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64 Times People Refused To Replace An Outdated Product And Didn’t Regret It (New Pics)
The world is filled with lots of mass-produced junk: Fast food, fast fashion, fast furniture, fast everything. Nowadays, it feels like we’ve just bought something and a short while later, we’re replacing it again. Either because it broke, went out of fashion, a better version hit the shelves, or we simply got bored.
It's a far cry from back in the day, when our grandparents spent money on the things they knew would last. It's no wonder they mutter, "They don't make them like they used to." But not everyone has been sucked into the trap of unnecessary consumerism. There are still people who believe in quality over quantity. They might have a shiny modern kitchen but on top of the counter sits an espresso machine, bought for $20 two decades ago.
'Buy It For Life' is an online community dedicated to showcasing things that have stood the test of time. It's filled with awesome photos of practical, durable and quality-made products that are still in near-perfect condition. Bored Panda has put together a list of some of the best pics. Many might have you thinking twice before replacing a perfectly-working appliance.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Bought This Espresso Machine Used For $25, 20 Years Ago. Still Works Great!
RELATED:
#2
I Found My Late Grandad’s Pen. His First Journal Is Dated 1948, A Year After This Pen Was Released. It Still Had Ink In It. It’s Working Just Fine. No Restoration. Almost 80 Years Of Use
#3
Bought These Clarks Desert Boots Almost 20 Years Ago And They Just Get Better Looking With Age And No Signs Of Giving Up Any Time Soon
Rali Meyer 23 hours ago
My DrMartens are from the late 80s... And they didn't have an easy life. Finally needed new soles
It seems like some products are purposely made to be replaced while others are built to last a lifetime. And while certain people have no problem wasting money, others know better. It's can be tempting to purchase something cheap, thinking that you're saving a few bucks.
But often, you might be sacrificing quality, and paying a lot more in the long-run. Not only is it a major expense to constantly have to replace products, it's also really bad for the environment.
#4
The Kmart Fan That Will Outlive Your Hopes And Dreams
#5
My Dad Bought This Jacket In 1985 And Wore It Every Winter. Now It’s Mine!
#6
Probably A Controversial Bifl Because It's Luxury And Not Practical, But Buying Used Designer Bags And Refurbishing Them Is My Hobby. This Bag Is 30 Years Old Next Month!
You might think that the more expensive a product, the better the quality. But that's not always the case. Take clothing, for example. One study, conducted by the University of Leeds, found that many items on the lower end of the price scale far out-performed the higher-end options. They came to this conclusion by testing the durability of hoodies, jeans and t-shirts in different price ranges.
"The quality of clothing has decreased with the dawn of fast fashion," reports Remake.com. "To keep costs low, brands and manufacturers have been opting for cheaper fabrics and scrimping on finishings."
#7
Here We Go For Their Second Life! 70s-80s Tupperware
Upstaged75 1 day ago
Love it! Tupperware now sells vintage looking items just like this. They're pretty costly though. I've been coveting them for a while.
#8
Took My 1982 Gravely 8162-B Out Of Winter Storage Today, And Got It Ready For The Mowing Season. Hard To Find Anything Built As Tough As This Vintage Machine Today
#9
A Truly Bifl Appliance For $20 On Marketplace
Upstaged75 1 day ago
My mom still has this exact one that she got as a wedding gift in 1970. It works perfectly.
A 2023 survey, conducted by UK environmental charity Hubub, found that “on average, people expect 26 washes from a £10 ($12) t-shirt before it starts to break down/not look good, compared to 42 washes from a £100 ($125) t-shirt. They expected 30 washes from a £20 ($25) pair of jeans compared to 44 washes from a £100 ($125) pair of jeans.”
But based on the Leeds researchers' findings, the consumers might be misjudging the durability of their clothing. And this can have a negative impact on the environment.
#10
This Is My 1960s Electrolux
#11
Intellimouse Optical - 25 Years And Still Used Daily!
keyboardtek 10 hours ago
My first computer and mouse was an Apple Power Mac 8500. It is 30 years old and I still use it daily to compose music. It has never once crashed or failed to power up.
#12
Eley Hose Nozzle Freakin’ Rocks
If a garment is durable and lasts long, consumers are likely to purchase fewer replacement garments. They're also more likely to keep their items for longer. This equals less clothing ending up in landfills, and a happier planet.
So how do you know if you're buying a good quality garment of it's not all about the price of the item?
One way, say Remake's experts, is to inspect the inside. There are few signs you might find that point to quality. For example, if the hem is sewn down thoroughly, it’s a good sign. If it’s loose, it’s at risk of snagging.
