What consumer product are you most ashamed of buying? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

housejunk · 02-07-2007, 04:27 PM

In the wake of all this talk regarding the insane Calgary market, ridiculous salaries and the overall, creeping consumerism that seems to be invading our fine city's sub-concious, what is the one thing in the past year that you've purchased that is so grotesque, so over the top that you're slightly ashamed to admit it?

For me, its a no-brainer. My wife actually had a "doggie-shower" installed in our downstairs cloak room. She was sick and tired of washing our two huge labs in the guest bathroom. I will admit that I used to take some peverse pleasure knowing that her leech of a sister (who stayed with us after University for seven months rent-free) was unknowingly taking long baths in there.

SeeGeeWhy · 02-07-2007, 04:30 PM

HAHAHA!

I am pretty sure I got carried away with the TV we picked up over the holidays.

That doggie shower sounds quite hilarious.

Sylvanfan · 02-07-2007, 04:35 PM

My wife absolutely berated and guilted me until I finally gave in and let her get a new couch and loveseat. Part of a so called great deal from Finesse home living where we got a complementary 52" T.V. as part of a package for $3500. We did not need it and I hate myself for giving in on it. I think we absolutely got raked over the coals on that one and wish I'd claimed to be too sick to leave the house that day in hindsight. Whenever she complains to me about us not ever going on any trips, I point to this crap and tell her I thought you NEEDED that. Rant over.

RougeUnderoos · 02-07-2007, 04:49 PM

I bought some ridiculously overpriced long underwear at MEC and as I walked out the store feeling stupid I said "if this isn't the most comfortable set of ginch in the world I'm bringing 'em back". I took them back. I also bought a pair of Penguin sneakers that I put in the closet when I got home from the store and haven't taken out since. Not exactly ritzy shoes but a completely pointless waste of money.

This town is ######ed. I was in a jean store one day and the dame says "how much are you willing to spend" and I said (stupidly) "it depends on how much I like the jeans" so she points to a rack of and says "these start at $450" or something ridiculous like that. "I don't like anything that much" I think I replied. You can get jeans that cost a lot more than that. Someone is obviously buying 'em.

Engine09 · 02-07-2007, 05:12 PM

I was going to say my 55" SOny HDTV, but it's paid for and watching hockey and movies on it is great. Actually, I'd consider it money well spent.

I-Hate-Hulse · 02-07-2007, 05:14 PM

This isn't over the top, but it's grotesque and I'm quite ashamed I bought it.

The Singer Handi-Stitch.

No it doesn't work. Yes, I was a bachelor when I bought it.
"It seems so good.....how can I go wrong?......"

Eastern Girl · 02-07-2007, 05:21 PM

I bought a pancake flipper. This little contraption thingie is supposed to make perfect looking pancakes and it's supposed to prevent burning. However, there is no possible way that you can flip it without getting batter everywhere, the batter sticks and burns. Just a terrible product. It was devastating, I really thought it was going to work and I would be able to make nice looking non burned pancakes. Haven't gotten over it yet.

photon · 02-07-2007, 05:23 PM

See, I think if the doggie shower saves her time and headache, it's worth the purchase! A happy wife and all that

I'd probably say our new TV as well, though it's "only" 40". We got it not because we *needed* a new TV, but because we wanted to get new furniture for a room in the house and the TV in that room was a huge glass TV, so we moved the LCD from downstairs up there and got the new LCD.

My wife and I are pretty good and keeping each other from the really bad impulse purchases. And for those other times it's good to have a return policy

housejunk · 02-07-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastern Girl

I bought a pancake flipper. This little contraption thingie is supposed to make perfect looking pancakes and it's supposed to prevent burning. However, there is no possible way that you can flip it without getting batter everywhere, the batter sticks and burns. Just a terrible product. It was devastating, I really thought it was going to work and I would be able to make nice looking non burned pancakes. Haven't gotten over it yet.

That sounds a lot like the "grip n' flip"......the spatula with a corresponding tong. Unlike your pancake flipper, the "grip n flip" worked like a charm.....absolutely pristine grilled cheese sandwhiches. I lost it in a move a couple of years ago and I haven't been able to eat a grilled cheese since.

