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58 “Buy It For Life” Products That Didn’t Survive Long Enough To Justify The Price
Shopping can be fun, but not if you’re on a budget, which is why some folks try to buy quality products once so they don’t have to keep splurging over and over again. The idea of purchasing something for life can be quite amazing, but only if the item actually withstands the test of time.
Unfortunately for the folks on this list, they realized too late that their products weren’t built to last, which is why they lamented it in the r/BIFLfails group. Even though we can sympathize with their pain, we definitely can’t miss a chance to laugh at these terrible purchases.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Not My Oc, But Major Appliances Should Last A Hell Of A Lot Longer Than That
David Scotman 9 hours ago
In Australia the consumer laws say (summarised) that more expensive items that would generally be expected to last X number of years must still be repaired or replaced by the place you purchased it from (or manufacturer) even if the warranty has run out. If you have misused or mistreated the product then this does not apply. In this example GE would be required to do something. I think for a washer it should be expected to last five years, so you still have rights for that long.
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#2
Headphone Jack Removal In Mobile Devices Is Still One Of The Worst Tech Decision For Consumers
A suspicious pepper 11 hours ago
Whenever I buy a phone I always choose one with headphone jacks.
#3
Haws Made In England Watering Can. Rusting After 3 Years. 5 Year Guarantee Doesn't Cover This Damage. Nice!
Most of the time, we keep buying new things to replace items that are worn out or broken. According to finance experts, there is another way to go about this by buying a durable product that lasts decades rather than years, which is part of the Buy It For Life (BIFL) lifestyle.
The idea behind this strategy is to buy a product that might cost more upfront but doesn’t fall apart easily, which can save folks money in the long run. This system can seem like a good idea, but people should consider their budget before trying it, or they might struggle to manage their expenses.
#4
Smeg Kettle
#5
Sorel Winter Boots
#6
Gps With "Lifetime" Updates
A suspicious pepper 11 hours ago
Reminds me of when you buy lifetime access in a one time purchase and then they switch to subscription mode.
The Buy It For Life idea has been around for a long time and is a popular lifestyle for frugal people. It gained popularity through a subreddit with the same name, founded in 2009, where people share unsponsored reviews of durable products. People who frequent the community often use their purchases for a while before sharing whether others should buy them.
They attach photos of the items to show any wear and tear, which also inspires confidence among other members. That’s why this movement has gained so much momentum: they follow the idea that you should ‘buy once, cry once,’ meaning that even though the higher price might make people balk, it can save money in the long run.
#7
Sheertex Tights - So Much For Unbreakable And At The Price Point They’re At Too 🙃
#8
Second Pair Of Okabashi Sandals To Fail In Exactly This Way
Earonn - 6 hours ago
Not related to this branch, just a general warning: if you buy expensive shoes for "special occasions", wear them about every 3 months - just walking around in the house for one day will do. Otherwise the sole material can get dry and crumbly. I worked on the customer hotline for a quite known brand and had more than one person suddenly find themselves going through their daughter's wedding or brother's funeral barefeet....
#9
This Gh Bass Backpack After 3 Months Of Subway Commuting. Top Handle Has Completely Come Apart
It can be hard to know exactly what counts as a long-term, durable product, but True Keepers reviews explain that it can include boots, jackets, luggage, camping gear, and even kitchen items. Products made from full-grain leather, cast iron, stainless steel, brass, nylon, and hardwood usually last a long time.
How an item is constructed also matters, as stitched, riveted, welded, and forged pieces hold together for a long time. Items that are glued, snapped, or injection-molded together might fall apart much more easily. So if you want your products to last a lifetime, start looking for these qualities.
#10
My Sister Has Had To Velcro The Freezer Door Shut For Over A Year On This Frigidaire Fridge She's Had For Less Than Three Years. Now The Fridge Door Won't Close
OneHappyPuppy 5 hours ago
The fridge legs weren't calibrated when first installed, the fridge is tilted forward
#11
Doc Martens 1460 Purchased April 30th (63 Days Ago). :(
Fellfromthemoon 2 hours ago
That means you borrowed a pair of shoes for two months, and if you bring them back, you wil get back your money. I had very similar issues with a pair, and I considered it a win.
