Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Things that look like a really frugal, smart deal...but are anything but.
I pondered this several weeks ago when I was short on cash and didn't have my wallet on hand, and bought generic toilet paper, 88 cents for a four-pack, instead of my usual Scott TP. The 88-cent TP was loosely rolled and thin, and didn't last a week. (Plus it doesn't break down like Scott and is more likely to back up a system.) The Scott TP lasts me a month, easy.
A few years ago the heater blower motor on my truck went out. My regular indy shop told me it was about $500 to replace it. They called later and said they could do an after-market blower for a little over $300.00. I agreed but have regretted it ever since. I saved less than $200....but I have a blower motor that is really, annoyingly noisy (for both AC and heat) and doesn't do a great job of defrosting, heating or cooling unless on full noisy blast. Had I known, I would have asked them to do the OEM part and paid the extra money.
I have a friend who I recently found out is "buying" a bunch of appliances and electronics from Rent-A-Center. She and her family have very little money, but apparently "need" a washer and dryer, big-screen TV and a laptop so much that they are paying, like, $1,500 for a $400 laptop (I went online and price-shopped), about two grand for a washer and dryer they could have gotten for $200 perfectly good used off of craigslist, and I don't even want to get into the big-screen TV they have.
"It's the only way we could afford them...it's only $40 a week!"
So that's just a few ideas...what else do you think are traps for people?
The warranties that come with many items - electronics, appliances, etc. There are so many restrictions, and often you are given a refurbished model. Years ago we had a computer monitor go out. They sent us a 'new' one (actually refurbished) and it broke in about a month. That happened several times with the monitor so now we do not get warranties.
1. Those extortionist check cashing places that give you your money right away even if you don't have a bank account, but they charge an incredible rate to do so.
2. Similar businesses that give you an advance on your income tax refund.
Poor people are the ones who are taken advantage of by these places; I don't know how these business owners sleep at night!
There was a popular restaraunt years ago where they served unlimited shrimp on their salad bar....the shrimp was WILDLY overcooked and rubbery and had no flavor and people scarfed it up like there was no tomorrow....
Things that look like a really frugal, smart deal...but are anything but.
I pondered this several weeks ago when I was short on cash and didn't have my wallet on hand, and bought generic toilet paper, 88 cents for a four-pack, instead of my usual Scott TP. The 88-cent TP was loosely rolled and thin, and didn't last a week. (Plus it doesn't break down like Scott and is more likely to back up a system.) The Scott TP lasts me a month, easy.
A few years ago the heater blower motor on my truck went out. My regular indy shop told me it was about $500 to replace it. They called later and said they could do an after-market blower for a little over $300.00. I agreed but have regretted it ever since. I saved less than $200....but I have a blower motor that is really, annoyingly noisy (for both AC and heat) and doesn't do a great job of defrosting, heating or cooling unless on full noisy blast. Had I known, I would have asked them to do the OEM part and paid the extra money.
I have a friend who I recently found out is "buying" a bunch of appliances and electronics from Rent-A-Center. She and her family have very little money, but apparently "need" a washer and dryer, big-screen TV and a laptop so much that they are paying, like, $1,500 for a $400 laptop (I went online and price-shopped), about two grand for a washer and dryer they could have gotten for $200 perfectly good used off of craigslist, and I don't even want to get into the big-screen TV they have.
"It's the only way we could afford them...it's only $40 a week!"
So that's just a few ideas...what else do you think are traps for people?
Rent a Center is a HUGE ripoff. They prey on idiots who don't have a lot of cash on hand.
I always have the Mantra "Pennywise, Poundpoor" playing in my head whenever I make any kind of financial decision.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
