ADVERTISEMENT

Usually, when we’re dropping a lot of money on something, it’s an exciting purchase. A brand new iPhone, a new car, a PlayStation5, or that top-of-the-line washing machine you’ve been dreaming about for months. You can’t wait to unbox it and christen it, but along with the excitement comes a tinge of anxiety. “What if I crack the screen?” “What if I spill water on it?” “What if someone scratches my door when parking next to me?” Unfortunately, nothing can stay new forever, and once something is out in the world, there are infinite ways to ruin it.

Below, we’ve gathered photos of some of the most tragic ways expensive items have been destroyed, and I’ll warn you right now, they might be painful to look at. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and for some reason, it seems like the purchases we cherish the most are the things that get demolished the fastest… 

Be sure to upvote the pics that have convinced you to always purchase the optional insurance, and then if you’re interested in causing yourself even more pain, you can find a couple more Bored Panda articles featuring valuable items that have taken irreparable damage here and here!

#1

Ground Staff Pulled The Wrong Handle And MD-80's Butt Fell Off

Ground Staff Pulled The Wrong Handle And MD-80's Butt Fell Off

kraven420 Report

#3

Baby Ducks In The Lake

Baby Ducks In The Lake

x2o6 Report

I’m not proud to admit it, but I can relate all too well to these photos, pandas. The one time I bought jeans that weren’t from a thrift store and actually cost a decent amount of money, I managed to get 3 stains on them the first time I wore them. I’ve shattered 2 iPhones, one by dropping it onto a tiled bathroom floor and the other by dropping it down an entire flight of tiled stairs. When I was 16, after having my driver’s license for one month, I got into a fender bender with my very first car. I’ve shattered glasses and plates, left my car windows down during a thunderstorm and destroyed the screen of a laptop only one month after a new one was put on (because the old one also stopped working).

Call it bad luck, clumsiness or karma for something I did in a past life, but I could see some of my possessions ending up on a list like this in the future one day. Many of these photos are even more tragic than anything I’ve experienced, though. I feel for these people, but I also can’t help but laugh. We’re all capable of doing stupid things or making mistakes that we immediately wish we could take back. Whether it’s melting your kid’s PlayStation controllers or driving your truck into a lake, everybody has those days. The important thing is that we learn from our lessons, and perhaps ensure those valuables next time around. 

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

My Laptop Was Murdered By A Single Grain Of Chipotle Brown Rice That Got Closed In The Screen

My Laptop Was Murdered By A Single Grain Of Chipotle Brown Rice That Got Closed In The Screen

kaxamdays Report

#6

Somebody Had An Expensive Oopsie At ORD Last Night

Somebody Had An Expensive Oopsie At ORD Last Night

rulingthewake243 Report

If you’ve got some photos in your camera roll that would be right at home on this list, don’t feel bad. Many of us do. For example, did you know that every hour, 5,761 phone screens are cracked? That’s over 50 million phone screens a year. These are primarily caused by drops, according to CNBC, and apparently, companies are working hard to solve the issue of creating a great smartphone that won’t shatter when it slips out of your hand.

“Proving that a device is durable is essential to convince people to pay more for a phone,” Francisco Jeronimo, senior research director for European mobile devices at IDC, told CNBC. “Consumers are a lot more concerned about what happens to their phone and it being able to handle certain accidents. When people spend $1,000 on a cellphone, they don’t expect it to crack the first time they drop it on the floor.” But everyone wants a thin, sleek design for their device too, which makes creating a durable phone quite the challenging task. 

ADVERTISEMENT
#7

My Dad Says “Google Is Doing This Stupid Thing Where The Blur The Top Left Part Of The Results. Facebook Is Doing It Too Actually.” He Melted The Top Left Corner Of His Screen

 My Dad Says “Google Is Doing This Stupid Thing Where The Blur The Top Left Part Of The Results. Facebook Is Doing It Too Actually.” He Melted The Top Left Corner Of His Screen

unidentifies Report

#8

So The Car I Was Test-Driving And Really Liked Went Up In Flames

So The Car I Was Test-Driving And Really Liked Went Up In Flames

I was test-driving a 2020 Ford Escape and really liked it. When I put it in reverse we heard a clunk noise and smoke started billowing from the hood. 2 minutes later it was engulfed in flames. 

mightymattii Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Lost The Toes On My Prosthetic Leg After My Friend's Dog Thought The Foot Was A Chew Toy

Lost The Toes On My Prosthetic Leg After My Friend's Dog Thought The Foot Was A Chew Toy

stalnoypirat Report

Even if phones become more durable than they have been in the past, we can’t stop humans from being clumsy. And apparently, Americans in particular seem to have butter fingers when it comes to holding onto their cell phones. Swns Digital reports that 52% of Americans are “always” worried about their phones. And for good reason, because the average American drops their phone at least four times every week, with most breaks happening within 10 weeks of purchasing the phone. 

