I need help finding a couch because I think I made a $7,000 mistake.

Our decorator recommended the Bassett Allure Track Arm Bench Sofa, and we ended up buying two of them (92" each, L shaped layout). On paper they seemed perfect (looked nice, modern, sleek) but I absolutely hate them!!

My biggest complaints:

• The back cushions are TERRIBLE. They're flimsy, constantly slouch over, and need fluffing after what feels like every use. They're loose and not fixed to anything which is soooo annoying.
• The backs are also so low that there's basically zero head support. I'm currently 6 months pregnant and it's to the point that I avoid sitting in my living room to avoid sitting on the couch.
• Arm rests suck. Again too low and not really useable.
• They look nice in photos, but they're just not comfortable for actually living in.

The only thing I really like is the seat depth (never had a couch this deep). The bench seat is deep enough to curl up on, and I'd definitely want to keep that.

I'm now thinking of replacing them with a sectional since our living room is huge and I think it'd feel a lot cozier.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Something cozy and sustainable!! Something that our family can sit around and chat/watch TV etc. We have a toddler and a dog and my parents live across the street, so something that everyone can enjoy!
• Deep seat (similar to the Allure)
• Large sectional (roughly replacing two 92" sofas in an L-shaped layout)
• Upholstery that can survive a dog, a 3-year-old, and another baby on the way
• Back cushions that are actually supportive and keep their shape over time
• Taller backs with enough support to comfortably lean your head back
• Modern Mediterranean aesthetic (clean lines, warm neutrals, cannot be traditional as our house is pretty modern)
• Budget is flexible. I'd rather spend more once than keep replacing furniture.

I'm less interested in "the prettiest designer sofa" and more interested in something that's genuinely comfortable every single day and built to last 15-20 years. Any recs??

We've all had that one purchase we couldn't stop thinking about saved up for it, watched reviews, and finally bought it... only to feel disappointed almost immediately.

What was it, and why did it end up being a regret?

That word INSTANTLY makes every purchase break faster.

Vacuum > robotic vacuum.
Prosthesis > robotic prosthesis.
Lawn mower > robotic lawn mower.
Window blinds > robotic blinds.
Pool cleaner > robotic pool cleaner.
Cat toy > robotic cat toy.

It's like adding the word "robot" cuts the lifespan in half and doubles the number of error codes.

Don't get me wrong, when they work they're awesome. But it feels like every robotic gadget eventually reaches the point where you're crawling around on the floor with a screwdriver, trying to reconnect a tiny ribbon cable while Googling "error 27 flashing blue light."

What's your biggest "I thought this would make life easier..." purchase that turned into a maintenance hobby instead?

Eric Javits does make great hats & accessories. But buyer beware of their return policy as I learned the hard way. First, It’s 28 days from the date of purchase (it took 2 weeks to receive my hats), 2) unless you buy the “free return” at time of purchase ($19 per item), you’ll only receive a portion of the refund. I didn’t buy the “free return” so $40 was deducted from my return amount. Their website isn’t the best and customer service is lacking. I wish all of this wasn’t so cuz I love their hats. Won’t be buying from the again, tho.

Has anyone else had reliability issues with the OXO Adjustable Temperature Kettle?

I bought one after seeing it highly recommended in reviews and "best kettle" lists. Reliability was important because there are three tea-drinking adults in my household and the kettle gets used multiple times every day. Before this, we owned two Cuisinart PerfecTemp kettles. Both eventually failed, but each lasted several years of heavy daily use before needing replacement. Based on the reviews, I expected the OXO to be at least as reliable.

The handle on the first kettle broke within a few weeks. The retailer replaced it under warranty.

Unfortunately, the replacement has been worse. The temperature dial usually just spins without changing the temperature setting, making the variable-temperature feature almost unusable. It also usually fails to reach a full boil. I have videos showing both issues and can add them to the comments if helpful.

When I contacted OXO, they suggested descaling the kettle (it was new, right out of the box) and then offered to transfer me to someone else for additional troubleshooting, but would not provide a refund.

At this point I've had two defective OXO kettles in a row. Maybe I've just been incredibly unlucky, but I'm curious whether others have had similar experiences or if I somehow got two lemons.

For those who have owned one long-term, has it been reliable? And if not, what variable-temperature kettle would you buy instead?

The brand is "Figmint" and I bought it online at Target last summer after having another metal scoop have the paint wear off it (after nearly two decades of use, I might add). I compared carefully to get something metal with no moving parts that could break, no bells or whistles, no paint.

And it turns out to have a finish that is peeling and flaking now.

WHY? Do they really save that much money making a non-permanent ice cream scoop?

Maybe I'll stake out a Baskin-Robbins and break in after hours for one of theirs. 😄 I'd definitely prefer to just buy one, though.

Bought lifetime access to this training service through Stack Social in 2020 and now suddenly it isn't lifetime?

