Buyer's remorse is a real thing. As far as anyone goes, if you've ever shopped, you've probably made a bad purchase here and there. This Bored Panda thread was dedicated to the most regretful instances of buyer's remorse. Check out what our brilliant community has submitted!

If you want to get the gist of it, here's a summary of the thread. While many described their regretful purchases that were pretty common, like a bad tech item, some had some brilliant insights that many unexpectedly related with. Bought exercise gear that you barely use? Turns out, you're not alone, perhaps even in the majority. Other submissions were a tad bit more strange, but all the more interesting. And, of course, there are many more truly brilliant stories that are best told by the authors themselves.

#1

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community A few years ago, Cadbury claimed they would stop selling their choco bars in the USA. I bought a gazillion of 'em. They're still available in the USA and they're fresh. Not like the evil choco-things taking up space in my pantry. As a door stop.

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#2

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community My treadmill, elliptical, spin bike… each one with the promise to exercise more. Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Consider this, if you were to get rid of them, where would you dump your clothes?

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#3

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community A college degree. I haven't been able to use it at all. I got BS's (Law Enforcement and Forensic Anthropology) and a BA (Pre-Law). Couldn't get a job. Then went back to a Community College for an Associates of Applied Science in Accounting. Now working for an international firm making the most money I've ever earned. Wish I'd known before wasting all that money.

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#4

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community An air fryer that I've used once in 6 months.

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Ashamba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I encourage you to try it again- my SO makes onion bhaji from scratch in ours - better than our local Indian takeaway, he also does breaded chicken to rival the Colonel... and the chips (fries/potato wedges) are soooo good, and ooooh the breaded garlic mushrooms! All this sounds like awfully naughty food, but done in the air fryer it's not nearly so unhealthy! I consider our air fryer to be one of our best kitchen investments.

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chrissy goodman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i use mine all the time i got a recipe book that jas breakfast lunch dinner snacks and desserts in it

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chrissy goodman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i also didnt buy mine lol wedding registry for the win but soooooo happy i put it on it

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

My oven broke 2months ago. I havnt bothered fixing it as I use the airfryer and everything is so much easier

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Corey Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be sad without mine. Such a time and energy saver, plus if you use it for the rights foods, it does a phenomenal job.

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T'Mar of Vulcan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An air fryer can also be used to reinvigorate food like chips (fries) that have been refrigerated. Instead of heating my chips or pizza in the microwave, I put them in the air fryer and put it on 180 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes. The stuff tastes like it was just made!

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Be Potato
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, this post reminded me that I have an air fryer in my house... I forgot about it. The last time I used it was probably 3 months ago.

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Maarja Lember
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use my airfryer almost every day and it's the best kitchen supply I have ever bought!

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

I LOVE my air fryer!! I use it all the time. It cooks things so good, I barely use my oven or microwave anymore. You must give it another shot!

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Erin Mitchell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use my air fryer so much that I never bought a microwave when i moved to a new apartment without one. And I just roasted a whole chicken in mine. Between that and my instant pot I never use my oven. If I feel like baking a lot I go to my aunt's house bc she has an oven from the space age. I swear that thing has 100 buttons and I only know what a handful of them do lol.

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ERIKA H.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Airfryers are amazing!!! This person needs to do a bit more research. Veggies, meat, taters, eggs! I air fry everything!

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g90814
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My convection/toaster oven is on it's last legs. I may buy one that's also an air fryer next. Have never used the regular oven in my apt (except for storage), convection oven is the shizz.

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

That's a shame because they're so handy, efficient and make wonderfully crispy food.

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Honu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have one that's a countertop convection oven/toaster oven/air fryer. I use it all the time. It fits a 1/4 sheet pan or a fairly large casserole dish, so it's great as a second oven when I'm making big holiday meals. I'll use it instead of my main oven for smaller things since it heats up faster. I don't think I'd get one of those air fryers with the little drawer where that's all they do, though.

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Craig Reynolds
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like my air fryer. I don't use it often but when I do it's outside on the back lanai so I don't heat up the kitchen and cause the HVAC to run more thereby saving energy.

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Howard McCartney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use my air fryer for chicken wings. Some times for fries. Does chicken wings real good.

