it's worn down, broken, or you know you'll be using it loads, then get the expensive one.
3131points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#44
Duluth Trading Company (especially for underwear). There was a half off sale a while back and I got enough that I never have to wear other brands.
Grombrindal18 Report
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75points
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Bob La Capra Bob La Capra Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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So underwear was half off at Duluth Trading Company....
3232points
replyView More Replies...View more comments#45
Bosch appliances
Ok-Chance-6887 Report
Final score:
70points
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Donkeywheel Donkeywheel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes
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TBH it used to be but quality is declining. So much that Bosch themselves introduced Bosch Pro to provide (for example) very good tools or appliances. But the brand is unfortunately not a quality guarantee anymore.
2323points
replyView More Replies...View more commentsNote: this post originally had 83 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.