Post by: garrettwc on April 28, 2006, 07:47:37 AM
So what else have you come across that's a good value for the money? Clothes, watches, shoes, home appliances, etc. any consumer goods.
Post by: K Frame on April 28, 2006, 08:03:17 AM
It used to be Kenmore appliances were good values, but I think they've slipped some, although I've found it impossible to kill my Kenmore microwave.
Post by: Mabs2 on April 28, 2006, 08:19:08 AM
I know, it's hard to believe.
Post by: garrettwc on April 28, 2006, 08:31:46 AM
Quote
The name brand stuff really IS usually better than the knock off stuff.
I know, it's hard to believe.
True, but in some cases you are paying for the name and it wears out as quick or quicker than the 2nd tier stuff.
I know, it's hard to believe.
Post by: auschip on April 28, 2006, 08:51:10 AM
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on April 28, 2006, 08:53:52 AM
Older Mercedes-Benz diesels, like the 300D, and 240D.
Old volvo 240s.
Verizon Wireless. At least in San Diego, no other service comes close to Verizon's coverage.
Post by: Mabs2 on April 28, 2006, 09:16:29 AM
Quote from: garrettwc
Quote
The name brand stuff really IS usually better than the knock off stuff.
I know, it's hard to believe.
True, but in some cases you are paying for the name and it wears out as quick or quicker than the 2nd tier stuff.I know, it's hard to believe.
Post by: Brad Johnson on April 28, 2006, 09:20:22 AM
More stuff...
-Dollar double cheeseburgers at McDonalds and BurgerKing
-Year-old Ford Crown Victoria
and the best value of all..
-True friends
Brad
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on April 28, 2006, 09:22:05 AM
Mosin-nagants
Post by: charby on April 28, 2006, 09:52:35 AM
Honda Engine (small ones like on lawnmowers, tiller and generators)
Eddie Bauer clothing
Ralph Lauren clothing when bought on sale of course
Slumberjack Sleeping bags
Kelty Tents (you get what you pay for tents bought at the big box discount stores)
Loomis Fishing Poles
Cabelas Brand Hunting Boots
Wenger or Victornox Watches
SOG Knives
Remington 870
Ruger GP-100
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on April 28, 2006, 09:54:28 AM
Post by: K Frame on April 28, 2006, 09:56:13 AM
Was your mother a frigging yetti or something?
"True friends"
Fuh. Highly overrated!
Post by: Brad Johnson on April 28, 2006, 10:27:34 AM
I have duck feet. Unlike most people, the widest part of my foot is not at the ball, but at the tips of my toes. Makes it frustratingly hard to find good fitting shoes. Aside from handmades, the only storebought shoes I have are Redwings.
Notice I said "True Friends and not "good friends". There is a distinction. One will come bail you out of jail, the other will be sitting there with you saying, "Damn, that was fun!'
Brad
Post by: K Frame on April 28, 2006, 10:42:32 AM
Post by: grislyatoms on April 28, 2006, 10:44:02 AM
I have used it for so many things I wouldn't be without it.
Post by: K Frame on April 28, 2006, 10:47:33 AM
Add a couple of cinder blocks and you can get rid of good friends that way...
Post by: grislyatoms on April 28, 2006, 11:00:42 AM
Post by: garrettwc on April 28, 2006, 11:04:35 AM
Quote
I have duck feet. Unlike most people, the widest part of my foot is not at the ball, but at the tips of my toes.
So I'm betting you don't own too many pairs of those real pointy toed cowboy boots. Back on topic.
Casio G-shock watches.
Post by: grislyatoms on April 28, 2006, 11:04:45 AM
Post by: zahc on April 28, 2006, 11:30:46 AM
Post by: Brad Johnson on April 28, 2006, 11:42:03 AM
They were going to give it to me free just for carting it off, but I gave them a buck for it just to be nice. No telling how many thousands of dollars it's saved me.
Brad
Post by: Monkeyleg on April 28, 2006, 12:48:38 PM
Freschetta frozen pizzas.
Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.
Polish girls.
That pretty much sums up my life.
Post by: The Rabbi on April 28, 2006, 01:40:07 PM
I dunno about Polish girls. In general my observation is that women are a poor value any way you go.
