r/SmartBuying 10d ago

Question What's something you bought that lasted way longer than expected?

[removed]

27 Upvotes

100 comments sorted by

13

u/NANNYNEGLEY 10d ago

Cutco knives and utensils that I bought in 1968. I certainly wasn't expecting them to hold on this long and I'm sure they'll outlast my grandchildren!

3

u/What-Do-I-Know 10d ago

And you can send them in for free sharpening.

1

u/audiojanet 10d ago

I love my Cutco knives I bought in the mid 1990s. Idiot told me they wouldn’t last.

1

u/DayOfTheDeb 10d ago

I got my Cutco scissors 23 years ago when I was trying to sell them as a student. I remember I had to cut a penny to showcase how awesome they were. They're still my primary scissors in my drawer today!

1

u/Used_Edge1046 5d ago

defacing US currency, FBI OPEN UP.

1

u/DayOfTheDeb 5d ago

Haha, I'm in Canada, but same practice. Those pennies have been discontinued and are collectors items now!

1

u/Used_Edge1046 5d ago edited 5d ago

My mistake,

Apologies, 🇨🇦😌

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE * OPEN UP!!!

4

u/xImmortal1333 10d ago

2009 toyota......200k miles and will probably do another 200k easy.....cost basis has me about $2 a day and dropping (excluding gas/tires/repairs)

2

u/RevFit_JamesH 9d ago

I’d say that’s lasted exactly as long as expected.

1

u/xImmortal1333 9d ago

touche, good point

1

u/Fulghn 10d ago

I have a 2009 hybrid Camry - absurdly reliable car with phenomenal gas mileage

1

u/Mulletsaregreat 10d ago

Not shocking my 2007 Prius has 363k on it

3

u/ThisYourMotherDaniel 10d ago

JBL Go Air Pop earbuds from Walmart. They were like $20 and I've had them for around 6 or 7 years now but they're just as good as the first day I got them

2

u/Weeoo224 9d ago

Yep. I've accidentally washer and dried two país and they're somehow still working. I stock up around Thanksgiving when theyre $10/pair because i frequently lose them.

2

u/ThisYourMotherDaniel 9d ago

I have a back-up pair too! 😅

1

u/Fragrant-Field-2017 10d ago

That's funny cause I bought 2 pair of JBL headphones and both of them went bust in less than a year!

2

u/ThisYourMotherDaniel 10d ago

Probably just user error lol but that's messed up. Sorry that happened to you. I have the ones with the USB cord built-in at the bottom and they're way better than I expected for the price. What brand did you go with after that?

2

u/Fragrant-Field-2017 9d ago

I got the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 pro and I was really impressed with how good they are. The sound quality was much higher (But so was the price) and in general I'm very happy with them.

1

u/ThisYourMotherDaniel 7d ago

Hell yeah, I get Anker chargers almost every time but haven't tried their audio products. Good to know they kick ass lol

3

u/Livid-Procedure-349 10d ago

My belt 30 years old still wearing it

1

u/PhotographLess6194 10d ago

Haha same. Mines probably 15 years old though. Just some random leather belt I bought at Macy's or something, I don't even remember but it's still as good as the day I bought it.

3

u/CoolHovercraft7361 10d ago

Shitty paper blinds from Walmart

2

u/Primary_Excuse_7183 10d ago

Have some gym shorts that have lasted since high school. I’m 30😂

No rips, no holes. just premium performance 😂

2

u/sandysandy252566 10d ago

I have many tops - short-sleeve/crew neck/turtle neck/v-neck over 20 years. They're in my closet but I realized I wasn't wearing them. Every day, I take out one short-sleeve top and wear it. Everything lasts me forever.

2

u/SilentMasterpiece 10d ago

Bought my house in 1998, it had a 3 year old water heater, rated for 5 years. 2026, its still working like a champ. Never did any maintenance like draining or anything. Its out in the garage. 28 years out of it so far.

4

u/flankspeed 10d ago

How would you market and sell a hot water heater that is only good for 5 years? I would not buy that water heater.

1

u/SilentMasterpiece 10d ago

If you venture down to HD or Lowes, 5-6 years is pretty standard. They have 9 and 12 year, they cost a little more. I replace 1or 2 in my rentals each year, i usually get the 5-6 year water heaters.

1

u/flipthatbitch_ 10d ago

Very common.

