Same. I research things to death. And depending on how you cost your own time. I often spend more time than it’s worth researching things.The problem I face is one of going a bit too Rainman when it comes to working through the choices. My wife - and others - will see [thing] and buy [thing] because it's probably pretty good and seems like a good idea. Not a spreadsheet in sight, no multi-layered reviews of reviews, no informed second opinions
I go the other way, to the point where it almost removes any joy of actually buying [thing]. My satisfaction is knowing that I've bought the right [thing] (which is of course subjective so is really a false win) and then I get some marginal enjoyment from actually having [thing]. I could bore you with football boot examples, my recent Timberland experience (nailed that one, though *fistbump*), two new guitars I bought, and a car. I get some grim satisfaction from removing the fun of spontaneity and I'm actually okay with that. Come at me.
Does anyone else hate buying things these days?
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Caporegime
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Now that is an interesting view. If you rate your time (this might not translate well NZ >< UK) at even minimum wage of let's say $20 an hour, I probably 'spend' more on the research than I do the items (guitars and car excluded). That's a good sense check, thanks Mason-
Not necessarily.
I've bought quite a bit from Aliexpress/gearbest and its been fine for the most part.
There's no way to know the quality of an item before you buy online.
I do spend a lot of time looking at reviews etc before buying anything.
The problem I face is one of going a bit too Rainman when it comes to working through the choices. My wife - and others - will see [thing] and buy [thing] because it's probably pretty good and seems like a good idea. Not a spreadsheet in sight, no multi-layered reviews of reviews, no informed second opinions
I go the other way, to the point where it almost removes any joy of actually buying [thing]. My satisfaction is knowing that I've bought the right [thing] (which is of course subjective so is really a false win) and then I get some marginal enjoyment from actually having [thing]. I could bore you with football boot examples, my recent Timberland experience (nailed that one, though *fistbump*), two new guitars I bought, and a car. I get some grim satisfaction from removing the fun of spontaneity and I'm actually okay with that. Come at me.
I am with you man.
Maybe it is because being that way is now a lot harder as there is simply too much choice of almost everything.
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Caporegime
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Care to give us a few examples from amazon that you have returned due to not fit for purpose?
3 examples will do.
I'm not sure it is anxiety as such.
I just like to be able to make an informed decision on what i buy and that is becoming increasingly difficult, maybe impossible nowadays.
It is just something i have noticed more recently (ie getting annoyed when buying/searching for things). The sheer amount of choice is simply daunting these days.
I agree.
The main issue is that almost everything, especially consumer electronics wise, is mostly just the same few differing models of something, repackaged and rebranded, but at wildly differing prices.
I completely agree with everything you've said, however I'm getting better. More than ever, my time is worth more than the monetary benefit I may gain from saving/getting the exact right product for the best possible price, a fact that is brought in to sharper focus every day. Every product I buy without poring over for hours is an exhilarating act of liberation, as it's something I simply did not do in years past.
What it comes down to is accepting that you don't have to buy the perfect product at the perfect price. Sometimes you won't be able to win the meta of min/maxing life, and that's OK, because the price you pay for trying to do so is shortened lifespan through stress and wasting hours of your life you can't ever justify through the additional X% enjoyment of the product or money left in your wallet.
What it comes down to is accepting that you don't have to buy the perfect product at the perfect price. Sometimes you won't be able to win the meta of min/maxing life, and that's OK, because the price you pay for trying to do so is shortened lifespan through stress and wasting hours of your life you can't ever justify through the additional X% enjoyment of the product or money left in your wallet.
Chinese stuff flooding markets is annoying. Especially when there's clearly thousands of fake reviews. Classic sign is a million 5 stars, then slowly curving down, and a sharp spike back up on the 1 stars.
Hate buying clothes online, especially the cheap stuff. My wife keeps forwarding me things she wants me to buy, I've started refusing. I'd rather her spend twice as much in a shop, where it actually fits, it's the right colour etc etc, than end up having to try and deal with returns etc.
Hate buying clothes online, especially the cheap stuff. My wife keeps forwarding me things she wants me to buy, I've started refusing. I'd rather her spend twice as much in a shop, where it actually fits, it's the right colour etc etc, than end up having to try and deal with returns etc.
Soldato
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It doesn't help that the vast majority of review sites and YouTubers can no longer be trusted.
Research the OnePlus buds as an example. One review site rated them low as having no bass whereas another one said they were bass heavy.
