COLUMBUS (John Matarese) — Everyone likes saving a few dollars when we make a purchase, but there are some things you should never skimp on. That’s because in our attempt to save a couple of bucks….you can end up with junk that you will soon regret buying.
There’s nothing like the thrill of landing a bargain on a pair of shoes or a new dress. But Consumer Reports Magazine’s “Shop Smart” lists a number of items you should never cheap out on.
They include:
House paint: A $10 can may require several coats to look good or hide what is underneath. A $40 can can cover well in one coat.
Beds: A $500 queen set could mean years of sleeping on lumpy springs.
Blu Ray players for less than $20: Fine if you dont mind buying a new one every year.
Vacuum Cleaners: A $50 vacuum cleans like a $50 vacuum according to Consumer Reports. Don’t expect Kirby or Dyson-like performance.
Fire extinguishers: When the kitchens on fire, do you want a $7 aerosol can or a real extinguisher? Pay another 25 bucks for the red one.
Camping Tents: Do you like rain driping on you while you sleep? Skip the cheapest one.
$79 Black Friday Tablets: Each holiday season, thousands of people buy them. 6 months later, many don’t work anymore.
A 15 year old, $1,000 used car for a teenager. If you can’t afford anything better than a dangerous old clunker, then don’t buy them a car.
Grilling Season Caution
And from the “Doesn’t that stink” file, shiny stainless steel barbecue grills for less than $150.
Many buyers end up saying “doesn’t that stink” by the second summer of use.
Consumer Reports says some will rust in a year. Others are so poorly made, their burners can turn into dangerous torches.
And most have such thin, cheap stainless steel, the hood starts to discolor after 3 or 4 uses. No amount of cleaner can fix that.
With many cheap items you are stuck: you can’t return a 2-year old grill. Cheap paint is cheap paint, and when you have to redo it you’ll wish you had spent a bit more.
That way you don’t waste your money.
For the best deals on great vacuums in South Carolina, visit Jones Vacuum Center in Walterboro. Sometimes the cheapest vacuum cleaner turns out to be the most expensive.
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