How do you cheer yourself up after mistake purchase?

[badatmath]

Long story short, I got a couple of recliners last month and well I can't stand them. Very firm, hurt my back. Can't return so need to start over. Put a deposit down on some others but they may not come for months.

But the gist of it is I wasted a fair amount of money on this so far and need a little cheering up. I keep telling myself I am allowed to make mistakes and that having a chair or even 2 that does not cause pain is not actually extravagant but nevertheless. . .

It is still stressful, especially when the new chair(s) are not here so IDK really if they will work. (I held 2 but could go for just 1 in the end). I certainly wish I had just got one of this one to try. . . But honestly I got overexcited at the idea of having matching furniture for once. And really these are not $$ its just well . . .

I figured you guys would totally understand this because we all look so hard for those turbo tax sales. . .

 

[njhowie]

Look to sell them, get back some of what you paid, buy new ones, and move on.

Beating yourself up about it won't change things, so no sense in doing that. Certainly this cannot be the biggest mistake financially in your entire life. Don't let it consume you.

 

[NW-Bound]

Look to sell them, get back some of what you paid, buy new ones, and move on.

Beating yourself up about it won't change things, so no sense in doing that. Certainly this cannot be the biggest mistake financially in your entire life. Don't let it consume you.

+1

I hate it when buying something that turns out to be a waste. But then, I have lost a lot more than that with bad financial decisions, so just have to cut myself some slack.

 

[latexman]

Maybe family members like them and can use them.

 

[FREE866]

Try to sell on Craigslist

 

[badatmath]

Yep I know you guys are right and heck I have lost way more in the stock market than these cost. Normally I keep even bad purchases for awhile and try to make them work so this cutting my loses early is kind of new thing I need to practice at. I always try to make due.

 

[street]

Man, I hate that when that happens!! I guess for me I just move on, but it hurts for a while.

I than tell myself I'm very lucky person to be able to buy another product because I can and so can everyone here. It still hurts because of our frugal life.

 

[levindb]

I am a fanatic about try before you buy on furniture and mattresses. In fact, we just purchased 2 recliners. Tried the product in the store and was pleased, so we ordered 2 in the fabric/leather that we wanted. When they arrived, they felt great and we were happy, until we reclined on one...and it would not open/close on carpet...the leg thing got caught.
Very long story short, called the store, they sent repairman out, and now they are going to replace not only the bad one, but the good one as well because they have a slightly different cushion material now. I am very impressed with the store, and will do business with them in the future.
(other than getting 2 recliners replaced, this has nothing to do with the OP's question/concern...but I thought I would share anyway)

 

[Freedom56]

Let you cat or dog sit on it.

 

[badatmath]

Yep, could happen. I need to get a new pet but I have not been ready since I lost the last one.

I know I will feel better when I get the new stuff too.

 

[rk911]

Look to sell them, get back some of what you paid, buy new ones, and move on.

Beating yourself up about it won't change things, so no sense in doing that. Certainly this cannot be the biggest mistake financially in your entire life. Don't let it consume you.

+2

 

[razztazz]

Long story short, I got a couple of recliners last month and well I can't stand them. Very firm, hurt my back. Can't return so need to start over. Put a deposit down on some others but they may not come for months.

But the gist of it is I wasted a fair amount of money on this so far and need a little cheering up. I keep telling myself I am allowed to make mistakes and that having a chair or even 2 that does not cause pain is not actually extravagant but nevertheless. . .

It is still stressful, especially when the new chair(s) are not here so IDK really if they will work. (I held 2 but could go for just 1 in the end). I certainly wish I had just got one of this one to try. . . But honestly I got overexcited at the idea of having matching furniture for once. And really these are not $$ its just well . . .I figured you guys would totally understand this because we all look so hard for those turbo tax sales. . .

I used to get all torqued up. Now, I just say. "Boy, I'm glad I got money!" Financially mistakes don't even register anymore and even "the principle of the thing" is meaningless. What "principle"? I see no principle involved. I buy so few things anyway.

Then, if it's something I really don't want to keep/can't use, I give it to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or the local shelter. Just get rid of that POS. Everybody's a winner.

