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When Does It Make Sense to Stock Up? Print
Tuesday, 12th May 2009 (by J.D.)This article is about Choices, Planning, Shopping
One of my wife’s favorite cosmetic products was recently discontinued. For years she’s used a certain facial cleanser from Avon, so when Avon stopped selling it, Kris was frustrated. She’s tried similar products from other companies, but prefers the one from Avon.
It occurred to Kris that maybe she could find the product online. She tracked down a seller on eBay and ordered a two-year supply for $50 (plus shipping). This is double what she had been paying, but she decided it was worth the cost.
For the next couple of years at least, Kris will be able to enjoy one of her favorite products. She’s stocked up.
This is just one example of a dilemma I’ve faced lately. When does it make sense to stock up on a product you like and use regularly? I’ve learned that when I find a wine I love, I should buy a case. This makes sense. But it doesn’t make sense to stock up on laptop computers when I find a great one. This would be an expensive habit, and the technology would quickly become obsolete.
But many items fall somewhere between a case of wine and a lifetime supply of computers. Lately I’ve wondered when it makes sense to stock up on products I’m passionate about. (And does it make a difference whether these products are consumable or non-consumable?)
Timberland Chocurua
I’m not usually the kind of guy who notices brands or model numbers. I wear my clothes and use my appliances without much thought. I can’t tell you which company manufactured my cordless drill or who made the shirt I’m wearing. They all seem to work fine, and that’s what matters.
Before our trip to London and Dublin, I bought a pair of hiking boots. I didn’t pay much attention to the brand; I just went into the local sporting goods store and bought the pair that felt right. As it turns out, I love these boots. They’re amazing. They’re functional and comfortable. If Kris would let me, I would wear them for every occasion. (”You are not wearing those tonight,” she once told me as we were leaving for a nice dinner with friends. I’d been wearing them for days on end, and she decided to put her foot down.)
The store that sold me these boots is going out of business. It occurred to me last weekend that maybe I should see if they still had these boots in stock. Maybe I could buy a pair for cheap. The store didn’t have these boots, but Amazon does. Now I face a dilemma. Should I order a pair or two to keep on hand for when these wear out?
iPod Shuffle
On a less utilitarian note, I was a little alarmed to learn that Apple has discontinued (well, “re-configured”) one of my favorite products. I’m a huge fan of the little clip-on iPod Shuffle. I use mine constantly.
Last week I had a chance to look at the new iPod Shuffle. I don’t like it. I don’t want to own one. My Shuffle is showing no signs of failure, but I began to wonder: What would I do when it does die? (Or, as is more likely the case, when I lose it?) I’m not willing to purchase a new model. I want the old one.
Then I thought: What if I stocked up? What if I found a source for the old iPod Shuffles and bought two or three or four just to keep on hand? Assuming I could afford this, is it a smart thing to do?
Does stocking up make sense?
My previous bad habits have made me wary. Whenever I want to spend, I question myself. That’s true in this case, as well. I cannot decide: Are these impulses foolish? They don’t feel foolish, but sometimes I’m not as smart as I should be about these decisions. Would buying these extra iPods or boots just be a sort of hoarding? Would I be bringing more clutter into the house? I don’t know. All I know is that I don’t feel guilty for considering these options — so long as I can afford them.
We already stock up on paper products like kleenex and toilet paper by buying in bulk. Kris has boxes of empty canning jars in the garage, donated by friends, for when she needs them. But we’re not devoted to a particular kind of jar or picky about a style of tissue. Is it different when I’m merely anticipating that something I like will be unattainable later? Am I merely postponing the inevitable? I don’t know the answers to these questions.
What about you? Have you ever stocked up on a product you like? Do you think that you might do so in the future? Why or why not?
May 12th, 2009 at 5:05 am
You won’t want to stock up on the shuffle. Apple knows their new shuffle is a flop and you’ll see a new one in another year or two. Electronics are always bad options for stock ups because technology improvements will almost always make the next model better. Sometimes companies get it wrong, like the new shuffle, but for the most part they get it right.
I stock up on deoderant when it’s cheap. Combined with a manufactorer’s coupon I usually get them for about have the price you might find in Wal-Mart for my preferred brand.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:17 am
I stocked up on my favorite eyeshadow when the woman at the Clinique cosmetic counter told me that the color I wanted was discontinued. When she found they still had three containers in stock, I bought all of them. Having your favorite lipstick or eyeshadow or moisturizer or body lotion discontinued isn’t the end of the world, but it sure is disappointing after finding something that really works for you.
Of couse, I’m talking about products that cost less than $20 each. I doubt I would snap up extra iPods or other expensive items. What I will do, however, is buy multiples the first time. Just two weeks ago I found very flattering pants and shorts at Talbots. I bought them both in two colors each. I’ve done the same thing with T-shirts or tops. Sometimes when I couldn’t decide between two pairs of shoes, I bought them both. As long as I’m going to wear them both in the same season I’m happy. I don’t wait to wear the second until after the first wears out.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:19 am
I agree…don’t stock up on the shuffle. Chances are that by the time you need another one they will have come out with something completely different than the current one.
I actually don’t generally pay that much attention to shoes but I LOVE my Keen Bali flip flops. I could go into a million reasons why I am willing to pay $50+ for this particular pair of flip flops but I won’t bore you with it (although I will say that I tried them originally because I got them 90% off). I discovered last fall that they were changing them in a way that I was completely unhappy about. I considered buying several pairs of the older version but decided against it for various reasons. I did ask for some for Christmas and my sister bought me a pair. I am still wearing the older pair daily but having the new pair in my closet makes me feel a lot better about the fact that the old ones are starting to look bad.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:20 am
If I find an item I love at a killer price I usually buy a few to stock up. This mainly applies to food, beauty products and household goods. For instance, regularly a favorite family brand of bread goes on sale for half-price at our local grocery store, so I always buy about two month’s worth. Sometimes if I can afford it I’ll buy a few of a shirt or pair of pants I really like, because it’s just so difficult for me to find clothes that I love wearing - but I have to make sure I’ll really wear it first.
I don’t suppose I would ever stock up on electronics because they depreciate so quickly and warranties are only valid for a year, typically. Plus, I could never afford it!
May 12th, 2009 at 5:22 am
J.D. Buy the boots if you can find them. I also buy a 2nd or 3rd pair of shoes if I find some I really like but only after I have worn the shoes for several months. It will nice to reach up and grab a new pair of your boots in 2 years when you need them
May 12th, 2009 at 5:23 am
I wouldn’t stock up on anything like the shuffle or hiking boots, as technological advances over the years may bring improvements that you want. For example, I loved my first pair of hiking boots, but when I went to replace them, advances had created a lighter weight material. My new boots are incredibly light, so they are more comfortable on long walks than my old boots were. Right now you don’t like the newest shuffle, but you may find yourself liking the next version more than the one you currently own.