#13
A Comb I Bought In The 80s And Still Use Every Day
otiose (foxtrot delta tango) 1 day ago
I have this same comb from the same time period!! The tip colors are wearing off on mine.
#14
Installed In 1978. Still Going Strong
Kya Ajiira 11 hours ago
Problem with this is parts and whatnot are discontinued and systems not always to today's standards and regulations.
#15
A Spoon That Fed Me When I Started Having Semi Solid Food More Than 50 Years Ago
otiose (foxtrot delta tango) 1 day ago (edited)
Utensils tend to last if you hang onto them. I have a cereal spoon I sent away for with boxtops from the 1970s *with my name on it*!
"The size of stitching is also a good indicator – small stitches require more time and care and are more durable compared with long stitching which could be a sign of cutting corners," reveals the site. "Also check for any flaws such as threads coming undone."
If the item has a lining, check how it feels on your skin. A higher quality, say the experts, should be comfortable and not make you feel itchy, icky, or sticky. The buttons and zippers can also tell you something. Good quality garments won't have cheap, plasticky-looking buttons that aren't sewn on securely.
#16
My Grandparents Got This Fridge For Free When They Bought Their House In 1968. It’s Never Needed Repairs And Still Works Like A Charm
#17
Backpack My Mom Bought Her Freshman Year Of College, Handed It Down To Me When I Started School (I'm 27) And Still Use It Everyday For Work
Alisha Natzel 1 day ago
My kids were given new ones and the zipper broke on both after 2 weeks of school. Sad waste. I don't have time to fix or repurpose.
#18
Finally Found A Set Of Speed Queen Commercial Washer And Dryer
Lyoness 12 hours ago
Our washer and dryer came with the home we bought 25 years ago and this week was the first time we had to service either of them. Mr Lyoness found spare parts online for less than $20 and bam! Working perfectly again. Meanwhile my brother has replaced his fancy top load digital jobbies 3 times in the same time period. I'll keep my old stuff TUVM.
Whether it's an item of clothing, a vacuum cleaner or furniture, it pays to buy durable products.
"Products that are designed to be reusable and uphold their quality over time reduce the need for replacements, and therefore the amount of waste generated," notes Eurofins Sustainability Services. "The manufacture of new products requires significant energy, raw materials, and water. The waste generated from discarded products also contributes significantly to environmental degradation."
#19
I’m In My Late 30’s And Just Purchased My First (Non Smart) Watch. How’d I Do?
#20
Legends Never Waste! Ge Clock Radio
#21
My Grandfather's 60-70 Year Old Wooden Clothes Brush. Still Works Perfectly And Keeps All My Clothes Looking Beautiful
Some companies that are confident in a product's durability and quality will include a lifetime guarantee... or longer.
One skillet, for example, has a 'multi-century warranty,' so even when you're no longer around, your great-grandkids can still make use of it. "Rather than using Teflon, the skillet is oil-seasoned to make it non-stick," reports Business Insider. "This means you never need to worry about replacing it when the non-stick fades, as oil-seasoning can also be done at home."
#23
Two Bifl Items On The Same Goodwill Trip. A KitchenAid Mixer And A Little La Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Pan
#24
My Aunt’s Refrigerator From The Late 70s. I Think It’s Beautiful
Geoffrey Scott 19 hours ago
The reason it's still useful is it's dumb. No circuit boards at all.
If you're looking for 'Buy For Life' products, it helps to search for those with a lifetime warranty. This doesn't necessarily mean your lifetime.
"If you purchase an item because it comes with a lifetime warranty or guarantee, make sure you keep the receipt and remember where you kept the receipt," reports MoneyTalks News. "Many of these offers require proof of purchase and do not extend to purchases through resellers."
And don't forget to check whether you need to register your product to qualify for the lifetime warranty.
#25
Thrifted This Ekornes Stressless Chair For $30, Is It Legit?
#26
70+ Year Old Water Heater Still In Use
#27
20 Years And Going Strong
#28
German Haarschneidemaschine From 1950. Got It For 20€ And Its Never Been Used :)
#29
R.i.p Hair Brush. My Grandmother's Hair Brush She Got From A Door To Door Sales Men
#30
Bought This Pot With My First Apartment 15+ Years Ago. Now I Feed My Family With It 🥹
#31
Patagonia Repair Program
BarkingSquirell 10 hours ago
Patagonia isn't the brand it once was. I bought almost $400 rain gear for backpacking and it wasn't waterproof.
#32
My Mom's Tupperware From The 1970's
otiose (foxtrot delta tango) 1 day ago
I always found it hard to clean those grooves. Need a toothpick and a soaking.