​

I wonder when my lifetime rosetta stone access is next?

What are the longest lasting slip-on shoes you have ever known about? How long do they last you, or how long have they lasted you so far?

​

What slip-on shoes would you consider to be "buy it for life?"

​

I'm in and out of my car dozens of times a day to deliver for doordash. I deliver for doordash 5 days a week. Therefore, I rack up a lot of miles and plenty of steps.

I came here about 6 years ago looking for a quality wallet to replace my old leather one which was falling apart. I came across the ridge wallet and was initially impressed by the apparent build quality and lifetime warranty. I ended up buying both a wallet and key ring. Initial impressions were positive but both fell apart this year (6 years after I bought them).

I tried to contact the company but there is no phone number. I submitted a warranty claim (with photos of the broken items) and heard nothing for near 2 weeks. I emailed them about the claim and got an immediate AI response saying my claim would be flagged. . . Still heard nothing. I emailed again and got no response. If you search their site you can find a "real time chat" option. I spoke to someone (possibly AI though they claim not to be) who approved my claim. When I voiced my disappointment in the product and the process I was met with a "Yeah that sounds frustrating". After a week I got a shipping notice from OnTRAC. Shipping was delayed 3 times. Today it was listed as delivered but nothing showed up.

I will never buy a product from them again. I do not recommend. Please learn from my experience.

At some point I paid out a lot of money for a Dell XPS 9100 and a 24 inch monitor. I also got a Dell Inspiron on Black Friday at Costco. 17 inch monitor.

I sadly watched as both Windows 7 machines have become unusable.

Prime Day Deals are coming up.

I am retired so don't need superfancy.

Any recommendations for say a $500 Computer that does Windows 11?

I am miserable without a working machine.

Not talking about houses or cars. More like the $300 gadget you had in your cart for two weeks, the gym equipment that would've become a clothes rack, the subscription you nearly upgraded. What made you pause, and are you glad you did?

Our basement always smelt damp in the summer. Clothes will feel sticky; the air feels heavy. We finally bought a dehumidifier after finding a little mould in the corner. Our little way to keep the environment neutral.
I plugged it in and let it run. On the first day, it filled the tank twice. I didn't realise how much water was in the air.

After a week, the smell was gone. Our basement felt cooler even though the temperature didn't change. We managed it and started using the space again for laundry and storage.
The warranty card mentioned an Alibaba seller in the fine print under 'distributor', showing that the dehumidifier has a 3-year warranty. I'm happy to know that, and I hope I do not have any reason to return this item because it’s been saving us a lot of stress.
Anyway, now I empty it every morning unfailingly. I love that it hums constantly. It also cut down on the dust and the musty smell on our jackets. My partner has fewer allergy flare-ups since we started running it. I never thought about humidity until we had a problem. Now I check the tank level before I check the weather.
I wish we had bought one years earlier instead of just running fans.

Hikvision villa kit: NOT "built to last" — forces ongoing €8/month subscription or basic features don't work. €300 upfront becomes €780 over 5 years.

I bought what was marketed as a "complete" home security kit: DS-KV6114 door station + DS-KH9320 indoor monitor. Everything works locally, but remote access via 4G requires mandatory €8/month cloud subscription.

THE TRAP:

- Standalone Hikvision IP cameras: FREE cloud access (same infrastructure)

- Villa kit: MANDATORY PAID subscription

- Documentation: Non-existent/vague (AI-generated marketing only)

- Support: Zero. Hikvision ignores direct inquiries

- Distributors: Incompetent. They admit "we don't know how it works"

- Return window: You discover the trap AFTER 14-day return period expires (spent 2 weeks troubleshooting)

REAL COST:

- Kit: €300

- Cloud subscription: €8/month × 60 months = €480

- TOTAL: €780 for what should have been a one-time purchase

This isn't "built to last" — it's "built to force ongoing payments." Same Hikvision cloud servers, different price depending on product line = deliberate vendor lock-in.

6.7K Redditors confirmed: this is systematic predatory design.

Wanted to share for anyone considering Parachute linen bedding. The D2C retailer.

I bought the Parachute Linen Box Quilt (king size, Tobacco) + matching pillowcases in Dec 2024. It’s been in regular home use (no pets, normal gentle washing), and after only 16 months it’s started ripping along the seams in multiple spots.

This isn’t just light fraying — the fabric is wearing through right at the stitch lines.

I reached out to Parachute, and they said this is considered “normal wear and tear” and not a defect (see screenshot ).

For the price, I was expecting something that would hold up significantly longer, especially since the failure points seem structural (seams).

Curious if others have had similar experiences with Parachute linen products, or if this is an outlier.

Hi! We're a team of UC Berkeley students studying people's online shopping experiences for a school project. If you've ever shopped online, we'd love to hear from you! The survey takes about 10 minutes, and one randomly selected participant will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

SURVEY LINK

Thank you so much!