I also would be cautious about products that degrade over time. Food products that are stocked up need to be rotated regularly so that you aren’t throwing out a case or two of expired goods, and other goods need to be able to be stored in the right conditions. Our only space for stocking large materials is our basement, and it tends to be musty, so we only store enough paper products for a month or two down the line.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:26 am
I stock up on all kinds of grocery type items, but only when I get them for free or at a great price. Anything that you are confident you could resell at the same price you paid (or more) is worth stocking up on. Anything else, I say don’t do it because something better might come along and/or you might find the discontinued product cheaper later, like at a discount store where discontinued products get sent.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:30 am
To me, stocking up is more for consumable items. So foods and personal care items, yes. Electronics, no.
I’m debating on the shoes myself though… I am an avid runner and in all the searching of shoe shops, I’ve only ever found one shoe that fits my foot perfectly and eliminates my shin splints. The company has brought in a new shoe that is similar but not quite right for me, and I am concerned that they may discontinue my shoe. Should I stock up? Maybe, but not too much. Shoes, believe it or not, also have a limited shelf life and their support begins to degrade after a year or two even if they’re not being used.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:39 am
I highly recommend that if you really love a shoe and find that your are wearing them on days on end, that you buy more than one pair and alternate wearing them. This can extend the life of both shoes, and not in the sense you have a longer time before you need to buy two more. Shoes tend to last longer and retain its shape when you give them time to dry out.
I am not 100% if this applies to daily wear shoes, but I practice this with running shoes and I find it does keep my shoes from getting squishy as quick.
This way if the product is discontinued without your knowledge you will have twice the life of shoe, plus a little bit more.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Contrarian view: I would buy an extra old-version iPod shuffle or two while they are still available. Yeah, you *might* like a newer version better, but you might not.
I did just this recently with my beloved Archos Jukebox 20 Recorder, technology which is at least five years old. Mine finally gave up the ghost. I was able to salvage the hard drive so I didn’t lose my music and transferred everything to a new Archos 605. I *hated* it. I don’t do video and I wanted back the ease and versatility of the Jukebox! So I found a guy selling his, almost unused, through craigslist and bought it for $50. I’m happy again. I’m out of step and behind the times and left behind by the techno wave, but eventually I will be retro and cool so I couldn’t care less.
I’m a confirmed stocker-upper. I do rotate my food stores and I don’t buy a huge lot of perishables at a time, but it makes me feel secure to know I could feed my family for a week or two without shopping if I had to.
Is it frugal? One example: I have a favorite soup that is regularly priced at $2.39 per can (one serving). When it goes on sale, about four times a year, I buy a case of it at $1.25 per can. This lasts me until the next sale, so I am saving 48% on each and every can.
Yeah, stocking up is frugal.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:47 am
This completely reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Elaine went and bought out a case of contraceptive ’sponges’ because they were discontinuing them. I guess the question you have to ask before deciding to stock up on something is whether or not it’s spongeworthy!
May 12th, 2009 at 5:48 am
if it’s something I know I’ll definitely use again with in a defined period, and it’s on sale I would stock up.
i found a nice pair of shoes on sale, so I bought two pairs. I knew I would need the extra pair when the first pair wore out, (and no matter how much I looked after them, they would wear out with use) I would then have the second pair.
However on the ipod. Electronics prices are always going down, so it makes no sense to buy a shuffle now when the same item would be cheaper in the future. Also, there is no guarantee that you will lose your original shuffle, and if it does break in 3 or 4 years, maybe there will be a better product on the line. Imagine if you’d stocked up on Walkmans (or should that be Walkmen) 10 years ago.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Interesting question… just as your asking/exploring, sometimes it does make sense to stock-up but it is largely a function of the product and it’s costs. For example, I don’t think I’d go into debt to stock up but if the cash/product availability window were open at the same time I might consider it. I’d be weary of stocking items that would likely become outdated. The shuffle is an interesting item relative to that development… you may not like this new generation but love the next one… hmm, perhaps I buy another cheap shuffle to keep in the car but I don’t truly stock up so to speak.
Very interesting topic and discussion.
Dave
May 12th, 2009 at 5:55 am
I think stocking up on family favorites (food) is really critical to frugal living. After awhile of ahaving kids, you learn what everyone is happy eating (whatever that is for your family). If you know that the food will be eaten in a given amount of time, it makes no sense to leave it on the shelf, when in 2-3 weeks time, you’ll want to buy it again.
I did this when my family lived overseas. I found a great Birkenstock website, and bought 6 pair of sale shoes, 2 pair for my girls, and 4 pair for me. I’ve worn Birks for years, and am not likely to drastically change my fashion, and they had my favorite styles on sale! This was in 2003, and I bought 1 pair in each color (black, brown, blue, and a fun pattern). They’ve lasted this long (I wear them based on my wardrobe of the day, rotating). My black and fun pattern’s sole started wearing out, and I took them to a local Birk shoe repair, and it’s like I have new shoes again. I spent money on these shoes, and I never have to think about buying new shoes for spring-fall. I guess if you know your style, go ahead and buy several of your favorites…you won’t regret it!
May 12th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Target recently clearanced out the diapers that we like. Since my son will be in diapers for a while, I bought all 13 boxes! Saved $41. I saw more last night marked down even more and was tempted to buy them but resisted.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Money Beagle: Hahah. I just click the comment link to say the same thing!
May 12th, 2009 at 5:59 am
I agree with Lesley on stocking up consumables. As fas ar Electronics are concerned, I am not a US citizen and, particularly whenever I go to my home country people just love the cool electronic gadgets and equipments.
So upto some extent it makes sense to stock-up electronics (and other “worth-a-gift” non-consummable) items for special occasions, events (birthday, anniversary, …), etc.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:01 am
As a rule I only ever stock up on daily products such as tissues, etc and only when they are on offer. The only time I can think of that I stocked up on an item which wasn’t what I would term a daily item is when I purchased a bulk lot of light bulbs, purely because that wattage was being discontinued.
For me I wouldn’t consider stocking up on either the boots or the shuffle for one reason. Although you may think they are the best now, when it comes to replacing them you are just as likely to find something which you like just as much even if it’s not from the same brand such as the ipod shuffle. These replacements may end up being cheaper than stocking up on goods now.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:02 am
I only stock up on food or household items. Basically anything that is consumed fast or breaks easily. I wouldn’t bother with electronics, because the price always goes down and the power always goes up. Shoes? Maybe. But I don’t really have the space to keep a supply of shoes, nor do I wear out shoes so fast that it makes sense to keep a stock on hand.
My solution to apple suckifying the iPod shuffle will be to buy a different brand of mp3 player when my shuffle breaks. Overall, I like Apple products, but there is so much competition out there in the mp3 player world that I don’t have to stick to just one brand.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:04 am
I know a lot of people who stock up on shoes they like! Especially if they are a good price. Cheaper shoes are usually lower quality so it makes sense that they would wear out faster and you’d want a backup pair.