“Gravity seems to be a constant challenge when it comes to our smartphones,” JP Brousseau, CEO of PhoneLoops.com, told Swns Digital. “Getting a protective phone case is the first step, but even that can’t always prevent damage to your phone if you drop it. A strap offers the simplest way to keep your grip, even one-handed – and that’s what Phone Loops provide.”    

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Skipped Breakfast, Stood Up Too Fast, Passed Out While Taking An Exam During A Zoom Meeting, Fell On My Most Expensive Piece Of Furniture

Skipped Breakfast, Stood Up Too Fast, Passed Out While Taking An Exam During A Zoom Meeting, Fell On My Most Expensive Piece Of Furniture

Shattered my phone, cut my ear on the broken glass, strained a bicep, and couldn’t submit the exam on time. How’s your day going?

probably_juicy Report

#11

If You Are Ever Tempted To Throw Your Styrofoam Cup Of Soda Out The Window On The Highway, Don't

If You Are Ever Tempted To Throw Your Styrofoam Cup Of Soda Out The Window On The Highway, Don't

autotech1011 Report

Add photo comments
POST
marilynrussell avatar
Marilyn Russell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, don’t throw anything out your car window. Just don’t litter full stop.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

What Happens When You Drive Into A House

What Happens When You Drive Into A House

Tickle86 Report

Add photo comments
POST
angie_koharu119 avatar
Angie Chiyoko ( She/they)
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd have thought a semi truck ran into this. Not a toyota ( or at least i think thats a toyota by the looks of the logo) Edit: Thank you all for clarifying it is not a toyota but a BMW!!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

When it comes to some of the most common places where phones meet their untimely deaths, Swns Digital notes that they’ve been dropped in sewers, on the bathroom floors in bars, in hospital bathrooms, in port-o-potties, in pots of rice, in bowls of soup, in dog’s water bowls, in dumpsters, in beer cups and in trash cans. Personally, my biggest fear is my phone slipping out of my hand and sliding down a drain or through the cracks over a drain, never to be seen again. One in three Americans admitted to even dropping their phone right into the toilet. Beware of that dangerous back pocket! But apparently, nothing can convince us to be more cautious with our phones, because 76% of Americans say they would be completely lost if they were suddenly without a phone. Yet we continue to drop, shatter and destroy them all the time…

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Put Son's PS4 Controllers In The Oven Last Night To Hide Them So He'd Go To Bed. Didn't Tell The Wife, Who Then Put Oven On This Morning

Put Son's PS4 Controllers In The Oven Last Night To Hide Them So He'd Go To Bed. Didn't Tell The Wife, Who Then Put Oven On This Morning

hi_robb Report

#14

Ferrari Enzo ($2.5 Million) Crashed By Delivery Driver Enroute To New Owner

Ferrari Enzo ($2.5 Million) Crashed By Delivery Driver Enroute To New Owner

World-Good Report

Phones aren’t the only electronic devices that are prone to having their life spans cut short, though. According to Secure Data Recovery, 38% of Americans have had to replace a laptop at some point in their lifetime due to one breaking. The most common laptop mishaps include dropping them, spilling a drink on them, cracking the screen, and needing to replace the battery. And these repairs aren’t cheap. On average, Americans spend about $534 on laptop repairs during their lifetimes. Certain states are also more reckless than others when it comes to their laptops, thought. In Nevada, New Hampshire, Maryland, Alabama and Mississippi, over 50% of laptop users admit to having broken one.    