Post by: doczinn on April 28, 2006, 01:43:22 PM
Born shoes, according to my wife.
USMC-issue desert boots, the old ones that look almost like jungle boots.
Keystone Ice - don't laugh, it's cheap, strong, and goes down reeeeeal smooth.
used guns
Post by: Phantom Warrior on April 28, 2006, 03:23:15 PM
VICTORINOX Swiss Army knives (Wengers suck)
Any Maglite flashlight
Surefire flashlights (esp one w/ a pocket clip)
Gerber multitools
Discraft 175 gram discs (frisbee)
A decent laptop with a wireless card (mine's an HP)
Post by: grampster on April 28, 2006, 03:34:59 PM
A Walther P99 and 5 or 6 boxes of 9mm.
Looking at grandchildren who have just fallen asleep in the spare bedroom.
A fine wife, who slugs you in the arm when you say or do something because she was thinking the same thought and starting to do the same thing at the same moment.
The color of the sky and water produced by the setting sun on fluffy evening clouds and across the flat waters of the lake on a warm, calm summer night.
Wolverine Boots.
Good fitting jeans and a soft, old flannel shirt.
Super premium ice cream.
Fine, fine spirits and an occasional real cigarette; the ones with pure tobacco and no additives.
Top quality canvas khaki's with no pleats and a little elastic in the sides. Regular cut.
The smell of fresh mown grass.
Saturday morning breakfast with neighbors and friends.
Sons, who despite their warts and grey hair giving proclivities, actually absorbed the difference between right and wrong and are gentlemen and hard workers to the core.
A woman who stood by through thick and thin.
Coming to grips with the reality of the "The Book of Ecclesiastes" and "The Book of Job", which gives rise to a faith in Jesus.
The smell of little babies.
Post by: Gewehr98 on April 28, 2006, 05:01:50 PM
KFC is definitely NOT a good value, with my physiology, one only rents KFC menu items. Either stay there at KFC for the explosive aftermath (best idea, you're using their facilities), or drive directly home to the bathroom. No stopping somewhere else enroute, things happen fast, very little warning, maybe a cramp or burble if you're lucky.
Harbor Freight Tools, but you have to be selective. There are good things camouflaged in a store full of cheap chinese junk. I've started memorizing SKU numbers.
Tektronix Phaser 560 and Phaser 780 factory color laser toner cartridges on eBay. $9.99 each for the Phaser 560, and that'll print about 5000 pages. $24.99 for the Phaser 780 toner cartridges, again, about 5000 pages per, but that also covers legal and tabloid size paper to full bleed width and height. We've thrown out or sold all of our inkjet printers since we acquired the color laser machines. Check the retail prices of those toner cartridges if you don't think that's a good deal!
Used HP LaserJet 4 printers. They run forever, need minimal maintenance, and are economical on toner. If something hiccups, just point your browser to www.fixyourownprinter.com and do it yourself. For example:
http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/search/center?q=hp+laserjet+4
Berry's copper-plated bullets. Accurate, no leading, and considerably cheaper than jacketed.
Foaming bore cleaner. The bee's knees. Almost as wonderful a value as mixing your own Ed's Red bore cleaner.
Ed's Red bore cleaner. Get the recipe and head down to WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc. Mix a big batch, and clean a lot of guns for a long time for pennies. Anhydrous Lanolin is an optional ingredient, if you can't find it locally.
WW231 or WST powder. I use WST for .38 Special, 9mm Luger, 9mm Steyr, .44 Special, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt. That's a great value to me.
Older APC Back-UPS 800 RT units. They're beefy, and provide a long run time when the power goes out. But they need 4 each sealed lead-acid batteries every 5 years or so. That's when organizations/businesses/people simply discard them, and go buy new UPS units with new batteries inside. So I buy a pallet-load or two at DRMO auctions, get a serious discount on a bunch of new batteries, and voila'! Family and friends have uninterruptible power supplies on all their TV, stereo, DVD, computer, nightstand alarm clock, X-Box, PlayStation, etc. Rather nice here in flicker 'n flash Florida.
Snapper self-propelled lawnmowers. Mine's just over 20 years old, and is still parts-interchangeable with new ones. Same thing with their riding lawnmowers, that goofy disk-drive power transfer system hasn't changed. Neat!