If the shoes are expensive, I would personally not buy another pair because by the time they wear out you might be ready to try something new. Or the price may have gone down!
May 12th, 2009 at 6:10 am
I have the same debate when I find a certain item of clothing that I love (and that won’t go out of style rapidly) on sale - to stock up or not…
I think you’d be able to find the version of the shuffle that you prefer online, even after newer versions come out - like in the case of comment 10.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Great comments so far. I especially like the “sponge-worthy” Seinfeld reference. I’d forgotten about that episode, but it’s exactly the sort of thing I’m talking about.
I understand that future products may be as good (or better) than the ones I like now, but that’s not always the case. In the past, I’ve seen things I love discontinued and wished that I had stocked up. One of the reasons I mentioned laptop computers is that I thought the Apple 12″ Powerbook G4 was a brilliant little computer, and was very sad when my machine for work died. Apple had discontinued its 12″ computers by then.
There are other examples, too — I just can’t think of them right now.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:14 am
I don’t like the new Shuffle either. To me, it’s an innovative solution in search of a non-existent problem. I’d much prefer if they would push the iTouch into the widescreen HD video/full-featured internet tablet space, but that’s a different subject matter.
The older Shuffle is a design that competitors can and have easily copied. Personally, I’ve gotten out of the Apple ecosystem entirely, because I’m largely a Linux guy who can not use iTunes and don’t want the DRM restrictions anyway. I also believe I save more money in the long run that way too. For example, my Sansa clip costed me $30 at Walmart, and it includes voice recording as well as FM radio, at a similar (albeit uglier) form factor than the Shuffle.
And for the record, I’m not an Apple-hater. I do have an iTouch as well. I just buy what makes the most sense to me.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:17 am
I had the same dilemma for body wash for my girlfriend. I just bought out the only store that carried it. Now, a year later she still has plenty left and it still smells good.
When it comes to shoes or clothes, I tend to buy two of something I really like. I had my feet evaluated at a workshop once and they recommended a certain brand of shoe. Since then, I will buy a few pairs of this brand whenever I notice a big sale.
I will do this as well with food with no expiry. However, with the average food waste of 25%, I tend to avoid stockpiling any perishables.
In terms of electronics, I think your shuffle situation is unique. I had the same concern when my favorite pair of sunglasses was going to be discontinued. I bought an extra pair on eBay, and I am glad I did. Now they are so rare, they are almost double the price.
But when it comes to computers or electronics, never stockpile. Technology changes so fast, that in 6 months you are better off purchasing a new product. This is also why I believe extended warranties are a bad idea for electronics.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I would get the boots, but not the iPod. I would be leery of stocking up on something electronic, as hardware and software changes constantly.
I think it’s good to stock up if you find a good deal on something that won’t expire or go bad before you can use it, or something that you use the heck out of and will soon be discontinued.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:25 am
item amount
ipod = none
why: technology goes bad too fast, imagine someone stocking up on VCRs
comestics = 2 or 3 items at a time
why: After a couple of years its good to freshen up your look or if you’re like me you stop using in before its all gone
non perishables foods = stock up when on sale
why: you will eat it eventually, and if not you can give it away
clothes = buy 2 at one time
why: never fails that something spills and ruins your favorite pair of jeans or shirt, having an extra reduces the mental anguish. Also they wear out after about a year, which is just in time for the new styles to come out
shoes = usually best to just buy one type of shoe at a time
Why: you may find out that the shoes pinch your feet, are uncomfortable, or in the case of heavy boots, last forever
dishes = buy three sets at a time
why: they are bound to break and you need to make sure you have enough spares to replace the broken ones.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:26 am
I like to stock up on paper towels, toilet paper, deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoos when they’re on sale. First of all it saves me inopportune trips to the store just to grab a stick of deodorant. These things are relatively inexpensive but when you pay more over time, they can add up together. If there was a way to stock up on gas, I would have. Everytime I go home back to PA (I’m currently up near Niagra Falls, I try to make sure i fill up my tank, even if it means topping it off. Gas up here is $.30 more expensive/gallon mostly because of taxes go figure.
In my toothpaste example, I really like natural products without fillers etc, and so when I find these things for a relaly good deal I like to stock up. I save a percentage of every dollar into investing account so that I never see it again and never psychologically feel like i had it in the first place (this is what they do with taxes anyway). When I save $.50 here and there on everyday products that I use, it can really add up and help.
Every dollar is some 52 dollars in retirement if invested and reinvested for 40 years at 10% interest, tax deferred, so stocking up can pay off in both dollars and cents, but in convenience as well.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:32 am
I stock up on skin products because I have sensitive skin and need specific things so that I don’t break out. I stock up so that I can always have an extra in a carryon bag in case I have to stay over at a friend or something.
I also stock up on my favorite cereal because the stores in my area do not sell it.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:33 am
For my wife and I, the stock-up decision has a couple guidelines: if it doesn’t depreciate/degrade over time, stocking up can make sense (tissue paper, cleaning supplies, dress shoes, etc). If it does depreciate/degrade (laptops, ricotta cheese, bread), we stock up only so much as we’re likely to use for its lifetime (2 weeks worth of bread at most, for example).
Some items can change categories too (for example, clothes “expire” if you’re changing sizes due to growth, weight gain, or weight loss).
May 12th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Should I order a pair or two to keep on hand for when these wear out?
No, because those boots are hideous and you need to keep searching until you find a pair that both look amazing and feel amazing.
I would also pass on stocking up on the iPod, as, just like you said, technology changes and something better will come along.
I usually stock up on consumables like toiletries or cologne. I tend to do this when there is a sale like BOGO. In fact, my favourite cologne has been discontinued and I need to hunt around to stock up on that. If you truly like the shoes, only buy one more pair. Then be prepared to find different shoes when they wear out. Technology in shoes changes, too.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:44 am
talk about sponge worthy: my preferred brand of tampon was very hard to find at local stores, so a few years back I would order cases over the internet. For some reason I ordered 3 or 4 cases before I had run out. I think I noticed that they were becoming even harder to find.
Now a few years later they are not available anywhere anymore and I have a huge stockpile of my hygiene product of choice. I am far less likely to just toss them in a purse or hand them out to my friends since I have a limited supply.
I know that they may start to degrade at some point but so far so good.
Also I bought 2 identical pairs of sneakers yesterday, one for my gym locker and one for home wear, I figured if I liked them may as well have the same pair in both locations and by buying two I got BOGO.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:48 am
While your money is tied up in tangible goods it can’t be doing other things for you. The opportunity cost is one of the expenses of hoarding. The other expense is the possibility of spoilage or loss; I know someone who stocked up on his favorite razor-blade and then the razor handle broke and he couldn’t get another head to fit the blades. If you become a refugee for any number of reasonable reasons you can’t easily transport the goods with you and may have to abandon them.