Ford Prefect · 02-07-2007, 05:25 PM

I bought a new lap top for a combination of work and personal use. I totally didn't need it as I already have three desktops in the house (I run a home business). I don't travel enough to justify it, but I wanted it so I could do work on it in the back year during the summer rather than having to be inside. So it was pretty much a luxery purchase. I have admit though, reading/sending e-mail and doing other work-related stuff was a lot more enjoyable while having a brew in the backyard last summer.

Eastern Girl · 02-07-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by housejunk

That sounds a lot like the "grip n' flip"......the spatula with a corresponding tong. Unlike your pancake flipper, the "grip n flip" worked like a charm.....absolutely pristine grilled cheese sandwhiches. I lost it in a move a couple of years ago and I haven't been able to eat a grilled cheese since.

I can't for the life of me remember what the flipper thing I had was called, but it was basically two curved plates with a handle on it, you put the batter on, put it on the burner, and then clamp the handles down and flip it over. No mess, no use of spatulas. But there is a gap between the two plates so that you can't flip it over without batter spilling. But they don't show you that in their stupid infomercials! It was about two years ago and I am still seething over it.

Mr.Coffee · 02-07-2007, 05:57 PM

Everytime I park downtown and spend $28 for the day I have buyer's remorse and immediately regret that decision.

That lasts until the next time I take the train. Then I go back to parking... then buyer's remorse... train...

it's a pretty vicious cycle. I can't decide which one makes me want to go postal more.

Flames_Gimp · 02-07-2007, 06:00 PM

I would say my purchase was this Soup Bowl full of cocaine on my coffee table, but that isnt a consumer product!

Kybosh · 02-07-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

I would say my purchase was this Soup Bowl full of cocaine on my coffee table, but that isnt a consumer product!

You'd think that you could afford to put all the expensive cocaine into a better container than a soup bowl. . . unless you spent all the money on the cocaine in the first place.

The thing that I bought in the last year that I absolutely didn't need and couldn't afford was my xbox360 and some games for it. Ah well, Gears of War is pretty bad ass.

Flames in 07 · 02-07-2007, 06:04 PM

I'd have to say Flames vs Hawks tickets on February 6, 2007.

5 Shots in the first period and the refs handing 2pts to the hawks ... all for 90 bucks.

Engine09 · 02-07-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

I bought a pancake flipper. This little contraption thingie is supposed to make perfect looking pancakes and it's supposed to prevent burning. However, there is no possible way that you can flip it without getting batter everywhere, the batter sticks and burns. Just a terrible product. It was devastating, I really thought it was going to work and I would be able to make nice looking non burned pancakes. Haven't gotten over it yet.

Is that the contraption that is basically two thin frying pans hinged together? My Mom gave me one of those, piece of f'ing crap. I tried to use it once and threw in in the garbage immediately.

brownie · 02-07-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I'd have to say Flames vs Hawks tickets on February 6, 2007.

5 Shots in the first period and the refs handing 2pts to the hawks ... all for 90 bucks.

I can top that one.I have some tickets for this years games,different seats,different prices,so I go to the desk minutes before going to the EDM game on the Jan 13th to get my tickets.And there sat 2 tickets to the Minny game on dec 12th.I almost puked I was so mad,140 bucks donated to the flames.

prarieboy · 02-07-2007, 07:45 PM

It's Rack of Lamb for sure. I get one, slice it into chops, spice them up and broil them up. I eat em like chicken wings. Pretty expensive snack.

Nuje · 02-07-2007, 08:15 PM

Every car I ever bought (all with cash). The only one I made money on is the one I accidentally drove into a tree.

Draug · 02-07-2007, 08:18 PM

I am doing a complete rebuild of our bathroom...

I got carried away on the shower renovation. I redid all the plumbing with a dedicated 3/4" line and high flow shower head, shower wand and body jets. Each has it's own control valve and the whole system has a constant temperature valve.

It should be one hell of a shower experience, but I feel guilty about; a) the amount I spent on shower fixtures and valves, and b) the amount of water I can waste in one shower. The one saving grace is that each component has its own volume valve, so it can be off, or on part way. At least I wont have to use them all wide open all the time.