As stated before, the Remington 870, particularly the Express version.
Replica Colt or Remington black powder revolvers.
Post by: brimic on April 28, 2006, 06:18:33 PM
Toyota Pickups
Spiderco knives
Wusthof Kitchen knives
Leinenkugels beer
LaCrosse hunting boots
Anything made by CZ/BRNO
Amish Furniture
Post by: garyk/nm on April 28, 2006, 06:24:15 PM
Lands End clothing. I've got an Extreme Squall jacket (gore-tex) going on 15 years old and it still looks good and does the job. Same with their shirts; 4-5 years, no problem.
Sauza tequila. As smooth as (much) higher priced labels.
Post by: esheato on April 28, 2006, 06:36:14 PM
Ed
Post by: jefnvk on April 28, 2006, 06:44:11 PM
With the exception of alcohol. With that, spending a few bucks of my own money is usually the much better value.
Post by: SpookyPistolero on April 28, 2006, 06:53:47 PM
The AK.
Those Brinkman lithium surefire-type flashlights at Walmart.
BlueMoon beer, with an orange.
A strong leatherman-type multi-tool.
Probably more to come..
Post by: Vodka7 on April 28, 2006, 07:15:34 PM
All for less than the cost of one movie at a theater.
Klipsch PC speakers--expensive, but in the seven years I've owned a pair of 2.1's, I've never even thought of upgrading my speakers, nor been disappointed with the way anything sounds on them. Occaisionally I go grazy and think about buying a faster PC than I need or getting a flatscreen, but I've never entertained the idea of buying new speakers.
Post by: cosine on April 28, 2006, 07:39:48 PM
Martin D-15
Steinway Grand pianos
Leblanc clarinets
Yamaha Clavinovas
Special 20s
Post by: Guest on April 28, 2006, 08:17:42 PM
Old Hickory Kitchen Knives
Case Trapper
Case Bird/Trout fixed blade and sheath
Norton India Oil Stones
Used Police trade in Model 10s
Used Police 870 shotguns
H&R / NEF single shot shotguns
Old used Lever Actions [make mind 30-30 please]
MEC single stage reloader
Maytag washer and dryer
Oil Lamps
Maglights ( all sizes)
Coleman Lanterns [old red ones from garage sales the best]
LLBean Blue Jeans
Ammo boxes [various sizes]
LLBean/ Cabelas Brass Candle Lanterns
Tea lights
Zippo Lighters
Simple Green
Dexron II /IIE ATF for gun lube
RIG
Johnson's Paste Wax
Patchworm [gun cleaning kit]
Otis Tactical Kit
USGI surplus .38spl/45 ACP cleaning rod
#2 pencils made of real wood with real lead
Cast Iron skillets, dutch ovens...cookware
Stainless pots
Hand held Can Opener
Aluminum Foil
.
.
.
Post by: Jamisjockey on April 29, 2006, 04:50:57 AM
Scanttate bicycles. They were sold under the Supergo brand, but are now part of Performance bicycle. (www.performancebike.com)
Cheap cereal. That stuff that comes in the bag, vs. a name brand in the box.
Post by: grampster on April 29, 2006, 09:07:03 AM
Post by: Guest on April 29, 2006, 09:30:11 AM
Quote from: cosine
Swiss Army knives
Martin D-15
Steinway Grand pianos
Leblanc clarinets
Yamaha Clavinovas
Special 20s
...Fender Telecaster/Stratocaster guitars, Marshall guitar amps, Ibanez Tubescreamer overdrive pedal,...
Martin D-15
Steinway Grand pianos
Leblanc clarinets
Yamaha Clavinovas
Special 20s
Post by: SpookyPistolero on April 29, 2006, 09:55:25 AM
Post by: Antibubba on April 29, 2006, 08:25:00 PM
The SKS.
Used books, and the odd stores you find them in.
Dogs.
A $10 pair of sunglasses.
(Gently) Used Army boots.
A long, hot shower.
Spring, when the ladies start wearing their flowery little dresses!
THR and APS.
Post by: HForrest on April 30, 2006, 12:01:59 AM
Quote
Ecco shoes. They tend to cost a bit more, but are more comfortable and last longer in my experience.
