I often hear, “You should never cheap out on a good office chair, shoes, underpants, backpack etc…” but what are some items that you would feel OK to cheap out on?

This can by anything from items such as: expensive clothing brands to general groceries.

  • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
    427·
    11 months ago

    Things which are commodity items, such as sugar, all-purpose flour, etc. I buy store brand. The main difference is marketing.

    Oh, here’s one: Power tools. Yeah I know, I know. But…

    here’s a Porter-Cable branded 6-inch jointer on sale for $365 at time of writing.

    Here’s a Craftsman branded jointer being sold for $299.

    Here’s a Wen branded jointer for $241.

    Look at the three of them. They bear a striking resemblance, don’t they? Makes sense for the Porter Cable/Craftsman ones, both brands are currently owned by Stanley, Black and Decker…but Wen has nothing to do with them, yet they’re selling the same fuggin’ jointer. Admittedly without the speed control, but what do you need a speed control on a jointer for?

    It’s the same tool made in the same factory in China, the cost difference is what logo you’re willing to pay for.

    • totallynotarobot@lemmy.world
      33·
      11 months ago

      At minimum the cheap ones have lower QA tolerances on components. Sometimes they straight up swap in shittier components (eg: plastic instead of metal, etc).

      Not saying you always need the most expensive option when choosing power tools, but looks same != same.

      • jkrtn@lemmy.ml
        8·
        11 months ago

        I agree. For power tools, especially where decent accuracy is key like it is with a jointer, definitely more of a “do your research, price is not equal to quality,” not “you can do fine with any cheap one.”

    • INHALE_VEGETABLES
      22·
      11 months ago

      A rule that I stole for tools is to buy a used or cheap one. If it breaks I buy the better version. If it don’t break then I don’t need it at all.

      • FauxPseudo @lemmy.world
        6·
        11 months ago

        Harbor Freight first. If it breaks then Festool.

        Just kidding. I can’t afford Festool. If the Hercules breaks I get Makita. So far I haven’t had one break. Though I probably need to get the corded circular saw because even the best battery ones choke on wet treated boards.

        • bradorsomething@ttrpg.network
          2·
          11 months ago

          In the US, DeWalt and Milwaukee are tradesman-grade tools if you get the 18V-20V versions. But I agree that the average person can buy any Ryobi or Harbor Freight special and get by fine.

      • Ben Hur Horse Race@lemm.ee
        2·
        11 months ago

        yeah thats a great stategy. Not sure where you are but in Europe, Aldi and Lidl have the notorious “center isle” where one can buy hand and bench tools, all the way up to band saws.

        I broke my shitty center isle heat gun and now have a makita, outgrew my butane soldering iron and now have a webber, but I’m still rocking my center isle reciprecating saw and circular saw cause they work just fine and I dont use them enough.