Even Amazon customer reviews have become a joke. Most of them are paid ones and again can't be trusted.
Most stuff is very poor quality, and I wouldn't even say cheaply priced. Even the expensive stuff is cheap rubbish.
Funny you mentioned earphones though. I went through no end. By far the best were the Samsung buds.
Research the OnePlus buds as an example. One review site rated them low as having no bass whereas another one said they were bass heavy.
Even Amazon customer reviews have become a joke. Most of them are paid ones and again can't be trusted.
Most stuff is very poor quality, and I wouldn't even say cheaply priced. Even the expensive stuff is cheap rubbish.
Funny you mentioned earphones though. I went through no end. By far the best were the Samsung buds.
Vacuum water bottle £20, barely kept my drink cold for 2hours.
A bird table for my dad £80, was very rough on every corner with the wood splitting and cheaply nailed together
A jacket £30 size S, was more like a L with far too much length, was shiny material while website was matt.
A beanie hat that was more like one of those slouch things very thin and not as described.
Maybe I'm just overly picky but I'm not spending my money on items not up to par.
I also went through 10 OLED replacements (b7 and C7) as I wasn't paying 2k for a panel with banding and tinting. For such a price it should have 0 defects. I ended up getting my money back in the end, gave up and went back to my faultless Plasma.
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Soldato
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That is the joy of buying something. It took me 4 years to choose a watch, no exaggeration.
Caporegime
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Half the fun is the seeking, the finding the perfect one. Of course for things like daily regular stuff, just buy something well known, like headphones, get Sennheiser, Miele for a dishwasher etc, if you can afford them of course, less stress and most of the time the reputation is earned and they are good. But sometimes it’s fun to research, I can spend ages looking for the right TV or coffee machine or even battery charger. I find it interesting to learn about the best of that product for that price bracket. To learn about that kind of product.
These are so hit and miss - we have a spread of them people have bought at work with wildly varied results - price and brand name only seem to have a loose connection to performance.
Associate
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Stop buying random brands. Ask on these forums for advice and only listen to well respected reviewers.
I bought a gigabyte motherboard. I should have got an Msi one as my ram wont overclock but I bought it because my previous one is over 10 years old and is still going so it could turn out ok if this one is as reliable.
I bought a gigabyte motherboard. I should have got an Msi one as my ram wont overclock but I bought it because my previous one is over 10 years old and is still going so it could turn out ok if this one is as reliable.
Soldato
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I'm tempted to say first world problems? Are peoples lives now dominated by the agony of choice of what to buy? Ya'll have to be a marketing man's dream.
So read some (legit) reviews, find the best price, buy? Or don't, its not compulsory. I'm not sure why you're getting so wound up over such a mundane thing.
So read some (legit) reviews, find the best price, buy? Or don't, its not compulsory. I'm not sure why you're getting so wound up over such a mundane thing.
I in general do do.did not have many returns to Amazon but that changed with BT Head/Earphones as some are not up to what they claim I am talking from cheap £25 to £350+ over the years.
I do review them but many reviews are BS and even if not sound is subjective but not just the sound is my reason for returns, things like connectivity or glitches etc.
Overall I am happier with my cheap SoundPeats models over the years than most of the others.
I do review them but many reviews are BS and even if not sound is subjective but not just the sound is my reason for returns, things like connectivity or glitches etc.
Overall I am happier with my cheap SoundPeats models over the years than most of the others.
Caporegime
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I understand the frustration with the oled and I totally agree with your thinking.
I bought 2 water bottles from amazon recently.
A chillys which is the best. I got it on offer for £15 for 750ml on a deal of the day.
I also got an imitation called honey Holly.
The Chillys is very good. The honey Holly albeit inferior also does a good job but not in the same league as chillys.
I did however go through several reviews before picking up the imitation.
It's possible that you picked up a knock off imitating to be real because of the price.
Chillys isn't far off what you spent I'd take a look at them. Ultimately I've been happy with both of mine
You seem to be getting pretty wound up about me getting wound up over a mundane thing
Think you missed the point of the thread anyway, as I'm saying it is getting harder and harder to do what you suggest "So read some (legit) reviews, find the best price, buy?"
Caporegime
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I'm a bit torn here because I don't like what you're saying but I also wholeheartedly agree with it. A couple of other posters have touched on it as well: Nike. Just do it.
There are probably bigger things going on in your life than if you min/maxed (thanks Zefan!) that purchase. It's done, move on, try again next time.