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Yasmin Janette
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i use mine daily, they are brill, you can cook so many things in them. I do not have a cooker/oven, i have a hotplate, a combination microwave and the air fryer. I am 80 years old and disabled and I manage well with these items

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Kate Lawler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chicken legs in the air fryer with garlic and herb salt on he, omg amazing the skin is crispy and the meat is so juicy I use my air fryer for every meal almost every day it is amazing

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Nancy Wilson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe you bought the wrong one. Most of them are fantastic and use less energy. I don't recommend Vortex plus though. I hate it

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Kantami Blossom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought a one for my father which took him a year to get it out of the box and now three years later I don't think he's ever used it.

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Rainy Day Wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just got one... I haven't used it... I can't think of what to do because I've never had an oven and since I hate oil making a mess I never fry stuff... so I know it will be useful when I find things to cook with it, I just need time

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Annie Steele
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have one each, used every day .. you're missing out on so much ..

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

I haven’t used mine in over a year, I prefer the oven.

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cbjowhoooa19
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use mine to make roasted chicken and veggies, baked fish, and other healthy good. Rarely fry in it. Super fast and more efficient than using the big oven.

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Steve Ramaekers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Share this sentiment!!! My husband loves his air fryer. I hate the thing. Just another oven we don’t need. Takes up rediculous space. Have to clean the damn thing. No difference in quality, time, etc from using my oven or toaster oven. Useless.

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kaylynn L
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fear that if I got one, all I would eat is different forms of frozen fried potatoes, being to impatient waiting for the oven to pre heat and the time it takes to cook them is the only thing stopping me now.

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Jake B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someday my child will be done making Chicken strips and fries (chips) and let me try it.

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Hutt'nKloas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the kitchens best buy we did last years. We love fried food but dont want to use so much oil/fat. Besides that its perfect for many other recepies as well.

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Erin Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh wow. I paid almost $500 for my air fryer and hardly ever use my oven anymore.

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LynzCatastrophe
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got one for Christmas. I'm glad I didn't pay for it because I use it less than I thought I would, but I still use it frequently. It's worth it when I do. I just get lazy because my kitchen is tiny so my small appliances often go into hiding till I need them. Out of sight, out of mind.... I think I'll have fish for dinner. I do regret my purchase of an instant pot though. Has many functions and the only one I've used is the slow cooker function. Which I also have 🤣

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Charles Roberts
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use my 'Actifry' about four times a week, don't know what I did before we bought it

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

We use our airfryer weekly. Sometimes multiple times a week.

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

This, like many on this list, is particular to each person. I have had my air fryer for about a year and use it 2-3 times a week.

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The Deez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL! This is my but with an InstaPot! Everyone went on and on and on about how fantastic it is so my husband bought one for me for my birthday a couple of years ago. I now use it to make hard boiled eggs and that's IT!

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Jose Carlo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a loser! There are tens of thousands of recipe's for an air fryer! You . . . are . . . LAZY!

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Chevygirl 1893
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing more than a glorified table top oven. Great if given as a gift but other than that just a waste of space and money.

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#5

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community I bought a tablet around 5 years ago thinking I will use it for work. I used it a few times out of curiosity but never used it for work as it wasn't efficient at all for me. It's just too small for work and movies, and that's basically all I use my computer for. So it ended up being an expensive useless purchase I still have on my shelf collecting dust. It wasn't touched for a few years. I should have sold it or donated it but here we are.

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Donate it to a school. With this working.... from home im sure there is someone who cant afford one and could really help them out

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#6

A Time Share. Worst idea in the world. Can't use it and can't get rid of it. Costing thousands a year in fees.

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A.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To each their own when it comes to timeshares. I've got good friends who love theirs, other friends who've been trying to unload for years now.

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#7

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community My first tattoo. I walked in and picked a piece of flash off the wall featuring a Chinese word that (you guessed it) was badly translated. Every other tattoo I have has either been designed by me or I worked with the artist to design it. Technically I still have my first tattoo, I just got it covered up.

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Easily Excitable Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first time I got a tattoo, I brought in my own design. The artist said, "Good for you for not choosing flash." As a novice, I had no idea what he was talking about, and vaguely wondered if showing my boobs would get me a discount. (The Catholic schoolgirl in me was horrified by the thought!)

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#8

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community In fourth grade, I bought a rabbit pelt on a field trip at Waterloo Village because it was soft. It's definitely in the house somewhere. Yes, I'm an animal lover and it hurts me a bit to see it.

