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Why do people buy crap?

brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
in A Moving Train
A few of us were going in the direction of this question elsewhere and I didn't want to stray too much from that thread topic so here we are. I admit the question is a bit rhetorical but I ask it because it perplexes me. There is not logic to it. We humans consume what the earth has to give us each year by August and everything after that we steal from future generations. On top of that, it makes no sense to buy cheap crap from a personal finance point of view. For example: I can go to a big box store and buy a pair of socks for a couple of bucks that are never very comfortable and will wear out quickly or I can go to Combellack's across the street and buy these super comfortable long lasting non-binding wonder-socks for four times what I would pay at the big box store only they will last five times as long and are 10 times more comfortable so in the long run I get better good, save money and help the planet.

People will say, well yeah maybe you can afford them but what about those of us who don't make a lot of money? To that I say, I don't make a lot of money either, I just manage it well. And so forth. I've heard all the excuses and none hold water. Crap is crap and there's no excuse for buying it. It's bad for ya, it's bad for your finances, it's bad for the planet.

OK, open fire!!
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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Comments

  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,086
    The crap I buy is good crap.
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,355
    We have a hole, a disorder, a condition?

    "stuff" makes us feel better sometimes and fills that void?

    True story:

    I like using the same utensil to cook EVERYTHING.

    My girl uses a different utensil for EVERYTHING and she's the hippy environmentalist…

    Go figure...
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    Go Beavers said:

    The crap I buy is good crap.

    Go Beavers, for that hilarious comment you get one crap credit. Spend it wisely! :smiley:
    tempo_n_groove said:

    We have a hole, a disorder, a condition?

    "stuff" makes us feel better sometimes and fills that void?

    True story:

    I like using the same utensil to cook EVERYTHING.

    My girl uses a different utensil for EVERYTHING and she's the hippy environmentalist…

    Go figure...

    tempo_n_groove, you could become the resident train Zen cook! The sound of one utensil stirring!

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • ehbaconehbacon Posts: 1,971
    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.
    Listen to some of my music here (if you want to): [url="My soundcloud"]
  • evsgjammevsgjamm Posts: 2,107
    I hear ya!!

    I bought a Nickelback CD in 1999 and figured "Leader of Men" was gonna be a life long rock song I'd never get sick of hearing..... when I SHOULD'VE bought Yield... but I didn't know Yield existed at that time. same???? no... not even fucking close, but this wine is good AND THAT'S A REAL NICE SKI MASK!

    image

    Vancouver '03, Paramount Theatre '05, Saskatoon '05, Calgary '05, Edmonton '05, Saskatoon '11, Calgary '11, Calgary '13

    2010 WATCH IT GO TO FIRE!!
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
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  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    "I'd like to send this priority, please."

    "Would you like insurance?"

    "Not necessary."

    "Does your package contain anything fragile, liquid perishable or potentially hazardous?"

    "Umm, umm, ummm..."

    "NEXT!"
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,355
    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    C'mon girl!!!
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    tempo_n_groove said:

    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    C'mon girl!!!
    it's awful.
    I hate myself.

    Since my area is being gentrified the supermarkets are stupid expensive now, so I've been going to other areas for fresh produce. This is a new endeavour so there's going to be some growing pains. I've got about $7 in spoiled produce waiting to be thrown out cuz I bought too much. The problem is when my back starts acting up I physically can't stand there chopping shit cuz after a couple minutes it feels like my spine is in a vise. So I end up ordering or doing something that doesn't require peeling and chopping and de-seeding.

    Seriously, I'm an asshole. But at least I can admit it right?

    I will not apologize for my cheap clothes. Especially since old navy is having a clearance sale on and i'm probably gonna go buy some shit tomorrow.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
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  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    ldent42 said:

    tempo_n_groove said:

    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    C'mon girl!!!
    it's awful.
    I hate myself.

    Since my area is being gentrified the supermarkets are stupid expensive now, so I've been going to other areas for fresh produce. This is a new endeavour so there's going to be some growing pains. I've got about $7 in spoiled produce waiting to be thrown out cuz I bought too much. The problem is when my back starts acting up I physically can't stand there chopping shit cuz after a couple minutes it feels like my spine is in a vise. So I end up ordering or doing something that doesn't require peeling and chopping and de-seeding.

    Seriously, I'm an asshole. But at least I can admit it right?

    I will not apologize for my cheap clothes. Especially since old navy is having a clearance sale on and i'm probably gonna go buy some shit tomorrow.
    OK, give me a second here...

    Alright, let's do the math:
    Minus 10 Crap Credits for "I buy crap ALL THE TIME."
    Plus 3 Crap Credits "I'm an irresponsible piece of shit " (10 for honesty less 5 for potty mouth).
    Plus 10 C.C. for "i re-use them..."
    Minus 10 C.C. for "I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes"
    Zero instead of minus 10 for ordering out (because of the back thing- I get it).
    Plus 7 for "Seriously, I'm an asshole." (Plus 10 minus 3 for minor potty mouth).

    So -10 plus +3= -7 plus 10= +3 minus 10= -7 plus 7= 0
    Plus one bonus point for being cool gives you One Crap Credit, Ident.