#16

Recently Tried An Expensive Rental Clothing Subscription. UPS Threw The Package Of Clothes/Bags Into My Backyard. I Have Two Puppies

Recently Tried An Expensive Rental Clothing Subscription. UPS Threw The Package Of Clothes/Bags Into My Backyard. I Have Two Puppies

Mckinzel Report

Add photo comments
POST
lawrencethatcher avatar
Lawrencium
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of package deliverer sits and thinks: "You know what would be a good solution? Tossing the package over the fence! I definitely can't imagine anything going wrong with this."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Cable Guy Drills A Hole In The Side Of House, Into A Closet, Through A Guitar Case, And Right Through A Martin HD-28V

Cable Guy Drills A Hole In The Side Of House, Into A Closet, Through A Guitar Case, And Right Through A Martin HD-28V

kol_kay Report

Add photo comments
POST
janetbest avatar
Jake B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How much for that cable? Uh, well $4,000 for the hole and ….

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

If you’re now scared of your laptop meeting an untimely death, it might be useful to be aware of some of the most common mistakes that lead to a broken laptop. According to Make Use Of, laptop users need to be mindful of keeping their devices cool and avoiding situations where they’re exposed to excess heat. Laptops have fans to expel internal heat, but if the fan gets blocked, it can be extremely dangerous. “Some react to this and will shut down automatically. But others will suffer through the heat as they slowly bake to death,” Make Use Of explains. “Furniture, carpets, and blankets are all surfaces that can wreak havoc on a laptop. Wherever you place your laptop, make sure the vent has a clear path to do its job. Even a pile of books that's too close to your laptop can cause problems if the air exhaust is blocked.” 

#19

What Could Go Wrong With Putting Solar Panels Near A Golf Course?

What Could Go Wrong With Putting Solar Panels Near A Golf Course?

NeedleworkerBulky456 Report

#20

Delivery Robot Tries To Walk Across Undried Cement

Delivery Robot Tries To Walk Across Undried Cement

42how_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
susangreen_2 avatar
Susan Green
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This just proves that there are many things that shouldn’t be automated. Self driving vehicles scare me.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

20 Minutes After Closing The Sale Of My House The New Owners Sent Me These Photos

20 Minutes After Closing The Sale Of My House The New Owners Sent Me These Photos

The moving company lifted my container too high and smashed through the wall. That siding is no longer produced so the entire house needs to be re-sided.

pattywagon95 Report

Another potential threat to your laptop is ruining its disk drive. Be careful not to rattle your device too much, or it might take damage and cost you your data. “You can reduce the risk of HDD failure by only adjusting your laptop gently and not moving it when running a program that frequently accesses the hard drive,” Make Use Of writes. “Treat your laptop gently, with no quick movements. Even if your computer has an SSD, you should know the signs of SSD failure to detect problems early.”

#22

Friend Of Mine Posted This Photo Of The Job Site Today

Friend Of Mine Posted This Photo Of The Job Site Today

rabaful Report

Add photo comments
POST
eviefindsfossils avatar
Grudge-holding Treefrog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m just imagining it going “ GLOOP GLOOP GLOOP” down those stairs

rayceeyarayceeya avatar
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time for rubber boots and concrete rakes. Half a dozen laborers would have it cleared out in a couple hours. Long before it hardens. Still means an entire day of work on the site lost.

robert-thornburrow avatar
Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the line out of Four Weddings and a Funeral is appropriate that this point! "F**k f**k f**kity f**k".

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do you even deal with that? It dries pretty fast and that's a lot to clean up.

rileyhquinn avatar
Riley Quinn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohh, nooo, Mr. Bill. Looks like Mr. Hands and Sluggo made a mess and you're gonna be blamed.

kayjunmoon avatar
Kayjunmoon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like the stuff that fell through the ceiling of the other picture.

briandroste avatar
Brian Droste
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would also like to seen the top side.of the picture to see wharf was going on.

chuckycheezburger avatar
Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Start spreading and floating it smooth and say it's a heavy duty, sound dampening feature. 👍 Yeah, that's it. That sounds plausible,right?

armond_franklin1973 avatar
Ozymandias73
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm going out on a limb and going to say that "oops" isn't going to cut it this time.

kim_lorton avatar
Kim Lorton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was just cementing the call he made to make the stairs safer!

laurabuckner avatar
Laura Buckner
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

david2074 avatar
David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quick! Stick a bunch of river rocks in it and claim it is creative interior design evoking a natural aesthetic

iva_kazalova avatar
Iva Kazalova
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I gasped so loud i think i woke my flatmates up, this is when s**t really hit the fan 😱😱😱😱

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

This Happened In Blackhawk, South Dakota. 12 Neighbors Had To Evacuate Due To The Discovery Of A Cave That Is 40x40 And 40x60 Deep

This Happened In Blackhawk, South Dakota. 12 Neighbors Had To Evacuate Due To The Discovery Of A Cave That Is 40x40 And 40x60 Deep

Caveners went down to the "Sink" to see what was underground.