These risks are essentially the cost you’re paying for insurance to make sure you’ll have that product in the future.
With that in mind, it’s probably a good idea to get the insurance if it’s something you’d be in serious trouble if you didn’t have. We have enough food on hand to manage three months without a grocery store trip for pandemic flu planning purposes, for example. We also have a spare pair of boots in case we become refugees.
But there is no reason to insure we’ll be as delighted in consumer goods in the future as we are with them now.
Stocking up is for critical life-support issues, in my opinion.
It also makes sense to stock up on items when you find them on sale and you’ll know you’ll use them. But, again, be careful. I’ve got incandescent lightbulbs my mother hoarded. (”They won’t spoil!” she said.)
A word about “hoarding”: it’s pretty perjorative when you are referring to people who start AFTER a crisis - but it’s really about emergency preparedness and quite ethical and provident if you do it BEFORE a crisis. After all, if I’ve got food in my larder I won’t be one of the people standing in line trying to share the meager emergency rations after an emergency. More for the ones that didn’t prepare. (And, obviously, I’d share with my selected friends, also removing THEM from the line of people that need to be taken care of.) Everyone is better off if people DO prepare for emergencies. So be careful when you refer to hoarders perjoratively, okay?
May 12th, 2009 at 7:11 am
How old is your iShuffle? If it’s older than 18 months then buy a new one of the style you like. Unless you have the skill to replace the battery yourself, then at two years you’re on borrowed time with battery life on shuffles. I have a first gen shuffle who’s second battery has far outlasted the original.
As for the boots, if they are showing signs of wear then sure buy a new pair. If they are still going strong wait. Depending on the cost of the original, it may also be beneficial to have them resoled when the soles wear out.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I stock up when:
1) My favorite items are on sale, AND
2) I’m sure I’ll use the quantity I buy in 1-2 years.
So, for shoes I’d buy one extra pair on sale if I wear them a lot (which you do); I wouldn’t buy an extra iPod b/c they ought to last 2+ years.
I pick “1-2 years” as a date cutoff because I’d be fine using 1-2 year old things EVEN IF a better, cheaper new thing comes up. I can cheerfully accept that for 1-2 years.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Definately stock up on hiking boots you love. I’m an avid hiker, and LOVE Montrail’s Sandia Peak boot for women. Unfortunately, they discontinued this boot. Several years ago, I looked on-line and purchased 3 pairs. I’m down to my last pair–they’ve been re-soled but the leather is still good. I’ll be really bummed when the leather finally gives out, because I’ll never be able to get another pair. And they fit me perfectly.
Last year, when Polaroid announced that they would no longer produce film, I stocked up on 669 film. I’m a fine-art photographer and use 669 film for image transfers. As soon as the announcement was made, I looked on-line and purchased as much film as I could afford. So much film, that my credit card company called to make sure the purchases were legit. I also needed to purchase a small refrigerator just to store it, because I didn’t have any room for food in my regular refrigerator. I probably have a 2-3 year supply.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:20 am
It makes sense to stock up on daily necessities like water, flour, coffee, toilet paper. Sometimes, it makes sense to stock up on items that you know will be discontinued and that you could possible re-sell in future online to people who are looking for the same discontinued item. For example, I stocked up on the last of a certain ceiling fan light fixture that takes regular socket light bulbs. However, due to fire hazard with bulbs greater than 60W, some bozo in DC decided to ban them for ceiling light fixtures and instead mandate use of the smaller socket candelabra type bulb, which is more expensive as well! I have more than I need for my house’s ceiling fans, so I can sell the rest later when I need the money.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:26 am
I stock up on things that I like, like clothing and shoes. If I find a pair of running shoes I love, I usually wait a few months and check on-line. I can usually find them at a discount since newer models are coming out. I usually buy a few pairs to last a year or two and I save big bucks in the long run since I’m not buying new $100 shoes every 6-8 months.
I agree with you on the Shuffle, I love my little clip on shuffle and I was so sad when I heard they were changing it. We already have 2 (one of each of us when we run) so I doubt I’ll be buying more, but I’ll admit I was tempted!
May 12th, 2009 at 7:27 am
I might suggest as a general rule is to stock up on “consumables” when it is a good deal.
Electronics could not be considered a consumable, but more a depreciable asset. (Is that a word?)
By consumables, I would say more like food items. When you can get that 6-pack of soda for 2 dollars, get all the limit will allow. When you find a good wine on sale, buy a case. When you find a can of beans for 0.20$, buy 10.. If you’re already buying a shirt for 50% off, then maybe buy as many as you’d expect to wear out until you need to buy them again..
Shoes I find I cannot leave one in the box while I wear out another. Usually I wear my shoes (being a guy) simultaneously, so even tho I wear the same shoes less often, thus lasting longer, it doesn’t mean I’ll wear one out and move on to the next.
With electronics, there will always be something better tomorrow.. Makes no sense to stock up.. And most likely you’ll still be able to find a refurb or an unsold device later in life. You can still get 386 processors!
May 12th, 2009 at 7:34 am
With 7 behinds to wipe, my mom bought a huge case of toilet paper and stored it in the basement. A great idea until a big rainstorm flooded the basement! Toilet paper is really absorbent.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:37 am
I’m a fan of the stock-up, but I’ve gotten burned in the past. The iPod shuffle would tempt me though, especially because you can find them refurbished on Apple’s website for $39. That just is not a steep price to know you have the product you love once yours dies (or gets lost).
May 12th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I don’t think it’s worth it, except for food/consumables that you know you will use up pretty quickly. Of course, I live in an apartment so we don’t have a lot of storage space… and I definitely try to keep from owning multiple pairs of shoes, gadgets, etc. because they’re a pain to move and store.
But try to keep in mind that the Internet has pretty much eliminated scarcity. Even if your old Shuffle does break somewhere along the line, and IF you can’t get Apple to repair or refurbish it, and IF Apple is not selling anything you like at that time, it’s a pretty safe bet there’ll still be dozens of them for sale on eBay.
And in the grand scheme of things, electronics are pretty much the worst thing to stock up on, since the technology is continually improving and coming down in price. If something costs $800 new, in a few months the next model will come out and you can get the same one for $600, or get the much better one for the same price. So you’d be sinking your money into basically the fastest-depreciating thing out there.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Stocking up makes sense but it depends upon the item. Electronics change so quickly that your backup item will most likely be sooo out dated by the time the first one breaks that it will be useless. Buying a second pair of favorite shoes, jeans, makeup, etc (especially if there is a great sale) is worth it. It’s an item you already use and love. You would buy another once the first one is worn out. So getting a second isn’t going to be a waste of money. It’s also a waste of money if you buy too much of an item. If the item can go bad before you’ve used them all up then you have too many. 1-2 years worth of your favorite cream would be good. 10 years worth means that most it of went bad before you get to use it.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:43 am
I definitely stock up on consumables when they can be had for a good price.
