For instance, stainless steel appliances. Sure, they look great and they do add value to your home, but they are highly overrated. They smudge so easily and cost upwards of $200+ more per appliance just to have a stainless front. Every single time you touch them, the fingerprints look awful. If we weren't planning on selling in about 4 years, I would be perfectly content with white!
Front loader washing machines. Again, they look amazing. But they harbor skanky water in the door rim. They don't really clean any better than traditional washers and they cost LOTS more. The pedestals cost over $200 each, and you totally need them, unless you are REALLY short. I will not be buying them again, that is for sure. If it hadn't been for the great deal we got on repo units, no way would I have forked out the cash for these.
Granite counter tops. We don't have these, but based on horror stories I have heard, I am thankful this was one status symbol I didn't buy into. They crack and dull easily. You can see fingerprints very easily. They need sealed twice a year and they are WAY pricey!
It is unfortunate our society has become obsessed with status symbols that seemingly represent that you have money. Our parents were so content years ago with much less. They would get their broken appliances repaired and make them last. Now we just dispose of everything and get a new one.
What overrated item did you purchase that you wish you hadn't? I'd love to have your wisdom!
4 comments:
I love the stainless steel! I wipe them down once a week with a furniture polish wipe and it keeps them shiny (they do that in the showrooms).
My front loaders I love. Granted I would buy a different brand next time BUT they use alot less water and are quiet. They dry a ton faster too because so much water is removed from the clothes during the spin. I like that the clothes are not swishing in filthy water like a traditional machine.
I agree with the granite. I like my plain old laminate tops...although I really would love concrete tops that are colored with acid stain. I actually wished I would have splurged a little MORE on my dishwasher and bought a Bosch I hated to spend an extra $200 for it but I think it would have been worth it, since I run my machine 30-4 times a day. What I think is overrated is the expensive HE detergent for the front load washers! The homemade stuff works great for a fraction of the price!
Our front loader door has to be kept open, otherwise, it develops a horrible smell. I like that they use less water, but I think the clothes still swish in dirty water. They do ring out more dryly, which is nice.
I'm in the dark ages because I don't have any must have items. LOL
I've resisted stainless steel for years. We'll see what the next trend might be, and then watch it come and go from the sidelines. I'd like a huge wood-paneled refrigerator that blends in with the cabinetry one day when I'm rich. ;0)
I regret the day that I bought my front loaders. I have the Kenmore HE units, and never did spend the money on the pedestals. The washer is noisy, and it does get a funky smelling gunk on the front seal. I would love to have a tub to soak things in, like the old days...but I do appreciate the water efficiency. The electronics components seem to get so many error codes. Thank goodness we are do-it-yourselfers.
And as for counter tops? I wanted solid surface, and Joe says "No". So, we are likely going to let him do 24 inch tile, or I will forever have teal-colored laminate. I hope I don't sound ungrateful, because we are so blessed!
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