 

[COcheesehead]

There’s an old decision making principle that says sunk costs don’t count.
Go buy some new ones and be happy.

 

[jazz4cash]

Why can’t you return them? It seems like the store might want a shot at selling you 2 more recliners if they offer some trade in value or take them on consignment.

 

[pacman1234]

This is one of the reasons that I prefer buying a lot my furniture second hand. I spend less and if it doesn't work out, I don't feel that attached to holding on it since the investment was minimal. The other reason is that I have young kids who will likely damage anything new anyway

 

[Koolau]

Lots of good advice so far.

Just remind yourself it won't matter in 50 years.

Find someone to give the old one(s) to who will be happy with ANYTHING because they have nothing. You'll feel so good that you'll forget your mistake.

 

[badatmath]

Why can’t you return them? It seems like the store might want a shot at selling you 2 more recliners if they offer some trade in value or take them on consignment.

They are not interested, they offered a 25% discount on a new chair but they have nothing of the right size and features in stock and won't discount something that has to be ordered.

Thanks for cheering me up everyone. Once I get the replacements I can donate these.

 

[Act2]

I feel your pain. When I do that, I donate the stuff.

 

[skipro33]

This isn't anything that can't be fixed. I also bought theater seats for DW and I and they were not just uncomfortable, but the lumbar adjustment was way too high. I contacted an upholsterer who came to the house and replaced the foam/padding with the right stuff as well as form fitted to our body shapes. It cost me $300 for each seat, but now it's like laying in a cloud. I would have otherwise walked away from over $2200. The extra $600 saved the day.

 

[badatmath]

This isn't anything that can't be fixed. I also bought theater seats for DW and I and they were not just uncomfortable, but the lumbar adjustment was way too high. I contacted an upholsterer who came to the house and replaced the foam/padding with the right stuff as well as form fitted to our body shapes. It cost me $300 for each seat, but now it's like laying in a cloud. I would have otherwise walked away from over $2200. The extra $600 saved the day.

Well now that is a clever idea!

 

[audreyh1]

I feel your pain. When I do that, I donate the stuff.

+1

 

[Time2]

This is one of the reasons that I prefer buying a lot my furniture second hand. I spend less and if it doesn't work out, I don't feel that attached to holding on it since the investment was minimal. The other reason is that I have young kids who will likely damage anything new anyway

I'm looking at a new chair for my computer, the last few I have had were standard 5 wheel swivel chairs with arms that someone threw out and my wife (the scraper) picked up. My son has a Secret Labs 'Omega' Chair, that I like, even though I can easily afford the $438 + shipping, Frugal me just can't seem to do it. I found one used for sale, pictures show it in very good condition so, I offered $200, because I want a deal and it is a bit of a drive. I hope I get it, because my son's Omega chair seems much easier on my back. I slouch in the chairs I have had, to the point where I made a seat belt, to keep me sitting up straight.

 

[Midpack]

I research purchases more thoroughly than anyone I know, to minimize mistakes, so I don’t often regret purchases. And I never buy on impulse for anything significant. But I get fooled from time to time like anyone. I learn from the mistake, but I don’t beat myself up about it. If I can sell it and recover some expense, or give it to a friend who might like it, I’ll do that. Sometimes I’ll throw it away so I don’t have it there reminding me I messed up.

When I do get fooled I hold a grudge forever - e.g. I got screwed on a 1997 Volvo so I’ll never buy another Volvo as long as I live (even though they’ve changed owners since then). I guess that’s how I get even with merchants who fool me - fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me…

 

[donheff]

I did the same thing in my weekend home years ago. In our case, the recliner chair and sofa just looked too big and dominated the room. I eventually gave them to a nephew who was starting out after college. He still has them years later.

 

[Lakedog]

Look to sell them, get back some of what you paid, buy new ones, and move on.

+1

I would either sell or donate. In my area, it's very easy to sell furniture on Craigslist. I have sold fairly new items for what I paid (or even slightly more). But donation is easier unless you want to invest the time/effort required to sell.