Andy1611 Report

#24

Been Waiting 6 Weeks For A Rather Expensive Toilet So We Can Fit It At A Client's House, It Has Finally Arrived

Been Waiting 6 Weeks For A Rather Expensive Toilet So We Can Fit It At A Client's House, It Has Finally Arrived

tommygun1234567890 Report

Aside from the actual laptop itself, it’s also important to take care of its cords and charger if you want to avoid purchasing any replacements. The cords are typically thin and easy to move, but they can only withstand so much stretching and contorting. “A common form of this issue occurs when someone wraps the cord over some other object to keep it bundled. Sometimes that object has sharp edges, which cut into the cord,” Make Use Of explains. “And this isn't just for obvious blunders like knives; a hard plastic edge is all it takes. In some cases, power adapters will even damage the cable if you wrap the cord around the brick.”

“Avoid this problem by bundling a cord over itself. Most cords come packaged this way when you receive them, and some include a little piece of Velcro you can use to keep the cord together. If your cable doesn't have Velcro, you can buy some yourself for cheap or use an adjustable zip tie. As a fallback, know how to roll a cable in a way that won't damage it.”

#25

On The First Night Of Vacation And We Go To Pull Out The Sofa Bed For The Kids And Hear A Loud Crunching Sound

On The First Night Of Vacation And We Go To Pull Out The Sofa Bed For The Kids And Hear A Loud Crunching Sound

Son’s iPhone fell between the cushions and got caught in the hinges of the bed frame.

flippity_dippity_doo Report

#27

Great-Grandfather Was An Airmail Pilot, Found These Photos With His Stuff

Great-Grandfather Was An Airmail Pilot, Found These Photos With His Stuff

Tillybug_Pug Report

Add photo comments
POST
artturf avatar
XenoMurph
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First plane that had vertical landing capability. Both of those are impressively intact, and impressively vertical.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda

Are you feeling like you need to bubble wrap everything you own right about now? Life is unpredictable, and we can never be sure when tragedies such as these will strike, but we can do our best to avoid them. Buy those protective phone cases, get great insurance and don’t be reckless with your valuables. Keep upvoting the pics that you find particularly painful, and then let us know in the comments if you’ve ever accidentally destroyed something valuable that would warrant a spot on this list. Then, if you’d like to see even more of these tragic photos, you can find a couple more Bored Panda lists on this topic here and here!

#28

New Guy At Work Made An Oopsie

New Guy At Work Made An Oopsie

LowNslow09 Report

Add photo comments
POST
janetbest avatar
Jake B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first glance I thought his pants were down, then I saw it was a shovel. I’m tired.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Neighbor Having Dead Tree Cut Down. The Contractor Made A Little Mistake

Neighbor Having Dead Tree Cut Down. The Contractor Made A Little Mistake

tcridley Report

Add photo comments
POST
marilynrussell avatar
Marilyn Russell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just a little one… And hopefully it was his own vehicle and not a poor neighbour’s. Why he wouldn’t ensure any vehicle in the possible line of fire was removed, I don’t know.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

When You Want The Luxury But Can't Afford The Extra 100 Dollar For The Safety Feature

When You Want The Luxury But Can't Afford The Extra 100 Dollar For The Safety Feature

BA3K3N Report

Add photo comments
POST
denver_3 avatar
Den Ver
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, now they get to run around with their top down. Everyone likes that.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