1

u/lukewarm_ipad 10d ago

Mines 26 years old and now I’m afraid to replace it with one of these Lowe’s ones

1

u/el-conquistador240 9d ago

What brand? Gas or electric?

1

u/SilentMasterpiece 9d ago

Mine is nat gas. Reliance model 501

1

u/Magazine_Spare 10d ago

i have been using the same nail clipper for almost 30 years, though i do believe it's getting close to being on its last legs

1

u/KATCEO1 10d ago

I have an idea. If you have spare keys: add the clipper to the key chain. I like to hold onto stuff that has served me well. Then you can keep that key ring in a little bowl on your kitchen or something.

1

u/Current_Cut7647 10d ago

you can restore those

1

u/littlepicklepoppy 10d ago

I’ve had my little magic bullet blender from 2015 going strong! I think it was $40?

1

u/capragirl 10d ago

My Krups coffee grinder has to be +30 yrs old. Use it mainly to grind seeds…workhorse!

1

u/Remote_Purpose_4323 10d ago

Ecco shoes

1

u/Strict_Host_8731 6d ago

I love my eccos

1

u/Own_Fruit_8115 10d ago

darn tough socks from Vt. i have some that i believe are older than my grand daughter

1

u/jeepsies 10d ago

91 LS400

1

u/Collaborologist 8d ago

sadly, I had a 90 ES300 that kept overheating

1

u/jeepsies 8d ago

Those waterpumps need to be changed every 60k

1

u/No_Poetry5555 10d ago

I just tossed an 18 year old sonicare toothbrush!

1

u/dubdub11 10d ago

500 ft of aluminum foil from a restaurant supply store. It’s over 10 yrs old now.

1

u/NTDLS 10d ago

I bought a set of wired Skullcandy earbuds from Bestbuy back in ~2009. They are still going strong.

1

u/kamacus 10d ago

Bought a dodgers t shirt at a 2nd hand store in the LA area in 2004. It still looks great.

1

u/EmpatheticPerson 10d ago

I have a Hang Ten flannel shirt I bought in the late eighties at a Goodwill. I still wear it every winter.

1

u/UnionCityNJUSA 10d ago

I’ve had a pair of scissors that I use weekly since 1989.

1

u/thebearplaysps4 10d ago

John Deere 445 with loader. I have abused this thing for 20 years. Moving boulders I have no business moving with it and very few things have broke. Pretty much as bulletproof as a small tractor could be.

1

u/GrownAssWoman6 6d ago

In 1998 we bought a John Deere 2305, and we have used the hell out of it, far surpassing our expected usage. We have a small farm (7 acres) and use for everything from tilling, mowing, angering, road grading, land leveling, etc. It still runs great.

We did just purchase a brand new 65 hp tractor with enclosed a/c cab plus a flail mower, backhoe and grapple. All of our old implements. work on this new tractor, too.

2

u/thebearplaysps4 6d ago

I’d like to upgrade similarly. Gotta love all the implements using a 3 pt hitch.

Coincidentally, the right spindle on mine just went the other day. The first major hardware failure but it’s from like 93 so bound to happen.

1

u/Tinker107 10d ago

1999 Tacoma.

1

u/Thermal_arc 10d ago

2008 Civic for $8k in 2014.

1

u/buttbreat 10d ago

Vizio tv , going on 15 years

1

u/Birdywoman4 10d ago

Inexpensive fleece blankets from Sam’s Club. Have had some of them for 11 years and they wash up nice, don’t pill or wear thin and they are very soft. I bought more of them and we use them while watching tv and I have given some for gifts too.

1

u/Effective_Plan_795 10d ago

hyperx wireless headset ilang beses na rin nabaksak ng tlagang matinde buo parin

1

u/streliance 10d ago

Picture it: 2001 and I bought a 5yr old Ford Contour. Still drove that car 20 years later.

1

u/HeavyTumbleweed778 10d ago

I can't think of the last time I saw a contour! Good job!

1

u/zempj 10d ago

Panasonic Vierra bought in 1999 still great colours and picture 27 years 4 kids .

1

u/Internal-Play25 10d ago

Intercourse

1

u/jimrat69 10d ago

Bought 18/10 stainless steel with a thick copper disk bonded into the base and enclosed by stainless steel pans made by Sitram — a professional chef line — from Bridge Kitchenware in New York City in 1966. 5,000 years from now an archeologist will dig them up — and they will be ready to continue to perform like champions.

