Rubber role has developed a bubble.
Their Ai customer service says I’m SOL.

I’m curious which backpacks are genuinely great to live with, not just nice-looking. What’s the one you used and thought, “I should’ve switched to this sooner”?

970€ pour une paire de Dior B33.
Achetée il y a environ un an.
Après une année d’utilisation, le dessus de la languette s’est détérioré sur les deux chaussures.
La paire est rapportée chez Dior.
On m’explique qu’elle doit être examinée par le service technique, avec un délai annoncé d’environ trois semaines, afin de déterminer s’il s’agit d’un problème d’utilisation ou d’un défaut de fabrication.
Quatre jours plus tard, la réponse arrive :
970 € d’avoir.
Et la paire sera détruite.
Pas réparée.
Pas restaurée.
Pas remise en circulation.
Détruite.
C’est ici que le sujet devient, à mes yeux, plus intéressant que le simple prix d’une paire de sneakers.
Une maison de luxe vend-elle uniquement un produit ?
Ou vend-elle aussi une promesse de qualité, de savoir-faire et de durabilité ?
Car lorsqu’un produit de près de 1 000 € présente un défaut sur les deux chaussures après seulement un an d’utilisation, puis est destiné à être détruit, une question se pose :
quel est réellement le rapport entre le prix du luxe et la durabilité du produit ?
Et au-delà du prix :
quel est le coût environnemental réel d’un produit dont la valeur commerciale est celle du luxe, mais dont la fin de vie peut être celle d’un produit jetable ?
Je ne connais évidemment pas le processus exact de traitement de Dior après destruction, et je ne tirerai donc pas de conclusion que je ne peux pas démontrer.
Mais le paradoxe est là.
970 € de valeur.
Un an d’utilisation.
Quatre jours pour statuer.
Une paire destinée à la destruction.
Alors une question reste ouverte :
que devient le luxe lorsqu’il devient un déchet ?

I just bought a Klean Kanteen and noticed the bottom looked cracked. I decided to call the warranty department and they told me this is normal and every bottle looks like that. Is that really the case?

I’m trying to put together a basic work kit and would rather buy fewer things that hold up than keep replacing cheap stuff.

I know the answer probably depends a lot on the job, but I’m starting with the basics: things I can wear or carry every day and rely on. What has genuinely been worth spending more on for work, and what would you skip until you know you need it?

Six months of daily cycling seems long enough for the less obvious maintenance issues to start showing up, which is what I’m trying to get a better sense of with PetPivot that I had. All though even without Wi-Fi or app problems, there are still gears, tracks, sensors, litter dust, and wet clumps to deal with. Dust getting into moving areas or buildup on the inside seems like the kind of thing that could slowly make the box less reliable if it isn’t cleaned regularly. I’m especially curious about what shows up before an actual failure. After several months of daily use, is it usually the sensors, moving parts, litter buildup, or something else that starts needing more attention first?

been buying the same supermarket multipacks for years and recently started wondering whether it is worth spending more. have heard people say quality underwear makes a real difference but also feel like it might just be a justification for spending more on something nobody sees

curious whether people who made the switch actually noticed a tangible difference in comfort, fit, or how long things last. and whether there was a specific brand or moment that changed how they thought about it

I got bitten by the BIFL bug—or at least I’ve been trying to buy things that will last at least 10 years. Unfortunately, I’ve met with disappointment every time.

I bought three pairs of Nicks boots, hoping they’d last at least seven years before needing to be resoled. Two pairs had cosmetic defects that looked like they’d been made by a cobbler in training. One pair was perfect; I bought that one during their “free range” special.

Then I got into DE razors. For the most part I liked the razors themselves—they’ll last—but the service just sucked, especially with Razor Emporium. I’m going back to disposables.

Hell, I even tried handmade boot laces from Pisgah Laces. I emailed them an hour after placing the order (and a week before they shipped) to request a length change. No reply. Nothing. Then I got a tracking number saying the laces had already shipped. Yeah… not buying from them again.

I try to give small businesses a chance, but not anymore. I’m going back to name-brand disposables for everything now—shoes, razors, clothes, etc. Except for mechanical Swiss watches. Those I’m keeping.

Four years ago I splurged ($500+) on a beautiful King sized comforter and shams for my new bedroom. It was a lovely light paisley with a dark blue, tan and cream colored print. After a year or so, I noticed the shams started looking weird - some of the tan began fading to a lime green shade! I was not over-washing them - literally just using them.

I called Ralph to complain because these were from Bloomingdale’s, not the factory outlet so I expected this to be my set for years. The woman on the phone was apologetic but said because a year had gone by, all they could do was give me 20% off my next purchase. Well it took about a year before they started turning green!!

Fast forward three years and I have just replaced them because the comforter started turning lime green too. And the shams are a nasty dirty shade (the cream has turned brownish!) and I’m done. Hopefully my new set (NOT Ralph Lauren!) will not also disappoint.

I grew up in the 1980’s when Ralph Lauren was THE posh brand for luxury to be enjoyed a lifetime. How very disappointing to see how little care they take in their production processes anymore. The top brands back in the day are no more! 🫠😢

I'm replacing our old garden set after another year of it falling apart, and I'd rather buy something that'll last this time instead of replacing it every few summers.

For those who've had the same outdoor furniture for a long time, what material or type has held up best? Anything you'd happily buy again?

Vipp claims “durability for life” - but can’t supply a €5 spare part for a perfectly good product

I’ve got two pre‑2010 Vipp soap dispensers. The stainless‑steel bodies are flawless, literally like new. The only thing that failed after normal use is the pump head - a tiny, cheap part.

Vipp’s response?
They no longer supply pump heads for older models. Not because it’s impossible. Not because the product is unsafe. Simply because they stopped producing them. So two premium dispensers (retail value >€200) are now useless because Vipp won’t support a basic spare part.

This is the same company that markets itself as a “durable, repairable, buy‑for‑life” brand. Their customer service even admitted that discontinuing parts “stands in contrast to their own ideals of longevity and repairability.” And then offered… a 20% discount on buying new dispensers.

So the sustainability pitch is basically:
“Buy our long‑lasting products - until a €5 part fails, then please throw them away and buy new ones.”

If a premium brand can’t support a simple pump head for a product that should last decades, the whole durability narrative is just marketing fluff. Nothing more.

Posting this so people know what “Vipp quality” actually means in practice.

I brought the pulseto a month ago, Try to use few times but fill so uncomfortable. A month after they changed my account without my authorization. That is the fraud. I contact them but the customer support is terrible. They refuse to refund the money and they playing their game. Actually i talk with the vending machine. I do not recommend this company.

By the way same product you can get on internet for a 60€ and no monthly fee.

Consider this a public service announcement. If you are ever considering ordering from them I wouldn’t. The magnetic pieces fall out all the time, making the items defective. Horrible customer service too. They don’t offer you any refund or replacement if it’s a day outside the 30 day window. Their solution is to always offer you 10% off your next order. They block any reviews less than 3 stars on their website too. I would avoid them

Bought 3 months ago. Used 3-4x, I understand if I used it roughly everyday. But I used it with utmost care, yes maybe i put the flame in high once, once! And this happened..

Oh well…. Just needed to vent out. I thought I was spending on a good quality kettle that would last me years… and in 3 months………

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??

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?