Thread 2 – De-influencing thread: reasons not to buy things

[Whowhatwerewolf]

Starting Thread 2 as Thread 1 has nearly reached the comment limit.

For anyone new: this thread has a specific purpose. If you are considering buying something but deep down would prefer to save your money, post a link to the item. Other posters will help talk you out of it.

Humour and gentle mockery are very much part of how this thread works, alongside more practical points. Sometimes a light-hearted comment helps something click; other times it’s about noticing details that are easy to miss when you’re tempted.

Common tactics include:

• poking fun (so please don't post something if your feelings will be hurt by this)
• pointing out that you already own something that serves the same purpose
• spotting poor quality, flimsy construction or inferior fabrics hiding behind good photography
• questioning whether the item solves a problem that actually exists
• translating marketing language into plain English

What this thread is not:

• mocking people who wear the item
• ageist sniping (calling something “granny” is actually praise)
• cruelty for its own sake

The target is the thing, not the person.

The previous thread is here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5482885-de-influencing-thread-reasons-why-not-to-buy-things?latest=1

In it we covered a lot of ground including a sad tangerine skirt, another one that looked like it was tucked into your underpants, Gary Glitter shoes, saggy bottoms, air wraps gathering dust and lots of polyester at premium prices.

Also worth restating, based on Thread 1:
This is not a balanced debate thread. It is not “let’s hear both sides”. People who posted positive comments about items were, quite rightly, sent to the naughty corner. This is not the thread for that.

This thread is for people who want to be de-influenced, not gently nudged towards a purchase they already know they’re going to make.

If you’re hovering over Add to basket and need someone to say “step away”, post the link.
If you’re good at spotting polyester pretending to be wool, please contribute.

Thread 2 begins. Same format. Same aim.

Even apart from the fact they look like children's shoes I think they look kind of cheap due to the unnecessary detail. And they will visually shorten the leg because they interrupt the vertical line multiple times.

Cos shipping takes so long. 2 weeks. By the time what I bought arrived I didn't even want it anymore. They look awkward to me and not that nice on the model.

I've got a real Vinted addiction myself and have used it to upgrade my wardrobe. The only problem with it is the way it encourages impulse buying as the item you're considering could sell to someone else at any moment (I've lost out on some very nice things that way). I also sell on Vinted and it's so easy to go on to check my sales and then "accidentally" wander over to the home screen and have a browse.

That just happened to me with a very nice cashmere sweater ... I took the time to check the details on the manufacturer's website, & it was gone ...!!!

I too am currently using Vinted (& my usual go-to, eBay) for a hopefully considered upgrade since putting on weight (& admitting that I'm not losing it any time soon!!). I can't remember the last time I bought clothing new directly from a shop (bar underwear & socks!!).

Now I just need to put the same amount of effort into selling all the stuff I no longer wear ...

I took a VB eyeliner on holiday with me and the lid came off, squishing some of the pencil and ruining a new makeup bag. I was surprised given the price

At that price, you'd have nothing to put in it - not that you'd fit much in it anyway

This is what happens when your kids dress you 😉

If you want curls, before you get ahead of yourself and buy the pillowcase full of promises in a 'lovely pink box'—sleep on it—preferably on a normal pillowcase that doesn't claim to grow magic arms and scrunch up those spirals in your sleep. Don't let them pull the wool (or silk) over your eyes. You'll be paying for that packaging. I rest my 'pillow' case.

I sell a lot more than buy on vinted and VC, so far I have been able to avoid really going to town 🤦‍♀️ I usually transfer all earnings to my bank account immediately. On VC I have instant transfers activated after every transaction.

I think I am quite good at spotting signs of quality and on our vinted the really good stuff is hen’s teeth. My impression is that a lot of users are very young. I flogged my old polyester hat with a y2k description - I really bought it in 2001 so I wasn’t lying - and people were fighting over it. A week later I bought a beautiful CTH Ericson hat, same style, Harris Tweed, for a bit less. Must have been less y2k too.

Care to meet me over in the Naughty Corner for a little chat about Vinted @CortieTat and anyone else who's interested?
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5485794-the-naughty-corner-influencing-alternatives-things-that-actually-worked?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@Whowhatwerewolf It is a nice bag however the fact that the cross body straps can't be detached is a design floor in my opinion. In that price range why not check out Strathberry, Demellier, Parisa Wang or Ateliers Auguste?

Actually I well remember going with my DF to buy a handbag as a Christmas present for my DM. This was back in the Dark Ages so the dept. store assistant would bring things from behind the counter to show you.

She showed DF one that cost 32/6d in old money. (Just over £1.50) And even at the tender age of no more than about 9 I knew my DM really wouldn’t like it.

So was very relieved when DF said, ‘No, too Granny-ish.’ (It was!).

She then showed him a beautiful one in black calf, lined with suede. The price was 3 Guineas - a lot then (£3.30) and probably more than he could sensibly afford.
But DM loved that bag and used it for years.

Right.
@Whowhatwerewolf I think the cross body in that design might be a mistake. I've still got Mulberry handbags from over 30 years ago, you can get them reconditioned. The originals were certainly made to last!

I got a quote for refurbishing a Mulberry bag - £400!

Thank you everyone for successfully de-influencing me from that Polène bag. I've now bought another much cheaper bag that I think will work better for me. In case anyone really wants to know I'll post the link in the naughty corner where it (and I) belong.

Ooh would you post a pic when it comes. This thread or elsewhere?!

Whaaaat?!?!
Ok. Scratch that idea. I've had mine for years and just tidy up with a bit of that clear protective shoe polish.

Excellent 👌! I know Polene bags have a bit of a following, but I've never been hugely impressed.

Was that from Mulberry themselves? Would The Bag Spa or Handbag Clinic or similar be any cheaper?

My Mulberry isn't in a terrible state or anything - more that the patina means I'll keep it for casual wear. It's a slouchy style one anyway so will definitely be suitable for that. I've conditioned it with leather honey which has helped

Sounds like a plan.

How old is your Mulberry? One of the things I often see when people are justifying buying expensive handbags is that they will last for ever so are worth the money. I have a couple of expensive bags and they have aged just as quickly as other cheaper leather bags that I have bought. The only bag I have that stills looks nearly as good as the day I got it is a Coach bag that my parents gave me for my 18th Birthday, so 35 years old. It is such thick leather, nothing like the bags made today! Bloody heavy though!

My surviving suitcases are mainly Antler and Eastpak. One of my Antlers is still going strong after 30 years, and it did some hard years when I was an IT consultant. The other case I bought at that time the pull up handle went on it after about 15 years, and I couldn't fix it myself, but it had been banged about in planes, dragged around cities etc. The replacement for that one (Antler again) is ok, but one of the tabs on the main zip snapped, so the built in lock doesn't work any more. One problem with recommendations based on longevity is who knows what things they've cut corners on during manufacture in the intervening years.

...justifying buying expensive handbags is that they will last for ever so are worth the money.
I think if you love bags, when you get the bag a new one will come along soon after and you'll want that more.
I'm like that with boots and shoes
When I get the perfect pair that will solve all my problems, they're not and I want something else.

My Mulberry is just over a decade old @canyon2000 Luckily I'm not a "handbag person" as I'd imagine that would be a very expensive hobby!