    I know, you're wonder where do I get off give out Crap Credits. Well, I made up the thread so fuck it! Oh damn, I just lost 20 points. :anguished:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    Brain, I was too lost in all that math to even think to question your authority :lol:
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  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,086
    edited January 2016
    A Brianlux thread on consumption always conjures up this song:
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ovum-GjYWKQ
    Post edited by Go Beavers on
  • InHiding80InHiding80 Posts: 7,623
    Cue anti materialism monologue from Fight Club in 3...2...1!
  • PJfanwillneverleave1PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    edited January 2016
    I'm not sure why other people buy crap.
    For me it is like hit and miss.
    Sometimes you do score a great pair of socks in the bargain bin other times not so much.
    I love coming home with bags full of stuff that didn't break the wallet.
    Liken it to second hand stores - why do people shop there?, it's because you can find some really, really, great stuff sometimes but usually end up walking out with a few things you weren't looking for.
    I love Walmart, (insert big box store here) and I love the mom and pop shops.
    I am mine and will shop where I want.

    edit - oh and I like Target too because Pearl Jam is a partner with them.
    Post edited by PJfanwillneverleave1 on
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    Go Beavers said:

    A Brianlux thread on consumption always conjures up this song:
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ovum-GjYWKQ

    Oh Yeah!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    InHiding80 said:

    Cue anti materialism monologue from Fight Club in 3...2...1!

    Oh Yeah II !
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    I'm not sure why other people buy crap.
    For me it is like hit and miss.
    Sometimes you do score a great pair of socks in the bargain bin other times not so much.
    I love coming home with bags full of stuff that didn't break the wallet.
    Liken it to second hand stores - why do people shop there?, it's because you can find some really, really, great stuff sometimes but usually end up walking out with a few things you weren't looking for.
    I love Walmart, (insert big box store here) and I love the mom and pop shops.
    I am mine and will shop where I want.

    edit - oh and I like Target too because Pearl Jam is a partner with them.

    OH NO! :angry:

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • InHiding80InHiding80 Posts: 7,623
    The cheapest brands are from the most evil places like Walmart and food regarding Monsanto fast places like McDevil's and Taco Hell.

    That's how they get you.
  • PJfanwillneverleave1PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    ^^^
    So what.
    Enjoy some bad food for fucking once.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    People buy (and buy into) intangible crap too. Like shitty manufactured music. Or shitty manufactured so-called music-makers.

    Who knows why. Easier to do that than discern, to think a bit?

    Fads, convenience, whimsy...guess they all play a part and not the worst a person can pursue, I suppose.

    Moderation?

    The small stuff, it can be fun, harmless. I have some beautiful and beloved little items others may deem as crap but they mean much to me.

    The bigger ticket items, seems to me that quality should go into them, their production, longevity. I've never had a problem paying more for more.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    I was thinking about what PJFan said about PJ and Target having some kind of partnership and how totally incomprehensible that is to me and hopefully it's not true but it reminded me of a few years back when I signed up through a local conservation group to take a class on sustainability. We thoroughly delved into what that term really means and came to the conclusion that it is a greatly and widely misunderstood concept. To punctuate that, at the very last meeting we got to talking casually about local business and someone mentioned that one of the big chain grocery stores here was moving into a new location and we all began to speculate what would go in that store's old building. One person who works with the city informed us it would be a Big Lots (it's still there and talk about CRAP!) and almost all of us let out a collective moan. And then one woman (a very nice lady so I don't mean to bad mouth her when I say this) emphatically bust out with, "Yeah, they need to put something GOOD in there like a Target!" I've never heard a room go quiet so fast. All of us just sort of sat there slack jawed and speechless.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • PJfanwillneverleave1PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pearl-jams-big-plans-for-target-deal-fans-have-to-trust-us-20090901
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,594
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pearl-jams-big-plans-for-target-deal-fans-have-to-trust-us-20090901

    Umm, a one off distribution deal for Backspacer. Its 2016. One album since was sold where? Oh thats right just about everywhere.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • PJfanwillneverleave1PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    mickeyrat said:

    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pearl-jams-big-plans-for-target-deal-fans-have-to-trust-us-20090901

    Umm, a one off distribution deal for Backspacer. Its 2016. One album since was sold where? Oh thats right just about everywhere.
    Still can't admit.
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2016
    I got some great tea towels from big lots last year.
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  • PJfanwillneverleave1PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    ldent42 said:

    I got some great tea towels from big lots last year.

    Don't knock tea towels.
    Fancy dancy priced ones usually seem water proof and are a pain in the ass to dry anything.
    Bring on the cheap tea towels!
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    ldent42 said:

    I got some great tea towels from big lots last year.

    Better than paper towels. :smile:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    ldent42 said:

    I got some great tea towels from big lots last year.

    Don't knock tea towels.
    Fancy dancy priced ones usually seem water proof and are a pain in the ass to dry anything.
    Bring on the cheap tea towels!
    I'm not knocking then I love them
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
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  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited January 2016
    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    :rofl:
    The thing about most of that crap is that it can be recycled. Yeah, not having the crap in the first place is ideal, but at least this crap doesn't have to go into a landfill....
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    PJ_Soul said:

    ldent42 said:

    ehbacon said:

    fun fact:

    there are actually women who make a pretty decent living selling their feces, urine, hair, etc over the internet to weird pervs.

    Where do I sign up? :sick:


    I buy crap ALL THE TIME. I'm an irresponsible piece of shit though. I use those aluminum foil trays instead of servingware bowls for holiday meals, i re-use them to reheat the leftovers and then trash em. I use paper plates and plastic cups and I buy the individual cups of yogurt and cans of soda and liter bottles of soda. I buy cheap clothes and I get deliveries at least once a week.

    I regret nothing.
    :rofl:
    The thing about most of that crap is that it can be recycled. Yeah, not having the crap in the first place is ideal, but at least this crap doesn't have to go into a landfill....
    True, but it takes energy and resources to recycle. Sorry ladies, not good enough arguments to justify buying crap.

    I'm not trying to put anybody down here, just trying to encourage taking more care in what we consume. The more durable an item, the longer it will last and longer it will be (saving energy usage) before it does go to recycling.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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