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.

I agree, they look clunky, heavy and not comfortable to walk in.

I’m trying not to click ‘book’ on a £160 hydrafacial, including neck and décolleté.

I’ve had a crap few months and can sort of afford it, in that I have a generous partner who’d give me the money without complaint, but it’s just soooo much isn’t it.

It’s not worth it, is it.

My view is a little different. I don't think trust pilot is foolproof by any means but I think companies who treat their customers decently tend to have trust pilot rating of 4 and above. The last time I bought from somewhere with a rating lower than that I did indeed have an issue that took a month to resolve.

Any company that has a trust pilot rating as low as 1.5 (Arket) I think must treat their customers with contempt and I personally wouldn't choose to give them my business.

That is absolutely gorgeous. I'd be so proud of myself if I'd made something like that that. Nicest item on these threads by far 😍

They're pretty but the leather straps look a little thin so they would dig in. and there's a lack of visible cushioning. Perfect if your daily step count is "walk to the fridge and back".

I agree with this. I usually check the reviews and it’s easy to spot the ranty ones and discover real issues. The whole H&M have had ongoing issues with long delivery times. I’ve never ordered from Arket, but I bought something from COS in the past and it took over three weeks to arrive.
The outlet prices put me off buying from them. Most of the stuff except few popular pieces used to end up in their online outlet at 80% off, so either someone in the value chain had been severely underpaid or the quality is underwhelming.

Good point. I guess I don't ultimately care about the longer delivery time - paying for returns or orders that aren't picked up is annoying but I do get why companies do that as so many order with the view of retuning stuff.

Personally I usually buy Cos, Arket and H&M in person so I can see the quality. There are definitely huge variations

It just looks boring and like you bought it in a Supermarket or your son grew out of it and you kept it to do the gardening in.

I actually believe self care is super important.
in my local area there is a slon that offers back and neck massage for £40 for 30 mins. I have found it extremely relaxing especially during those hard times life has thrown at me.
would that be an option? And with the left over money: coffee or lunch to catch up with a friend, thats also good for my mental wellbeing/self care.

Footwear quality and the health of my feet are a bit of an obsession of mine. We only have two feet that have to carry, support and distribute the weight of our whole body over a very small area of bones, muscles and skin. And they do that for many years. People take their feet for granted because they rarely fail us - bad footwear causes knee pain, posture issues, bad back, weak pelvic floor and hip problems but our feet just carry on.

Please don’t do this. These shoes look very uncomfortable.

They're also ugly.

I don’t want to influence rather than de-influence but I’ve got one of these and it’s a great quality sweatshirt at the price. I wear it a lot. Navy rather than blue though. But how many sweatshirts do you need? If you have 3-4 that you like and are in good condition what will this add to your wardrobe?

I really want this shirt: https://www.withnothingunderneath.com/products/the-boyfriend-exaggerated-cuff-fine-poplin-white.

I can afford it, and am happy to pay if the quality matches the price. My major concerns are that it is white, and I enjoy black coffee and food generally. I wear shirts almost daily so if I get it I’m confident it will be worn a lot- my main concern is my ability to keep it white!

It’s an awful lot of money for a white shirt and I think the cuff’s are a bit too much.

Get a cheaper one if you must. They don't stay white.
White Slim Fit Poplin Shirt | New Look

Yep I have the dark brown one and I really like it, it sits well amd keeps washing well. I got stains on it so it's been demoted to gardening. I have 2other sweatshirts which are appropriate for public so should really be enough. They are just all such drab colours for spring!

@Pigtailsandall , for some reason most light blue clothes I've owned have faded very unevenly after one or two washes.

I try to avoid polyester where possible and New Look quality is generally terrible. It’s more feedback on WNU I need!

@TealReader , I was trying to put @Pigtailsandall off by the comparison.

@TealReader i have several WNU shirts, the quality is good but I have realised they will last me a lifetime because they crease like fuck as soon as they’re on my body and I hate Ironing (as in, I don’t do it) so they are only worn on a very odd occasion when dh is ironing a shirt for himself and offers to do anything of mine while he’s at it.
as a result, I maybe wear them twice a year.

Hmm I don’t mind ironing but I don’t want something totally creased while on me!

As summer stuff will be in shops soon, I think we need a general disclamer for whenever someone asks about anything linen.
Yes it looks lovely on the model or hanger. So nice in summer heat, yes.

After 5 minutes of wearing your lovely new linen outfit, will you look like you had slept in that outfit, on a park bench? Also yes.

I've almost fallen for With Nothing Underneath shirts myself as the marketing is relentless and they look amazing on the models. What's put me off is looking at the second hand ones on Vinted they almost all look wrinkled or just not that nice. I can't remember who it was who suggested looking on Vinted to see the items you want not looking their best but it was a great tip that really works with WNU.

Everything looks like shit on Vinted though!! It's something I noticed straight away on Vinted, being fairly new to it after many years of eBay. The photo quality is so appalling!!

I tend to look up the item on the actual retailer's website as sellers on Vinted make so little effort compared to eBay. Which is, I suppose, a huge part of the appeal in that it's so much easier & quicker to list & sell. But I find it really annoying how many out-of-focus photos are posted (you're not able to do that on eBay), including those of important stuff like size & composition labels!

It hasn't, however, stopped me buying from Vinted ...just deterred me for many items.

Linen - every time I wear it someone will ask me why didn't I iron it.