#12
Less Than 2 Months With This Pottery Barn Comforter That Supposedly "Features A Baffle Box Construction To Keep The Batting From Shifting"
Products meant to last a lifetime need a few characteristics, or they might wear out much faster than expected. One such quality is repairability: if you can fix something by stitching or mending it, you're more likely to keep the product for decades instead of replacing it with something new.
Another important factor is whether the item has a warranty, and some manufacturers state upfront whether they will fix the product for free within a set period. This can help ensure you aren’t forking out more cash within a few years because of a faulty item.
#13
Nope Nope Nope
#14
Samsung Washer And Dryer Only 3-4 Years Old
#15
Patagonia Jacket Sleeve Ripped Open After Less Than A Month Of Light Use. Given How The Seam Was Stitched, It's No Mystery Why
Many items on this list failed partly because of false advertising and partly because they just weren’t built to last. That’s why it’s important for people to know which products are meant to be bought for life and which should be considered short-term.
Examples include kids’ shoes, clothes, and toys that follow trends, phones, cameras, and even baby strollers. Most of these things will either need to be replaced every few years or will no longer be needed after a certain point, which means you don’t need to invest a lot of money in them.
#16
May Not Be Exactly Bifl, But Mephisto Has A Pretty Good Rep In Europe. Was Quite Disappointed That The Soles Wore Thin After A Year's Infrequent Wear. Beware!
Boo 7 hours ago (edited)
My summer trainers (fabric) are still going strong 4+ years. My winter ones (leather) are 2+ and no probs yet. The gladiator sandals I bought 5+ years ago are still as comfy as the day I bought them. For footwear, I stick with sketchers. They are more expensive, but well worth it. I really love the slip in trainers, they work as advertised.
#17
This Black Sweatshirt Is From Target In 2014 (~$20). The Grey One Is From Flint And Tinder In 2023 ($118) And Already Pilled. Guess I Need A Time Machine To Get A Decent Sweatshirt For Cheap
#18
Ok I Know Everyone Already Knows This But I Am Continually Shocked That This Is The Quality Control Allowable By The Richest Company In The World (Apple)
Most frugal experts know exactly what to look out for when it comes to ‘Buy It For Life’ products, but we laypeople might struggle to find quality items. That’s why professionals advise doing as much research as possible to understand which brands have a strong track record for durability and which don’t seem to withstand the passage of time.
Another way to save your wallet is to buy used products, especially wooden furniture or steel utensils. You can usually find durable items at your local thrift store for a fraction of the cost, which won’t strain your wallet.
#19
I Had A Cheaper Pair Of Boots That Did The Exact Same Thing, I Figured Carhartts Would Last A Little Longer. Did Not
Daniel Atkins 53 minutes ago
It also looks like the toe is being repeatedly subjected to wear. Are the kicking objects on the regular or do they work on their knees and drag the toe unconsciously against the floor? Un less they are designed for the two examples i mentioned they will fail as they are not designed for that kind of repeated stress.
#21
Pajar's Premium Canadian Made Boots. Barely Survived 3 Winters. Very Disappointing
Buying quality items for life doesn’t mean you have to keep splurging; you can buy fewer things, just like a minimalist would. Taking your time, doing the right amount of research, and figuring out how to shop are the best ways to make it happen.
Some folks also ignore their budget just to buy a durable product, but that isn’t the right approach. It’s better to think sensibly and only splurge when you can afford it, or the stress of debt can get to you faster than a bad product does.
#23
10 Yr Smoke Alarm By Kidde Lasted 2 Years
#24
Chicken: 1, Zwilling J.a. Henckles: 0
A suspicious pepper 11 hours ago
Second sh itty knife in the list. Always buy knives with a full tang! They last much longer.
Beyond being a complete life-saver in the long run, following the BIFL lifestyle can also offer many environmental benefits. According to research, it can save raw materials, use less energy-intensive manufacturing, and create a sustainable buying structure.
Even reports from the World Economic Forum say that changes in people’s consumption and lifestyle could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% by 2050. This kind of “green shopping” helps protect the Earth, while also serving as a long-term utility for people.
#26
Jansport Backpack Laptop Sleeve Zipper After 2 Years
TonjaLasagne 4 hours ago
I bought a vintage Jansport backpack off of eBay that was Made in USA (when they were still quality backpacks and made well) and looking on eBay for NOS products is my go-to for many of my household purchases.