I’ve also stocked up on running shoes before - buying another pair when they went on sale. That way, whey my current ones died, I had a new pair already and didn’t have to shop around or pay full price.
I’ve also ’stocked up’ on clothing - buying a 2nd of an item when on sale. This is nice when I find something I like but has backfired when I didn’t like the item (and the return shipping cost makes it a bad idea to return).
May 12th, 2009 at 7:43 am
“I highly recommend that if you really love a shoe and find that your are wearing them on days on end, that you buy more than one pair and alternate wearing them. This can extend the life of both shoes, and not in the sense you have a longer time before you need to buy two more. Shoes tend to last longer and retain its shape when you give them time to dry out.”
I’ve heard this multiple times, and can attest to it at least in terms of running shoes. My husband also follows this practice for his work boots, and swears by it. So I would say, yes, buy another pair of the boots!
May 12th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I hate to say this…but Kris should use those facial products up asap. I tried stocking up on both Neutrogena and Mary Kay moisturizers, but after a year, both had a funny off-smell. They still worked ok, though. Something in that mix must have degraded over time.
I’d say buy at least one extra pair of the hiking boots, though! We also stock up on underwear (if it’s on sale - rare)and stuff like barbecue sauce…Sweet Baby Ray’s is my weakness, and only comes on sale once in a blue moon. I’ve also had success with perfume via Ebay — logic says it should change in chemical makeup, but my purchases of “To A Wild Rose” (Avon, and one of their most wonderful) have been just fine.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:46 am
I love your posts!
I wouldn’t stock up on the Shuffle either. The old versions are always around and MUCH cheaper if you buy later on ebay or something.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:52 am
I probably wouldn’t buy more than a year or two in advance. Most things will start degrading after longer than that (food, shoes, ad makeup). In the case of electronics, they won’t degrade, but will become obsolete. If Apple doesn’t fix the shuffle, I’m sure one of their competitors will come out with a clone of the last decent one that will work just fine, have more storage, be slightly smaller, etc.
When I moved to Seattle from the East Coast, I couldn’t find a place that stocked my favorite condiment. So next time I was home for the holidays I bought a year’s supply and flew it back west with me. But even then, I only got a one year supply; if I got any more it would have started to go bad before I could use it.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:01 am
You’re lucky that you’ve had your clip on iPod for so long. I’ve gone through two in the past couple years. They keep crapping out on me. The first one I was able to replace for free because I had it for under a year. The replacement one was under warranty for 90 days and I think it stopped working about 95 day after I received it. If you stock up on them - you may get lemons. Electronics are flukey. You are better off researching some non-Apple products. Yes - there is a life outside of Macs.
As for cosmetics - you have to be careful with those as well. Some of that stuff can go bad. Oils become rancid, creams will thicken up and start smelling weird. No reason to not buy a couple extras if the price is good - but remember about the accumulation of stuff:-)
My BF decided to corner the market on those little propane tanks. They are hard to come by and expensive after a hurricane and it IS a good idea to stock up. On the other hand, I’m tripping over them. As always - balance is a good thing:-)
May 12th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I occasionally stock up on items that I like- eg two pairs of jeans that fit; or comfy shoes in brown and black.
However if you are stocking up on something that is being discontinued be aware that you are just delaying the inevitable.
At some point you will have to go looking for your new “perfect” boots and Kris will have to spend time (and money) testing cleansers; until she finds a suitable replacement.
If I were you I would take this time to try new styles of boots that weren’t about when you bought yours and see if your new perfect boot isn’t already available; before you spend the money on an identical pair.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:08 am
As mentioned above. My wife often stocks up on our running shoes when they get marked down. After a few hundred miles or so it is nice to put on pair that you know that you like and few comfortable in.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Wow, great topic! I live alone so I don’t stock up on food products. Also I love to cook fresh ingredients and stay away from processed food so that doesn’t suit my lifestyle. If I had a family though I would probably do it to save money when I could.
I don’t have the space to buy bulk consumables like toilet paper to save money, but I see the value in it.
All that said, I am guilty of finding products online and buying as much as I can when I know its being discontinued. Like hair product that I know works for me (my hair is crap, only a few things can tame it!). I agree with others that every once in a while you should update your looks.
I love my clip on shuffle too! I think it will be available on Ebay and Amazon for long enough you won’t need to worry about replacing it. Plus the things are pretty indestructable!
May 12th, 2009 at 8:17 am
The only things i have ever stocked up on were items I would need to survive in an emergency (batteries, some candles, etc).
Besides that, with the turnaround in products on the markets, I dont feel its necessary to hoard items for future use. Something like the iPod seems a little drastic to stock up on. If the unit works, great, if the latest one seems like a big flop, then your probably not alone and a newer unit will quickly replace it.
Everything has a half-life. Some things (like food) will degrade faster while others (shoes, clothes, makeup) might take longer to ‘expire’ but also fashion wise might not be current.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Buy the hiking boots but not the iPod.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:24 am
When the clip-on iPod shuffle first came out at $80, I saw one die on my father-in-law in a matter of 4 months. At the time, the warranty was 90 days, and to have it fixed out of warranty was $60, so it made sense to just buy another one since it was a product that he enjoyed using. (I’m not going into a long-winded discussion on whether its ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ to spend money on replacing a ‘want’ when something breaks.) My clip-on ipod shuffle was gifted to me a few months later, and it still works fine. Its worth noting too, that his shuffle did not ‘brick’…it simply refused to reconnect to any computer…it still played, would occasionally charge, but it would not sync up. I troubleshooted every possiblilty (since I am a bit of a techie), and it refused to connect…I’m still disappointed that it didn’t completely die but rather a few functions died and could not be hacked to be brought back.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I’d never stock up on technology. It changes faster than any of us can imagine or predict. If you don’t like the current Shuffle model, they might make two more different models before you actually need a new one. And the beauty of preferring older technology is that you can always buy it later VERY CHEAPLY on eBay or other websites.
I’ve stocked up on shoes, but only one extra pair. Shoes last me long enough that I can’t predict beyond a second pair whether I’ll still want or need that model. And again, it’s often possible to buy old brands later. For example, I currently use a model of Asics running shoes that are 2 models behind the current model. I want another pair, and I can still find them for sale online - but deeply discounted. Score!
May 12th, 2009 at 8:34 am
For personal items I have been burned a number of times becoming very loyal to a particular shampoo, concealor, or face lotion and then it be discontinued. In retrospect I regretted not stocking up; only when I got around to getting another one did I found out that it was discontinued or the formula changed, so now I try to buy 1 extra. However as I go through them slowly and have a shelf life I’m not willing to do more than that.
