De-influencing thread - reasons why NOT to buy things

[Whowhatwerewolf]

Like quite a few people on here I have been trying to reduce or eliminate buying new clothes or beauty treats in 2026. For the most part I've failed miserably but I'm going to keep trying. One thing that helps me greatly is being de-influenced from a purchase. Unfortunately I'm very easily influenced by advertisements but my saving grace is that I can be easily dissuaded from buying things also.

Recently two lovely posters (@Johanna and @Cortietat ) managed to stop me from buying overpriced Sweaty Betty pilates socks and a potentially somewhat wonky Eribé fair isle cardigan respectively by telling me what wasn't so great about these items. I'm so appreciative as this has saved me heaps of money. So I was wondering whether anyone else has anything they'd liked to be talked out of purchasing?

The idea is to post something on this thread that you're considering buying despite trying to save money via a no buy or low buy commitment or simply because you're not sure about a purchase. Other posters respond to say why you shouldn't buy. If anyone thinks what you're considering getting is the best thing since sliced bread and you should definitely proceed they keep quiet about it please as this isn't the thread for that.

So...is anyone in?

get yourself to screwfix and buy their cheapest Titian wet / dry vacuum. Thank me later

I think she needs our help!
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5483275-talk-me-out-of-holland-cooper?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Goddammit. I ignored the advice and bought the Lidl robot hoover and now I can't get the fucker to work. It's just blinking various lights at me and I've downloaded the manual and everything!!

And my floors are still minging.

I popped into Brora today. Was hoping to order online as they didn’t have my size in store. But then I read this thread and didn’t buy it 💪

Mostly they taste awful and contain sweeteners or even sugar. Most people aren’t actually deficient in magnesium, and it’s contraindicated for some medications so check that first. If you do want to take it, read up on the different types and buy regular pills or just include more in your diet.

I do however advocate for magnesium bath salts. Don’t know if psychosomatic but they knock me out and I sleep like a baby.

Shapeless...honestly, there is no waist or shaping in it at all.

help, i am obsessed. been thinking about this dress for about 6 months... www.thereformation.com/products/citron-denim-mini-dress/1315752ION.html?dwvar_1315752ION_color=ION

Are you totally smoking hot? If so, I’d say buy it.

I'm trying it at the moment, but I bought it for knee pain that I've suffered with for over 2 years. After 28 days I'm almost pain free all of the time.

My husband commented yesterday that he thought I had less visible bags under my eyes and that the smile lines at the edges of my eyes were a lighter BUT I've been following the advice that came with the powder to make sure I'm drinking at least 2 litres of water a day and also moisturising morning and night (which I've previously been a bit lax at) so it could just be that....

Also, if you do buy it, don't use heaped teaspoons, just rounded ones, otherwise the powder won't last the stated amount of days. I've only tried the chocolate one, it tastes OK with warm milk mixed in. Reviews for other flavours are mixed.

My reaction was "ok but where's the rest of it?" But that's probably because I am definitely not totally smoking hot 😂

If you are then try a Google image search as there are many similar dresses out there that are much less expensive that maybe you'd like just as much.

Re the seaweed shampoo. It is nice. Just a lot of money for what it is. It did seem to make my very fine hair a bit shinier and not weighed down like lots of other shampoos which say they are for fine hair. Can't comment on the conditiioner as my hair is too fine for most of those. But I can't say Ive noticed any regrowth, which is claimed on the ads. It was on sale (not sure if it still is) but they want you to buy shamp and cond..

I think I might carry on browsing for a good fine hair shampoo.

Exactly. It’s very expensive and very short. I’m sure there will be a new look/primark version if it.

I really like it but I couldn’t tell you its £200 or reformation from those pictures.

Lightweight cotton?
Baggy arse appearing in 1,2,3…

well, I suppose so, but t shirts manage not to get longer and longer. I got a top in a similar fabric to the dress at the same time and that has been great. I think they made a mistake making a dress out of this fabric, as the weight of the skirt dragged it down, and they should have recognised that mistake. They did suggest I wash it and I did, but it made no difference.

They obviously make a lot of mistakes, chiefly in not having good customer service. They claim to be a ‘premium brand’ and their prices reflect that, but then treat their customers like Morrisons do, it seems.

It looks more like a pair of pyjamas to me.

This mad me lol.
No coser to looking like a boiled egg. 😝😝😂😂
That's a pricey facial. Id expect immediate results as well.

Great idea for a post. X

Im going to use this concept for my handbags. A different one a dsy. Thanks x

No idea! 😂It just feels wrong!!

Have a picture of the piles of landfill that can be seen from space as your screensaver.

I use these to educate my daughter about fast fashion and overconsumption.

Also pay attention to the pink tax and gendered marketing where items aimed at women are thinner and flimsier but cost more and wear out quicker than the male equivalent, how things like cosmetics are promoted much more aggressively to women - most of these are unnecessary and someone is getting very rich making us feel inadequate and then selling us something to alter our appearance. Plus things like crippling pointy spiky heeled shoes that cause pain, injuries and make us less able to flee a potential attacker, that men don't feel pressured to own at all.

Much of the tat we buy is constructed using gallons and gallons of water and a bunch of suspect chemicals, in impoverished countries where workers, the majority female and children, labour in dangerous and exploitative conditions for a pittance, then it is shipped across the world at a hefty carbon cost.

There are multiple ethical, environmental and political arguments for rebelling against overconsumption and capitalism that once you are aware of you can't unsee.

That's a good point. Needs at least 2% elastane. Otherwise: you know what happens to the knees of your jeans? That. On your bum. Plus, washed-out creases will appear across your crotch in a few months.

It's a fabulous cut, though - I've just scrutinised the construction, and you'd never get the same for £50. If you're totally smokin' hot and don't mind dropping £200 on a dress for ten good wears, buy it! After it's bagged out & worn in, you can use it as your gardening overall 😄

Magnesium gives you the most vivid dreams! Not great if you want a restful night sleep 😅

I have one- the additional cost of the electricity- to keep the lil boiler running all day and night was so eye watering that I turned the fucker off- and use the kettle

Yes, my scalp stopped itching once I found a shampoo that was SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) free.