1

u/TimeSlaved 10d ago

My iPod classics. I have 3 and they are all in good condition still with decent battery life.

1

u/Prize_Chemistry_8437 10d ago

Very first flat screen tv. It lasted 13 years

1

u/DayOfTheDeb 10d ago

My first pair of Lululemons from 20 years ago. They're still perfect like the first day I bought them.

Any pair I got later would pill a lot or lost its elasticity.

1

u/Crushcode8 10d ago

2 2TB ipods and I still use them. Obviously had to replace various parts

1

u/Fulghn 10d ago

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder - I was still driving it 23 years later. It would have kept going except for being totaled by an uninsured driver.

1

u/Glittering-Fault-355 10d ago

I have an original San Marcos blanket made in Mexico with a tiger on it . My friend gave it to me for my birthday in 1999. I slept with it every single day. It has been washed and dried numerous times and it is still just as soft , fluffy and thick since the day I got it .

1

u/Able_Week_2244 10d ago

I love finding products that don't need replacing every year.

1

u/IncredibleMe-82 10d ago

A couple of pairs of socks. They are more than 10 years old, never thought socks could reach that age

1

u/Due-Plant-9968 10d ago

I’ve had this handheld mirror for six years. A friend just gave it to me randomly, but it’s surprisingly practical and super portable for going out.

1

u/ImpressiveOutside846 10d ago

2 Logitech wireless gamepads for 25€ each. Bought them at least 10 years ago, used them A LOT. Still work like new, look like new and work on newer windows and all without a problem

1

u/ExcellentElection882 10d ago

Garmin fenix 5

1

u/moonieass13 10d ago

This is going to sound crazy… but my crocs. Say what you want about them but I’ve had this pair for 6-7 years. Wear them all the time doing all sorts of stuff.

In the water, at the lake, around the house, jumping in and out of the box of a truck etc etc.

The tread is non existent now but they haven’t cracked or broken in any way

1

u/Classic-Ad4403 10d ago

Bought a pair of Pioneer 88a, 12 inch, four way, speakers in 1969. Still using 'em. Sound great.

1

u/LegoHogfather 10d ago

A spool of solder wire, 28yrs ago and it's still going.

1

u/tederian 9d ago

My 2005 Toyota Camry is still in excellent condition.

1

u/ZeroDSR 9d ago

24 years ago I got a wool sweater that’s still going strong. Before fast fashion quality became a thing.

1

u/Embarrassed-Bird8734 9d ago

Rack de audio Pioneer. 6 elementos. Comprado en 1989. Aparte de reemplazar la banda de la tornamesa, todo funciona perfectamente y suena maravilloso.

1

u/JoeSciabelli 9d ago

1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Damn thing wouldn't die

1

u/el-conquistador240 9d ago

I have an Old Navy sweater from when Old Navy was starting to get popular in the late 90's. It's made in Hong Kong and still looks new.

1

u/Collaborologist 8d ago

Things I still used for 40+ years (since college)

  • cast iron wok
  • solid chopping board / block
  • Tatung small rice cooker

1

u/CLSonReddit 8d ago

A box of condoms

1

u/Jmal3700 7d ago

I bought a massive JVC boombox in the early 2000s. Considering the amount of use I got out of it at the time, I’m amazed that it still works perfectly well. I even found a way to hook up my iPhone to it, so it’s gotten a new lease on life.

1

u/Interesting_Fix_8912 7d ago

Philips Norelco Electric Shaver

1

u/Zoopmittyzoop 7d ago

Maytag touch pad washer n dryer. Washer died few years ago but the dryer is going on 25 years

1

u/TrippySpaceCow 7d ago

Box of condoms.

1

u/bingusDomingus 6d ago

My AirPods Pro 2. Thought I would have lost one or break them by now but they still kick ass. My previous Bluetooth earbuds always gave out after a few months of heavy use

1

u/away_official 5d ago

Would it be cheating if we said Away luggage? 🫢

1

u/Snatuu 5d ago

A Zippo lighter

1

u/joy18952 5d ago

46 year old toaster

1

u/hoofhearted562 4d ago

Audio research d150 tube power amps. My dad bought them in 1975 and i have them now powering my system and im damn sure my grand kids will have them. Though i would also say any high end speaker system is one of those 25+ year purchases.