#33
Purchased With My First Tax Return In 1986
Upstaged75 1 day ago
I have an Igloo cooler from the 80's with my last name written on it in permanent marker. It's last outing was white water tubing about 10 years ago. It went over a small waterfall too, but came out just fine. I however ended up with a bloody elbow. 😁
#34
36 Year Old Toddler Jacket. Was Mine, And Now Handed Down To My Oldest Son. It Will Be Handed Down To My Youngest In A Couple Years. A 3 Generation Coat. Perfect Condition
#35
Found My "Whale" At The Flea Market
Daniel Atkins 11 hours ago
I still have mine from about 30 year ago. Almost never leave home without it.
#36
35+ Years Of Service
otiose (foxtrot delta tango) 1 day ago
I *wish* I had discovered epilators that long ago (me + sharp object ≠ good) - that's back when they first came out!
#37
Found For 3 Euros At The Thrift Store- End Grain Cutting Board
#38
My Sister Asked Me What I Wanted For My Christmas. I Said A Braun Shaver. Her Hubby Retorted, "What's Wrong With A Remington"? That Was 35 Years Ago.
#40
My Tilley Hat - Used Constantly For 31 Years And Counting
#41
Almost A Decade Of Daily Use. Zojirushi Is Still The Most Reliable Thing In My Kitchen
#42
12 Year Daily Carry Nite Ize Carabiner Came In A 2 Pack; Found The Other Unused Today. They Were Both Black
#43
Peugeot Bali Fonte Pepper Mill - This Thing Is A Beast!
#44
They Don’t Make Things Like This Anymore. Send $ 0.75 To This Address For …
#45
New Speedqueen Tc5/Dc5
#46
Easily One Of My Best Goodwill Finds Yet, A Luxo Color Correct For Only $10
#47
My Grandmother’s Katsuobushi Planer (Dried Bonito Flake Shaver). Still Works Perfectly:)))
#48
Logitech Z-2300 Used Daily For Almost 20 Years. Got Them For Christmas In 2006 From Circuit City
#49
My 1980s Nylon Goody Comb
#50
My Grandfather’s 60-70 Year Old Natural Whetstone. Still Sharpening Knife Today
#51
16 Years Later, I’m Still Using This Harmony Remote. Just Programmed It For My Xbox Series X
#52
Ibm Flashdrive With 256mb That Costed Me A Fortune In 2001 And Still Works Flawlessly In 2026
#53
Birks: ~6 Years Near Daily Wear (R) vs. Brand New Pair (L)
Upstaged75 1 day ago
You should have gotten new ones a year or so ago. I've never had one crack like that before - what they heck were they doing??
#54
My Bifl Stud Finder (It’s Literally Just A Magnet)
#55
50 Year Old Kmart Box Fan
#56
After 50 Years In Service It's Time To Say Goodbye
#57
Received A KitchenAid And A Braun Immersion Blender At Our Wedding Shower, Which To Keep?
#58
After 30 Years, I Can Finally Say That The N64 Is Buy It For Life
Nikki Sevven 11 hours ago
That's nothing. I still have my Nintendo grey box, my SNES, and my Sega Genesis. They all work perfectly.
#59
The Most Durable Fan In The World
#61
Birkenstock Profis Are Now Terrible
#63
My Sandals Can Change Size!
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What do you think ?
T'Mar of Vulcan 13 hours ago
My mother bought a set of stainless steel pots from Game (known as a 'cheap' shop; it's now owned by the same company that owns Walmart so I don't shop there anymore) in the early '90s. They are still perfect and perfect for cooking in. I even burnt one out boiling sausages just after we got them, and after some cleaning the pot was good as new. And still is!
Pink Panda 3 hours ago
The quilt on my bed was my birthday present when I turned 4. I just turned 43 which means it was probably made 40 years ago. It has been used daily (always with covers) and washed about twice a year. Still in perfect condition except the colour had faded a bit -it is purple with water lilies 🥰
Scott Rackley 9 hours ago
I still use my grandfather's Stanley thermos daily. Works better than new ones.
T'Mar of Vulcan 13 hours ago
My mother bought a set of stainless steel pots from Game (known as a 'cheap' shop; it's now owned by the same company that owns Walmart so I don't shop there anymore) in the early '90s. They are still perfect and perfect for cooking in. I even burnt one out boiling sausages just after we got them, and after some cleaning the pot was good as new. And still is!
Pink Panda 3 hours ago
The quilt on my bed was my birthday present when I turned 4. I just turned 43 which means it was probably made 40 years ago. It has been used daily (always with covers) and washed about twice a year. Still in perfect condition except the colour had faded a bit -it is purple with water lilies 🥰
Scott Rackley 9 hours ago
I still use my grandfather's Stanley thermos daily. Works better than new ones.
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