Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Examples of false economy where cheap means crap

245 replies

unn · 10/09/2025 16:48

. Buying cheap baking trays and tins
. Buying economy washing up liquid. You need half a bottle to produce suds

OP posts:
LetsTryAgainNowThen · 11/09/2025 21:33

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/09/2025 21:14

@LetsTryAgainNowThen I had completely forgotten about Groupon is it still going ? was always a borderline swizz if I remember

I don't know if it's still going but this was about 7 years ago. I bought some duvet covers which were like paper too - really weird, thin fabric you could poke a hole through with your finger easily. I didn't use them again.

HowardTJMoon · 11/09/2025 21:32

Sundaymorningcalla · 11/09/2025 21:19

I can't, it's forbidden by Mumsnet apparently. They're censoring non offensive content now because some woke leftie reported my post.

Show quote history

Your need to portray yourself as a victim is palpable.

SurvivalInstinctsOfABakedPotato · 11/09/2025 21:32

Drill

Binned all my crap ones and bought a proper deWalt with two batteries

Game changer for small household tasks

XenoBitch · 11/09/2025 21:27

Canadanny · 11/09/2025 21:24

Dog food.
We realised that lots of the expensive brands are more dense so you use far less of them than some of the cheap foods.

Ha tell my dog that. She is 105 in dog years and now wants to live off the cheap chub things.

Canadanny · 11/09/2025 21:24

Dog food.
We realised that lots of the expensive brands are more dense so you use far less of them than some of the cheap foods.

HereWeComeAtLast · 11/09/2025 21:21

Anything from Shein

Coffeeishot · 11/09/2025 21:20

XenoBitch · 11/09/2025 20:08

Kitchen roll. I only use Regina Blitz. This is non-negotiable.

I also use regina blitz .it lasts ages.

Sundaymorningcalla · 11/09/2025 21:19

Sadworld23 · 11/09/2025 21:12

And you? Fill in the blanks.

Show quote history

I can't, it's forbidden by Mumsnet apparently. They're censoring non offensive content now because some woke leftie reported my post.

FitatFifty · 11/09/2025 21:19

My in laws used to buy very cheap electricals, like hoovers. Would always be surprised they were crap/didn’t last. I remember FIL being shocked our Hoover was 15 years old at that point and couldn’t get his head around it. They believed if you spent more money on them, a particular brand you were being ripped off.
They almost had a new vacuum every year, their floors were always dirty.

DeedlessIndeed · 11/09/2025 21:18

@normalnormal the OXO good grips can opener is really solid and reasonably priced.

DeedlessIndeed · 11/09/2025 21:15

My parents cook everything in the air fryer to save money on heating the big oven. They buy crappy offbrand ones with no warranty from the middle of lidl etc.

They've had 2 go wrong in the last 5 or so, so are on to their 3rd but don't stop talking about how wasteful it is to use the main oven... the irony is clearly lost on them!

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/09/2025 21:14

@LetsTryAgainNowThen I had completely forgotten about Groupon is it still going ? was always a borderline swizz if I remember

NormaNormal · 11/09/2025 21:12

@MidnightTwin , Thanks but that was one of my duff ones.

My garlic press came from Ikea. It works.

Sadworld23 · 11/09/2025 21:12

Sundaymorningcalla · 11/09/2025 20:00

It's a joke, just like this thread is.

Show quote history

And you? Fill in the blanks.

LetsTryAgainNowThen · 11/09/2025 21:11

Pillows. I bought some "hotel quality" on Groupon and they were shockingly bad. The filling separated in to various clumps, with just air in between, within days. The worst pillows I've ever seen.

Sadworld23 · 11/09/2025 21:10

Treesarenotforeating · 11/09/2025 18:42

Rubber gloves

I find elbow grease ones reasonably sturdy and the Aldi ones, possibly dont last as long as Marigold but generally cheaper..
I can only wear L or XL so choice is limited.

XenoBitch · 11/09/2025 21:00

MidnightTwin · 11/09/2025 20:58

They are not too expensive now since they've been out years. But the Cullincare Magiccan tin opener.

Show quote history

I have that one too!
I also wont scrimp on garlic presses. They need to have the little pegs go into the holes. If that makes sense.

MidnightTwin · 11/09/2025 20:58

NormaNormal · 11/09/2025 20:29

@MidnightTwin , I buy cheap tin openers. I have had 2 expensive ones and neither lasted.
Could you share the details of the one you bought please?

They are not too expensive now since they've been out years. But the Cullincare Magiccan tin opener.

OSTMusTisNT · 11/09/2025 20:55

Steak
Kitchen Roll
Knives
Coffee
Scissors
Slippers
Tomato Ketchup
Holidays
Gel nail polish
Toothbrush heads

CalzoneOnLegs · 11/09/2025 20:52

@nopiesleftinthisvehicle

Laughing cow is irreplaceable ❤️

I buy the Aldi ones for my cat

nopiesleftinthisvehicle · 11/09/2025 20:38

Copycat versions of Laughing Cow cheese triangles.
Both German supermarkets guilty as charged. 🐮

NormaNormal · 11/09/2025 20:29

@MidnightTwin , I buy cheap tin openers. I have had 2 expensive ones and neither lasted.
Could you share the details of the one you bought please?

MidnightTwin · 11/09/2025 20:13

Tin openers. I got through loads of cheap ones. Brought an expensive on that I've had for 12 years now.

Sadworld23 · 11/09/2025 20:09

Still working my way through the thread.

Cheap Tea bags, awful 😖 Yorkshire T 4me
Cheap coffee uck.

Paint - recommend Fortress, good value and brilliant not yellowing coverage. Even covers nicotine stains. Not tried colours, only white.

Washing up liquid. Love the antibacterial from Aldi, I dilute it a bit to make even cheaper.

Shoes, its not about price, it's fit. Have some incredibly cheap shoes that are comfy, and vice versa.

Loo roll, cushelle fan but priced out a bit as on low budget, tried a few but Aldi coconut oil seems best.

Chocolate just isn't cheap any more.

XenoBitch · 11/09/2025 20:08

Kitchen roll. I only use Regina Blitz. This is non-negotiable.