What is the WORST purchase you've made in the last 5 years?

[TexasHusker]

I can't think of a single item that falls into this category but I can think of some services I paid for that do. Not sure if that falls into the OP or not though.

Just last month I got ripped off by Firestone overcharging me for brake service. They charged for parts over 3x what the parts actually cost. Labor wasn't cheap of course, but the mark up on the parts really ticked me off.

Of course the person who told me I got ripped off said "you should have just asked me." The type of person that likes to make these statements after the fact, but near impossible to get a hold of when you are asking a favor.

Unfortunately, car repair shops often lick their chop$ when a female brings her car in for repair.

Not a PC thing to say in the post feminist world, but that doesn't make it any less true.

[Guppy Tender]

Kirby Vacuum

Kirby Vacuum cleaner

Yep, door to door salesman convinced me this was an excellent thing to own.

Truth is I had a good vacuum already. Oh well I could have done worse.

I have given away way more money than this to friends that had a need, and don't regret the money never coming back. A vacuum cleaner that really is only marginally better than some others, that I regret spending money on.

Stupid vacuum does not clean under beds very well.

[alexander grey]

Luckily not big losses, just an example last month I lost $ 200 on non-refundable tickets for the Traviata, we couldn't attend nor resell the tickets.

[cypher1]

Definitely a tough question. I have to think back to my de-cluttering, and the first one that comes to mine is buying a PillowSac (overpriced bean bag but comfortable) for my basement on CL. I hardly used, and sold it 2yrs later. Can't say it was the worst purchase, but wasn't worthwhile overall.

[disneysteve]

last month I lost $ 200 on non-refundable tickets for the Traviata, we couldn't attend nor resell the tickets.

I booked a hotel room with their internet special advance purchase non-refundable rate and then we ended up not being able to stay there so I lost the $100. I don't think of it as my "worst" purchase but I guess that qualifies.

[rennigade]

I booked a hotel room with their internet special advance purchase non-refundable rate and then we ended up not being able to stay there so I lost the $100. I don't think of it as my "worst" purchase but I guess that qualifies.

Thats one thing I never do...book a hotel without free cancellation...or book a non-refundable room. Life happens...things come up. Id rather eat the $20/$30 more per night than lose out on the whole thing.

[disneysteve]

Thats one thing I never do...book a hotel without free cancellation...or book a non-refundable room. Life happens...things come up. Id rather eat the $20/$30 more per night than lose out on the whole thing.

Nah. I take advantage of those deals all the time and we do a fair amount of traveling. This is the first time I've ever gotten stuck, and it was really by choice.

We were attending an event at another hotel. When I first went to book, the host hotel had no rooms, so I booked something nearby. Then later, rooms opened up at the host hotel so we grabbed one and just ate the cost of the other hotel.

[rennigade]

Nah. I take advantage of those deals all the time and we do a fair amount of traveling. This is the first time I've ever gotten stuck, and it was really by choice.

We were attending an event at another hotel. When I first went to book, the host hotel had no rooms, so I booked something nearby. Then later, rooms opened up at the host hotel so we grabbed one and just ate the cost of the other hotel.

I guess it depends how far out you're booking. If its only a week or so id probably do the non refundable...also depends how many nights you're staying.

I booked a bunch of hotels last month for travel in late august...between all the hotels if I would have done the non refundable I could have probably saved close to $150 for the week. The risk just wasnt worth it to me.

[Kaoru]

I bought a 4k monitor for $500 last month. That was a bad decision for a myopic person who can't see very clearly anyways.. Turns out 4k is so fine that I run it at the same resolution as my $200 monitor.

[Poppasmurf]

Purchasing a 5th wheel camper and a pickup truck to pull it, then realizing that the auto loan includes both in the one contract ... going to be a problem if I ever want to trade up the truck or camper!

[disneysteve]

Purchasing a 5th wheel camper and a pickup truck to pull it, then realizing that the auto loan includes both in the one contract ... going to be a problem if I ever want to trade up the truck or camper!

Did you buy them both together at the same place?

How long is the loan? I'm guessing you didn't follow the guidelines of not borrowing for more than 36 months.

If you need to sell one of them during the course of the loan, I guess you can just put the proceeds toward the loan and then refi the balance to lower your payment if you have to.

[clatoden99]

A pair of mango shorts

I got a couple of inches smaller than my waist size.

Its been 4 years and I have never worn them.

[commoncentsmike]

A pair of mango shorts

I got a couple of inches smaller than my waist size.

Its been 4 years and I have never worn them.

At least it wasn't a terribly expensive regret!

[NicolasR]

I would say my first motorcycle is the worst and the best. The worst because I didn't understand that it needed a lot of repair works when i bought it, on the other hand, i bought it so cheap and "for fun", then repaired it, and now my motorcycle is my hobby