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Ashamba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went on a French Exchange trip to the French Alps when I was 11... All the gift shops had little souvenirs (key fobs, random ornaments) with rabbit or marmot fur... Yes I bought one, and yes, I kept it for years to remind myself how stupidly easily I'm won over by strokable stuff, but to think about what I'm buying into.

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#9

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community When I was in my mid twenties, I was single and had a good paying job. Mind you this was in the 1990s. I went to dillards and bought this genuine leather jacket that cost around $500. I wore it maybe 6 times because I didn’t want to get it wet but it couldn’t keep me warm at all. I still have it in my closet just sitting there, reminding me of how stupid I was to purchase it.

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#10

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community This one time I brought an iPad case from Amazon as an early birthday present. I really loved it. Then about a week later I had my birthday party. My mum told all her friends about the case I loved, no about a third of them bought it. Since it was $45 I was touched, but now I had four iPad cases and no one I knew had an iPad except me!

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#11

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community My truck. Couldn't drive it within 30 min of purchase. Spent $10,000 on it in 14 months.

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#12

Does an unfinished degree count? I'm still paying off the loans so it's still hanging over me..

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Frances M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Transfer the credits you did get to a course in a cheaper college and get a cert in something you do like in a faster time then starting from scratch. Also works for online courses and colleges in different countries.

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#13

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community The iPad/iPhone chargers that hardly even function.

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#14

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community Workout equipments😅

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#15

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community 50 beanie babies. Still want more.

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#16

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community NVIDIA 3D glasses before VR was still fiction. Used them twice and never again since the glasses were too heavy for my nose. The pain wasn't worth the slight 3D...

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Francisco Garcia Bustamante
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 3D tv, lasted 10 years before broke down last year, and i only used like twice a year with the 3D on

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#17

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community Not me but my mom. Shoutout to metro.

She needed a new phone and bought a new anderoid. The manager charged her $532 and gave her headphones she didnt even want. Then my mom went home and did the math. It only cost $432. We gave up on trying to sue because unless the cameras caught the scam on tape we would have no evicence

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#18

An $88 karaoke machine I bought from Walmart 5 years ago. We never get to use it as we live in an apartment and the times we have tried using it the quality is no better than the kids karaoke toy my daughter had. Plastic mic, music significantly lowers when you add your voice but as soon as you stop it the music goes loud creating a disorienting pitch problem. Apparently you can add lyrics displayed on the TV but I was never able to figure it out. It's been just sitting there for years. It's better worth the money to go out to my favourite karaoke joint.... how I miss going out to karaoke.

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#19

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community I got these hair clips/ties off Amazon and they are to big and we’re made of plastic (the pictures looked like they were metal and the description didn’t say) but yeah I spent 15$ on junk and I see them every day on my shelf :D

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Easily Excitable Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe you can use them to keep open bagged items fresh? (I'm thinking of things like potato chips.) At least you'd get some use out of them.

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#20

Idk if it counts but a crappy tattoo that has not aged well.

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Channon Doughty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That definitely counts! I mean that's are literally WITH you forever, not just in a closet, shelf or drawer

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#21

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community Happy meal Toys. What do I do with them?
And the little cheap useless toys at the the cash register.

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Ashamba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, these things should never be produced- it's just plastic waste. Serves no purpose except to make kids want low quality sugary food even more than they already do. Ban plastic cr@p.

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#22

A house! The mortgage is killing me! Only 20 years to go before it is mine and will be paying almost double in total than what I 'bought' it for.

€200k was the price, will have paid 380k when I'm done.... And the house is worth 350 now. (And that'll buy me 75% of the space on the current market)

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#23

An Elmo toy— scares the crap out of me

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#25

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community A 350-euro Samsung phone. It cracked its screen on its own after one week when the alarm went off on vibrate mode on an uneven table. I never replaced the screen but I use it for international calls.

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#26

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community About €500 worth of hair weaves. I keep changing my hair color so I can no longer wear them since they don’t match my actual hair color anymore and have to get a new one made. Such a waste…

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#27

30 Things That People Regret Buying, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community A $400.00 piece of art that I could have paid maybe $30.00 for the poster print.
Don't get me wrong; beautiful piece but $400.00!?

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#28

Very expensive hiking boots... but I'm going to return them 😉

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got my hiking boots at a Tractor Supply store! Seriously, they were great boots and lasted about 10 years before developing a tear, I got the new pair at the same place. Companies that build shoes that are mean to be worn on muddy farms don't mess around with comfort, waterproofing, or durability, or their customers would never buy a second pair.

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