I got a pair of shoes at Walmart that turned out to be a favorite of mine. I liked them so much I went back a couple months later to get a second pair but they were out of stock and not restocked the following year. It makes me realize how much churn and transitoriness there is in the production of consumer items.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:44 am
About two years ago, I found a plain t-shirt at the Gap that was the best-fitting, most comfortable t-shirt I’d ever worn. I first bought a couple in black, a brown one, and a few other colors. I was wearing them every day, so I finally decided to stock up, especially once they went on sale for 3 for $15 (they had been $22.50 each originally). I bought 15 more of them in black, and I’ve been steadily wearing them ever since. My mom thought it was insane that I’d bought so many, but I’ve continued to wear them (and wear through them) for two years now, and Gap unconscionably discontinued them a few months after I stocked up. I only wish I had bought another 15!
May 12th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I did a post on my blog today about stock piling, I was inspired by your thoughts on stock piling.Check it out!
May 12th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I stocked up on CD/DVD cases from the dollar store.
There was this one brand that was made of the soft, flexible packing like a DVD case, but was small and thin like a CD case. This meant they took up less space to mail to clients (as a photographer I send digital negs) but they didn’t crack and shatter when dropped or mailed. Great product.
They started to disappear at most dollar stores, but I walked into one that had just opened, and they had a supply of them. They came in packs of 8 for a dollar, and I bought 10 dollars worth, that was about 2 years back, and I just ran out this spring.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I recommend you stock up on the boots. I found a favorite pair of boots and made the mistake of not laying in a future supply. When I went to buy another pair 2 years later, they were discontinued. That was three years ago, and since then, I have purchased 3 pairs of other boots, trying to find a suitable replacement - and none of them measure up to the original pair. Stocking up would have saved me wasted money and time.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I have inadvertantly stocked up on a lot of things in the cleaning/paper department. I kept to the monthly buying list I had for our family of five now that we are back to the two of us. Suddenly the storage room is full! I think I may continue with the list, especially as prices seem to be going up, and have enough laundry detergent and such for a year or two by the end of this year. (Storage space is not a problem.) Then that part of the budget can be put to stocking up on something else!
May 12th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I’ve gotten a lot better about extra stuff I don’t need. But one thing I still stock up on: shoes.
And the main reason is that my feet have gotten pickier as I’ve gotten older. When I find a style that I like and is COMFORTABLE for extended wearing, I tend to stock up. I don’t care about name brands - I wouldn’t care if they had a K-mart logo on them. They just need to be comfortable and look OK.
So I have several pair Skechers Journeyman and Keen Newport sandals put away (all picked up at significant sale prices), as well as some Skechers slip-on casual shoes.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Buy the boots.
My husband was devastated when Danner discontinued his favorite boots. They put a new style out under the same name, but he says they don’t fit the same. The perfectly fitting shoe is a rare enough occurence to warrant stockpiling, IMO.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I use a very simple rule of thumb when it comes to stocking up: “Stock up on only consumable products and only get at most a year’s supply.”
When I say consumable I refer to things like toilet paper, makeup, or Crystal Light water packets. Stuff that I know I will pretty much constantly use and that I will need short of a meteor taking me out. I typically will only stock up a month or two at most because I am a bit of an unclutterer so I don’t like to store tons of stuff.
Now, on the flip side, there is a difference between stocking up and grabbing a spare. If you really love something like a pair of boots or a shirt, grab a spare. You don’t need more than one, but if you absolutely adore something and are very certain that you won’t be able to find it in the future, then go for it. But don’t go stocking up a decade’s worth of boots, there are other fish in the pond and you may find something you love even more!
May 12th, 2009 at 9:21 am
My wife runs into the problem of obsolescence when shopping for beauty products. Several of the items she uses have either been discontinued or have the “new and improved” label, which usually means a change for the worse. When she finds a product that she likes, she’ll stock up in anticipation that it’ll be discontinued.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:25 am
First check out this video (you may not want to buy anything after you see what we are all doing with our consumer mindset):
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
You can probably find the iPod in the future on ebay. And at that time there will undoubtedly be something newer and cooler you like more.
But if you are addicted to the boots I would buy them while that model is around. Although keep in mind even if you keep them in the box the sole components will break down and not perform well for the health of your feet in time. The reason why runners need new shoes every few months isn’t just wear and tear, the shoes get harder just sitting around aging.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:35 am
When I was a child I remember visiting my great-uncle who stocked up on EVERYTHING. Anytime anything went on sale, he would go and buy as much as he could on special, even going to multiple stores (this was in the days before you needed a special card!) Visiting his basement was like going to the store, with multiple freezers, refrigerators and shelves. I now realize he was actually a hoarder.
I usually buy multiples of favorite consumables when they go on sale, and also if I find a piece of clothing that works well, I will buy it in multiple colors.
@Kristen (#44) thank you for the remark on shoes! I will really keep that in mind.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Shoes last longer if you allow them a day off. I would have no more than two pairs of the same shoe, fit can vary with color. As you age your feet change what feels good now may not fit in a couple of years. I injured my foot after buying a few pairs of my favorite flats. Once my foot healed I was not able to wear my new shoes. O course my weight gain did not help. I am now attempting to sell my shoes on Ebay. I never purchase anything to stylish and I invest in quality shoes and replace soles or heals as needed.
Electronics change so rapidly I would not stock up.
Now foods I do stock up on there is one syrup my husband loves Lyle’s which our local store does not carry. In fact I know of only on store that does, a specialty grocery store. Once a year I go there, I also plan on spending the day at the mall it is in, and purchase a years supply (three bottles). I very seldom purchase anything more than a cup of coffee for my day, but I see what is in style so I can rework my closet contents to see if I can come close.
My year is judged by the level of syrup in the last bottle. Since I only use it on homemade waffles the year is some times closer to two years.
Staples I purchase at the club store, pasta, tomatoes, green beans, baked beans, chicken stock, tuna, juices etc.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
My rule is I stock up on things..
1) I will always need.
2) and re available at a good price. Costco is my stock-up place.
#Forever stamps. Lots of them. And one cent stamps as well.
#My favorite cologne.
#Paper products like toilet paper.
#Dishwashing liquid and sponges.
#Cans of corn, green beans and peas.
#Underwear and socks once I find the ones I like.
I don’t stock up on soap or shampoo because I like to try new ones. I also don’t stock up on refrigerated stuff because it invariably stays too long in the freezer.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:50 am
When my much loved hiking boots finally bit the dust I looked forward to buying a new, updated pair. In the end I litterally bought the newer model of my old boots but they’d had many upgrades in the 8 years I’d had my old ones - Vibram soles, slicker and more modern lines, etc. Hiking boots last a LONG time, I wouldn’t want to lock myself in for that long.