Definitely seconded. After buying crappy outlet store shoes for years, I got a couple pairs of Eccos about a year ago... very durable and comfortable. I generally have to scrounge around for wide shoes, but the European sizing fits perfectly. So far they're still in great shape.RC Cola. If you want high-fructose corn syrup-ey, mass-produced liquid candy, there's no reason to pay more for Coke or Pepsi brand.
Bic lighters. Cheap, relatively long lasting, no wicks/flints/fuel to buy and replace constantly, and don't impart taste to cigars.
Apple computers... they just work. While I still use and will continue to use Windows, Mac OSX turned me into a believer. It just works.
High-quality cell phones. The first 3 cell phones I had were the free ones provided with the plan... one was giant and bulky, and the other 2 just flat-out stopped working after a very short period of time. I decided to pay the extra money for a Motorola RAZR a while back, and while it isn't perfect, it's a well made electronic device. I've been happy with it.
"Greased Lightning" brand cleaner... it doesn't have harsh fumes and works better than any other cleaner I've seen.
Eagle Backpacks. After having many backpacks fall apart after less than a year of relatively rough use, I bought an Eagle AIII and it's given me almost 3 years of performance and durability.
And, as jefnvk mentioned, free stuff.
Post by: ...has left the building. on April 30, 2006, 04:32:36 AM
Post by: Gewehr98 on April 30, 2006, 04:54:29 AM
If you're eating fruits and veggies from Denio's Open Market, make damned good and sure you wash them thoroughly.
Otherwise, your weight-loss plan may kick into hyperdrive.
Don't ask me how I know.
BTW, that one corner of Denio's where the food vendors are located always reminded me of the binjo ditches in Osan and Kunsan, Korea. I'll never forget that smell!
Post by: Guest on April 30, 2006, 06:40:42 AM
A simple solid gun- no frills, preferably old US or newer eastern Europe.
NEW tools. I do not know if anybody has been following this, but tools are a heck of a bargain these days. 20 years ago I bought a powermatic 66 tablesaw- can buy it today for little more than I spent then NOT COUNTING INFLATION!! Same holds true for other tools.
Your health, your family and your friends.
Good wood - the smell of fresh cut walnut or Port Orford cedar
Simple good food.
This is an interesting thread- so much of what we are taught by society to "value" HAS no value- like glitz and fashion, fame and fancy expendables, etc.
Post by: Stickjockey on April 30, 2006, 07:22:57 AM
Quote from: Gewehr98
Harbor Freight Tools, but you have to be selective. There are good things camouflaged in a store full of cheap chinese junk. I've started memorizing SKU numbers.
I'd love to see that list.
Post by: doczinn on April 30, 2006, 09:36:44 AM
Quote
The first 3 cell phones I had were the free ones provided with the plan... one was giant and bulky, and the other 2 just flat-out stopped working after a very short period of time.
The one I have was free with my plan and has lasted 2 years and 4 months so far. There's still nothing at all wrong with it. And the price was right.
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on April 30, 2006, 09:40:17 AM
Post by: Antibubba on April 30, 2006, 10:52:55 AM
Never heard of it. There's a Sunday morning market under Hghwy 50, at 8th Street-at least 30 vendors. But I wash everything anyway.
Post by: Iain on April 30, 2006, 02:13:37 PM
Gym membership.
My first pair of Merrell trainers. Bought them in '99, the soles are now slick, but I still wear them for dry walks.
Army surplus canvas sack and 120lbs of sand made one of the best training tools I can afford.
Whey from wheyconsortium. Sort of tastes like ass, but is so cheap I don't care.
My 1938 Epiphone Olympic. Made in New York and made well. It was cheap when it was made and now people think it is was an expensive guitar. I got it in a junk shop and it still plays good, may need a neck reset but I'm sort of loathe to do anything to it.
Ubuntu (or other linux distro) from what I can tell. Repairing the decent computer soon and I'm going to install it on an old 8gb hard drive. Free OS that actually provides the functionality I need (word processing, internet, dvd) seems like value for money. I put it on an old laptop, but the laptop was just too old. Looked promising though.
Post by: Felonious Monk/Fignozzle on May 01, 2006, 03:26:41 AM
...oh, and +1 on the Volvo 240's. I own 2; a '91 Sedan which is my everyday commuter, and a '92 wagon which is my daugher's car and backup when other cars are in the shop.