A Stray Bullet On New Year's Eve Lands In A Guy's Phone At Beirut Airport

A Stray Bullet On New Year's Eve Lands In A Guy's Phone At Beirut Airport

JoeJml Report

#34

Forgetting About Your $5,000 Bike On Your Roof Rack As You Pull Into The Garage

Forgetting About Your $5,000 Bike On Your Roof Rack As You Pull Into The Garage

richard_67 Report

#35

Someone Crashed A GT2 RS While On A Test Drive In LA

Someone Crashed A GT2 RS While On A Test Drive In LA

ihasRyzen Report

#36

My Neighbor Spent A Ton Of Money On A Granite Mailbox Post. They Used An “O” Instead Of A Zero To Make The Street Number. It Annoys Me Every Time I Walk By

My Neighbor Spent A Ton Of Money On A Granite Mailbox Post. They Used An “O” Instead Of A Zero To Make The Street Number. It Annoys Me Every Time I Walk By

mollymoose75 Report

#37

Toddler Learned How To Use The Microwave

Toddler Learned How To Use The Microwave

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
eviefindsfossils avatar
Grudge-holding Treefrog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A delicious main course of toddler shoe with a side of melted Xbox controller lightly seasoned with batteries

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Bought My Husband This Expensive Knife For Christmas... He Put The Knife Through The Dishwasher

Bought My Husband This Expensive Knife For Christmas... He Put The Knife Through The Dishwasher

ranchtacosalad Report

#39

My Friend’s 2 Labradors Spent His Stimulus Money While He Was At Work

My Friend’s 2 Labradors Spent His Stimulus Money While He Was At Work

caffeinatedelirium Report

Add photo comments
POST
atkinsdan avatar
Daniel Atkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is enough of the bills remaining that a bank will replace it with a whole bill.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Yesterday, Sinkhole Opened Under Private Pool In Israel, And 1 Person Missing

Yesterday, Sinkhole Opened Under Private Pool In Israel, And 1 Person Missing

MaliTheMinecraftCat Report

Add photo comments
POST
courtneylapoint avatar
Cat_Goddess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw the video and it's pretty upsetting. The poor man was sucked back down into the hole and drowned. I believe another man was trying to grab him but couldn't hold on. The family that owns the house is being investigated (happened last summer) for not having a permit to build this pool.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#42

Someone Left A Grill On In The Parking Lot At The Dolphins-Patriots Game

Someone Left A Grill On In The Parking Lot At The Dolphins-Patriots Game

sweettouch007 Report

Add photo comments
POST
sean-mccrimmon avatar
Zephyr343
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew the Dolphins were a dumpster fire, but I didn't think they were THAT bad

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

Company Didn't Want To Pay To Fix The Heaters. Now They Have To Pay To Replace The Plumbing, Fix 4 Of 6 Client-Owned Networks, And Fix The Heaters

Company Didn't Want To Pay To Fix The Heaters. Now They Have To Pay To Replace The Plumbing, Fix 4 Of 6 Client-Owned Networks, And Fix The Heaters

bandley3 Report

#44

Spent Over 100 Dollars On Expensive Aquarium Carpeting Plants. My Goldfish Both Uprooted And Ate All Of Them In The Span Of 5 Minutes

Spent Over 100 Dollars On Expensive Aquarium Carpeting Plants. My Goldfish Both Uprooted And Ate All Of Them In The Span Of 5 Minutes

Chichen-Itza-Pizza Report

#45

Tech Repair Client Did This To 'Combat Overheating'

Tech Repair Client Did This To 'Combat Overheating'

BrysonicLightning Report

#46

When You Own An Expensive Car And A Naughty Dog

When You Own An Expensive Car And A Naughty Dog

Aquagenie Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#48

Ice Makers Failed To Store Ice (Picture After 2 Days Of Melting)

Ice Makers Failed To Store Ice (Picture After 2 Days Of Melting)

dhudd32 Report

#49

Just Bought My First House. Was Told There Was Hardwood Under All The Carpet. Looks Like I’ll Be Spending Too Much Money On New Flooring Now

Just Bought My First House. Was Told There Was Hardwood Under All The Carpet. Looks Like I’ll Be Spending Too Much Money On New Flooring Now

I tested a discreet corner in the closet before, which did in fact have hardwood beneath. But not the living room. 

Ezack Report

Add photo comments
POST
marilynrussell avatar
Marilyn Russell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, on the brighter side, I have faith in your ability to make it will look great.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

$6 For This Tiny Smoothie

$6 For This Tiny Smoothie

VworksComics Report

Note: this post originally had 127 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.