As for the iPod, I’d grab one extra because honestly, who doesn’t lose those things? But I wouldn’t stock up too much because you know that in one or two years they’ll have the next iteration of the shuffel on the market and it’s more than likely to be pretty cool. Then you’ll probably end up wishing you had the new model (which will likely be as cheap or cheaper than the current one).
But that’s just me. A hoarder I am not. You could say I don’t like to tie my capital up in inventory. I guess it’s a matter of knowing yourslef and knowing if you really want to stick with one item for so long.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I’ll forward you a friends and family coupon for Timberland the next time I get one. Normally 60% off at the TBL retail stores and online.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Yes,
I stocked up on Derby Extra Double Edged Razor blades. In fact I think I have enough to go easily 20 years. I did this more as a investment and not because I thought they would go out of business. So now I should be set for shaving for a long time.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Hey J.D. I love your blog I’ve been reading it for 2+ years. It surprised me that you would even ask this question on your post. I know you are better than that. I agree with everyone when they say “don’t stock up on the Ipod shuffle” because:
1.you ARE postponing the inevitable
2.new technology is constantly coming out
3.this is a want, doesn’t sound like a need
4.you’ll have more junk in your home
5.will it really save you money if you bought them now vs. when yours breaks?
May 12th, 2009 at 10:15 am
My local Stop & Shop ran coupons in the community fishwrap during the winter advertising $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. I brought the coupon and a calculator and stocked up: paper goods, oatmeal, the canned ingredients I use for chili (which I make quite frequently and freeze, so I go through these products like the wind), sponges, dish and laundry liquid and powder, and Grape Nuts — for which I also got a $5-off coupon for a future purchase due to a concurrent promotion. Did this three times, b/c the paper kept running the coupon week to week. And on all my purchases, I used a rewards card to get a little something-something back.
They stopped running the promo in the early spring, then resumed, but as $5 off a $40 purchase. Either they got swamped (I think places usually have a target compliance rate on offers like this) or they’re desperate to stay in business and not enough folks came in during the depths of the winter onslaught of recession news and layoffs. Either way, I’ll be going back to S&S once again.
For stuff you’re definitely going to use, that won’t go bad or can be frozen, and you won’t get sick of, by all means take any vendor who has an offer like this up on it. Admittedly, I did take the calculator along to force myself to stop buying when I’d qualified for the -$10. (I’m assuming they also count on folks blowing past the minimum and justifying the extra $10 of purchasing power as “free money.” To hell with that, I spent as little as I needed to and split!)
May 12th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Buy the boots! And then alternate wearing the old and the new.
I don’t stockpile consumables generally, but bought two packages of Retin-A on a trip to Mexico. It’s only available by prescription in the U.S. but you can get it in a regular pharmacy there … and yes, it’s perfectly safe and exactly the same formulation sold here. I paid about sixteen dollars for two tubes which would have been forty-plus each here, in addition to the doctor visit. Properly stored, it lasts for years … and has saved me probably hundreds of dollars in dermatological treatments that are not covered by insurance.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:47 am
the bottom line is, you won’t know till you get there. i had a pair of running shoes ten years ago that are still the best running shoes i ever owned. it would never have occurred to me to buy more than one pair because I didn’t know how much I would love them. Plus, maybe I would not want the second pair when the time came and wish I could try some other shoes. Or maybe not.
My mom raised my sister and I to love diet coke but not to buy it unless it was 2 12-packs for $5. All through college when we lived together my sister and I would buy a bunch at that price and not buy it when it was more expensive. I haven’t seen it that cheap in years but recently it was $2.75 for a 12 pack at Target. I bought five and am still going through them- that is enough for a while! I also texted my sister and mom to tell them to stock up! The consumable nature of the product makes sense.
Going back to the not knowing though- in the past I have stocked up on tampons (sorry if this is tmi) but in the last year I discovered the divacup (divacup.com), a reusable menstrual cup. Now I am glad I didn’t have to wait to go through a year’s supply of feminine products before purchasing a far superior (and more cost effective) solution.
I definitely say don’t stock up on the shuffle- I was about to offer to give you mine because I don’t use it often- I feel that as people upgrade and stores continue to have some stock there will be plenty on craigslist or ebay for cheap.
bottom line (like so many things) it’s a good idea if you KNOW you will use and enjoy using it, if it adds to your quality of life by assuring you of having something that brings you joy, but if we tried to stock up for every eventuality we would end up overstocked with dinty moore stew awaiting the apocalypse. (my dad does this every hurricane season- when power is lost in the neighborhood he can run half the block off of his supplies, but if no storms come we just have a lot of MREs and tuna. But it lets him rest easy.)
p.s. love the blog, I’m a long time reader and just decided to comment.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Shoes (which will definitely wear out): yes, buy. I have done this and was SO happy…I wish I could find more of that style, but it’s sadly gone, gone gone. Keeping the old shoes - now THAT’S hoarding.
The iPod thing sounds a bit hoard-y to me. Just be responsible with your old one. And back up your music!
May 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I wouldn’t stock up on anything that’s technology related. All of those things will be improved upon and replaced in the marketplace in the future, and technologies will continue to get cheaper as they’re made more efficiently.
Stocking up on wines that you like, on the other hand, strikes me as an excellent idea. You can never have too much of something you love that won’t always be available.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:57 am
the boots make sense. non perishable and won’t go obsolete. the ipod shuffle does not. by the time you need a new one there will probably be yet another version out.
May 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Maybe it’s late and I haven’t had lunch yet so I’m feeling delusional but I’m actually laughing so hard, I’m in tears about Victor’s candid comment “No, those boots are hideous”. Which, by the way, they’re not really I just found it funny.
I stockpile clothes; not mass quantities, but if I really like a nice top, I’ll buy it in 2 or 3 different colors. I actually find clothes shopping to be a pain and don’t prefer to do it often, so this saves me time in the future
May 12th, 2009 at 11:13 am
You inspired me to write my own post about stocking up!
Buy those extra hiking boots, since they seem to make you happy and will be worth it, but skip the spare iPod. Everyone’s already touched on that one, but it’s true. Electronics will come and go. Besides, can’t you still send them back to Apple for refurbishing if it dies and you don’t like the new model (or did they discontinue that service)?
May 12th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I look at the total cost of ownership combined with the cost out of my pocket at that very moment. For example, 3 years ago I had a coupon for $1 off trash bags if I bought 2 boxes. Being a new home owner, I didn’t think much of it and purchased two boxes of 45 bags per box, saved my dollar and stuck them under the counter. Being a single guy I don’t generate a lot of trash, so nearly 3 years later I finally ran out and had to buy more. Now we are talking about $4 boxes of trash bags, $8 - $1 coupon = $3.50 / box average, could I have used that $3.50 more efficiently over the period of 18 months, maybe.
