58 “Buy It For Life” Products That Didn’t Survive Long Enough To Justify The Price

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.