Post by: roo_ster on May 01, 2006, 07:13:02 AM
Quality, comfy, re-soleable
Carhartt Jackets
Tough & look better as they age
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) brand outdoors gear
Great quality at 75% the cost of name brand gear
Smith & Wesson 1911
Best made & most reliable 1911.
Beretta quick-open lightweight knives
Light, slick, sharp
Quality cowboy boots
One pair will last a lifetime for a city boy, assuming care & re-soleing.
Allen Edmund shoes
Absolutely the most comfy formal, leather-soled shoes.
Used S&W revolvers
Surefire flash
Not just the best, but start at just ~$35
Ed's Red Bore Cleaner
Mobil 1 Oil
When used on old milsurp guns
Nissan Pickups
Toyota reliability at much less cost
Motorola Timeport Cell phone
Follow-on to Star-Tac. I abused that poor thing for three years.
Army GI wool/cotton/nylon blend socks (black)
Fedora Linux (or other distro)
Audi 4000
I owned two of 'em, way back when. If you could fix niggling electrical stuff, the mechanicals would last a LONG time.
Milton's multi-grain bread
We call it "yummy bread" at our house
Pork loin bought from Costco
As cheap as chicken
Post by: w turner on May 01, 2006, 08:18:52 AM
Lee reloading kits.....produce the same quality at 1/2 or 1/3 the price of competitors
Honda vehicles and engines
Surefire lights
Dorcy lights at Wal Mart. Inexpensive, but pretty well made for the money.
Rocky boots
New Balance shoes
Duluth Trading Company t-shirts
Stanley tools
police trade in SW model 10's
police trade in remington 870's/SW pump guns
That's about all I can htink of right now....
Post by: doczinn on May 01, 2006, 07:15:54 PM
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on May 01, 2006, 07:42:48 PM
Post by: doczinn on May 01, 2006, 08:42:15 PM
I delivered ice cream to all the 99 Cents Only stores in LA and the surrounding area for a while, and not a week passed without me taking home something that I happened to see as I walked through the aisles.
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on May 01, 2006, 08:53:10 PM
Post by: m1911owner on May 01, 2006, 10:39:23 PM
Tentative +1 for Ecco shoes. I just bought a pair, and so far they're treating me very well.
The 3 LED, Ultra Brightness, 1 AAA Matterhorn flashlight from Peak LED solutions. A must-have. (It really likes being loaded with a lithium AAA, but a normal AAA will work just fine in a pinch.)
Demeyere Apollo cookware.
Shun's santuko knife.
+1 for Powermatic table saws. I have the 64A with a Forrest WW II blade. Sweet! (Edited to add: But if I were to buy a table saw today, I would give VERY serious consideration to the SawStop saw. It just might save your fingers.)
The Weber Genesis Silver grill.
Post by: richyoung on May 02, 2006, 06:31:58 AM
Fender Heavy Metal Stratocasters, especially those with just a humbucker on the bridge & no other pickups, equipped with Kahler SPyder trems and autolatch - I have 3 - my main one has survived a car wreck - can't kill 'em.
Fender M-80 solid state amsp - can't kill 'em.
Gibson Les Paul Studio model - all the sound, none of the frills, 1/3 the $$$.
Peavy Rockmaster preamp and TubeFX preamp - still rockin'
Peavy 4 X 12 guitar cabinets - the regular ones, not the 5150. Super bang for the buck, indestructible.
Sam's choice colas and gourmet sanck crackers, esp chipolte cheddar and ssalsa sour cream.
late '80s early 90's S-10/Sonoma - tough little truck - my step daughter couldn't kill it...cost me a case of beer...
mid '80s full size GMC/Chevy pickup/suburban/blazer - tough, easy to work on.
any well-made 18' twin axle flatbed trailer, esp withramps and a dove tail.
my Dan Wesson 1911
Mossber 500 shotguns
Swedish Mausers
Harbor Freight dial calipurs
A GOOD set of allen wrenches
Craftsman cordless drill, sawzall, circular saw, stapler combo pack
Titanium coated, or even better, cobalt steel drill bits - with "drill doctor"