#27
Otterbox Fail
Jeff White 9 hours ago
This product is supposed to be designed to withstand daily use. The protector failed?!?
If you’ve never heard of the Buy It For Life way of living, this could be your way to get into this lifestyle and build a stock of durable, long-lasting products. Although it could drain your wallet at first, it seems to pay off in later years. Unfortunately for the folks in this list, they tried their best to buy BIFL products, but clearly ended up with duds, which you should do your best to avoid.
We’d love to hear if you’ve ever bought things that fell apart instantly and what exactly happened. We’re definitely not here to laugh at your misery, but we’d love to know your story.
#29
First And Last Pair Of Dr. Martens : Why Do People Buy These?
#30
Hexclad Is Going Back To Costco
TonjaLasagne 4 hours ago
HexClad is only famous because of Gordon Ramsey. There's far better cookware available.
#31
Solovair Shoe Split Just As Fast As The Trash I Was Buying From Target Beforehand :')
#33
My Logitech G603 Wireless Mouse Has Failed After Only Two Years Of Use - Double Clicking Left Click Issue
#35
Hamilton Beach Kettle Failed In Less Than A Week
TonjaLasagne 3 hours ago
It's been difficult finding a decent electric kettle these days, since every one that I've looked at has been made in China and all of the manufacturers have been getting cheap by using less quality materials. I bought a Capresso cordless water kettle off of Woot in 2017 that surprisingly still works: I had never heard of the brand before but it was 55% off so I gave it a go.
#36
This Moleskine Messenger Bag. Waist Strap Broke After A Couple Months, Had To Sew It Back On. Now The Other One Just Broke. Plus, It Doesn't Hold Its Shape Well & Is A Pain To Use
#37
After Our First Joybird Couch Lasted Less Than Two Months, The Replacement Lasted Less Than Two Months Before The Leg Snapped
#38
So Infuriating... Wonderful Messenger Bag, Everything Else Is Perfect, But This Part Of The Strap Didn’t Even Last A Year... Anyone Know How To Fix It?
#43
Tumi Latitude Bag - Handle Only Lasted Two Years - They Want Me To Pay To Return To Fix (More Info In Comments)
A suspicious pepper 11 hours ago
No, they should be paying you after selling you such a crappy product
#45
Moccamaster Button Fail 5 Months In
#47
Irish Setter Boots By Red Wing Are Not Red Wings Or Bifl
#48
Lg Failed
#50
Thermos Gasket Being Stored Dry And Clean For A Couple Of Years. Any Fix? Just Replace? Any Cheap Alternatives?
#51
Fiskar Shears Rusted In One Season
#52
I've Owned These Hunter Refined Rainboots For 2 Months And One Boot Is Completely Falling Apart
#53
Lenovo/Targus Passage Backpack 5 Months In, Zipper Seam Is Coming Off
#54
Birkenstocks Falling Apart. There's A Thin Plastic Layer On Top That Is Peeling Off Big Time. They're Only 2 Years Old... Not What I Expected. Happens On Both Sandals By The Way
#55
Steelcase Leap Armrest Raise/Lower Broke - 3D Printed A New One
#57
These Are Destroying My Feet And They Won't Accept Returns. So I Get To Eat $240 And Go Buy A New Pair Of Redwings
#58
Frigidaire Microwave Keeps Exploding 20a Fuses After A Faulty Outlet Gave Too Much Current. Owned For Less Than 2 Years
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What do you think ?
A suspicious pepper 11 hours ago
I wish companies would go back to creating quality products that lasted their customers years, sometimes decades. These days it's all plastic sh it and the most inexpensive materials, so that people have to keep buying new ones. It makes the companies a lot more money to sell trash. Greedy bastards
Arabiata Arabiata 33 minutes ago
Why do people assume that a reputable and expensive brand guarantees better quality? A brand name often just allows a company to sell a product at a higher price.
A suspicious pepper 11 hours ago
I wish companies would go back to creating quality products that lasted their customers years, sometimes decades. These days it's all plastic sh it and the most inexpensive materials, so that people have to keep buying new ones. It makes the companies a lot more money to sell trash. Greedy bastards
Arabiata Arabiata 33 minutes ago
Why do people assume that a reputable and expensive brand guarantees better quality? A brand name often just allows a company to sell a product at a higher price.
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