In a similar situation, I bought a 10 pound bag of batsmati rice, at the time it was about $11. It lasted me a solid 8 months, but I was shocked to see the price nearly doubled when I went to buy another bag. In this case, stocking up on a nearly non-perishable food item would have made a wise investment.
I started to run back in Feb and bought a pair of sneakers fitted to me by a specialized running store and only use them for running or when I’m at the gym. I’ve read that most running shoes should be replaced between 300-400 miles because the cushioning really starts to fall apart and you can end up hurting yourself. Shoe companies seem to produce an updated version of existing running sneakers every 5-8 months; I’ve read that some runners will buy a half dozen or more of the same sneaker once they find one they love in fear that the newer model won’t fit / feel as good.
Checking my stats on http://www.dailymile.com I’ve run 118 miles so far this year, so I’m about 2/3rds the way through the life of my shoes and the model I’m in has already been replaced by a newer version. My “older” version are now discounted at several online retailers. At my current rate of running, I won’t need new shoes for another 4-5 months, but should I stock up because they are on sale now?
May 12th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I almost never stock up on anything. I’d have to care passionately about a very specific item to do that.
Electronics? By the time my current one breaks, a much better one will probably be available for less than I paid for the old one. Who knows if an old iPod will even be compatible with new computers in 5 or 10 years, maybe USB will have been replaced by something else, and you won’t be able to get a cable for the old iPod or something. I can’t think of a single time I would have traded my current laptop computer for my previous one, no matter how much I’d liked the previous one at the time. The new ones are always better.
Shoes? They’re shoes. I don’t care that much, really. I’ve been wearing different shoes for my whole life and they’ve always been fine.
The only things I can think of where I’d care enough to stock up are on things like consumable items that are required to use products I own. An example might be Polaroid film which I think is discontinued now. But if I actually had a Polaroid camera, I’d probably upgrade to a digital one instead of stocking up on film.
I don’t tend to get particularly attached to objects unless I’ve put a ton of sweat-equity into them, and in that case, I couldn’t stock up on them anyway, since I must have built or restored them myself.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Definitely. My husband likes a certain brand of jeans (Levi’s 501 shrink to fit) and he can’t find them in the east coast. He buys several pairs when he visits out west. He usually “wears out” (to shreds) a pair or two a year, so 4 pair last 2-4 years, depending on how much dirty work he does.
I’m with most of the readers here. Get the boots, forgo the Ipod. (But I’m not an Ipod fan-I’ve got a Creative Zen.)
But in truth, they are so cheap on Amazon, that you could buy one more if you love it–after all, your money is for your use and because you are proving yourself responsible with your money, you could buy the Ipod as a double. You could always give it to a kid or poorer person if you find you don’t want it because something better comes out. Sometimes it is worth getting something in order to get your mind off “what if”. Saves emotional energy. That is “worth something.”
May 12th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I think people who advise against not to stocking up on the iPod Shuffle because “something better will come along” are missing a point JD already brought up (but bears repeating):
Yes, something better *may* come along. Or not. In this specific case JD likes the design of the clip-on iPod Shuffle. It works for him (and having one myself I wholeheartedly concur). Apple has now apparently discontinued this design. The next redesign of the iPod (who knows when that will be) may be superior to both the old and the new Shuffle. Or it may not. Just because something has been redesigned or “upgraded” doesn’t automatically make it better than older models.
JD’s current Shuffle suits his needs just fine.
So I say - hell yes buy an extra one if you can find one at a reasonable price.
If a truly better product does come down the pipe and you simply have to upgrade keep in mind that even in this economy (or perhaps especially in this economy) there’s a lively second-hand market for working electronics. Particularly for designer items like iPods.
Regarding the hiking boots: definitely stock up. A few years ago I found a pair of Ecco hiking boots that were perfect for everyday wear and some light hiking and very reasonably priced. I bought one pair and then they discontinued the line. I’ve spent more time than I care to admit trying to find boots that were as comfortable, presentable and rugged as those Ecco ones. I wish I had bought at least one extra pair.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I use a face cream that retails at $48 for two ounces. I found an online retailer that sells “professional size” jar of the same product for $80 for 8 ounces — roughly $10 an ounce versus $24/ounce (for the regular-sized jar). The savings of 58% is worth stockpiling.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:52 am
What not to stock up on: treats.
I find that with some foods, if I buy it in small amounts, we are careful to make it last. If I buy large amounts, we gorge.
This makes it both not frugal and also not healthy.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
you know what was spongeworthy to me? Carnation Instant Breakfast in the Strawberry Flavor ONLY. Oh man, if I could get my hands on that–it’s my favorite justifiable junk food! I have to buy it in a multi-pack, and it’s totally lame.
I have stocked up on stuff when I was leaving the field of spa management, when I used to get wonderful skin and body care products at cost. Sigh. But I stocked up a bunch and put them on my credit card because I used to be an idiot. So no, it wasn’t worth it to me after the interest rate I paid on my CC balance.
I do stock up on things from time to time, because they are on sale and non-perishable, and I am paying cash. I cannot remember when the last time I stocked up on something because it was going to be a collectors item or it was being discontinued and I needed it. Oddly enough, JD, my boyfriend and I just discovered a couple grand worth of comic books–things my boyfriend always wants to spend on! I guess the self-control not to stock up on the collectors items paid off, he just uncovered his childhood collection!
May 12th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
If you love the boots, buy an extra pair or two. My husband runs, and when he tried out some Asics Cumulus 7s, they were structured in such a way to totally cure his nagging hip pain. Then the company rolled out the Cumulus 8. Husband tried a pair, and the hip pain was back. He scrounged around online and at local running stores, and managed to get seven more pairs of the 7s, which carried him pain-free through not only the time when the company was making 8s, but also the 9 model run as well, and, even though he didn’t get as many miles on the last couple of pairs of shoes before he ran out, his stash got him through until the 10 models came out, and those had been changed until they resembled the 7s again, and he could use them as well to run pain free.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I used to swim about 300 days out of the year. As a result, I went through numerous Speedos. Even if you rinse the chlorine out after every swim, the disintegrate. At the summer sidewalk sale, the local sporting goods store would always have a clearance on the last years patterns at 1/2 price. I would buy every suit that they had in my size. Now when I buy a new Speedo, swim cap, or goggles, I always buy two.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
A lot of the discussion regarding shoes is centering around regular types of shoes, which have a relatively short life if worn regularly. Decent hiking boots will last a casual hiker for years, and often are very simple to resole or repair. I only had to replace my last pair after 9 years of use because my feet expanded during pregnancy and they no longer fit. I’ve now had my current pair for 8 years, and they still look brand new, despite being used fairly regularly. I fully expect to get at least another 5-10 years of use out of them. My husband is much harder on his boots than I am, and even so, he will get at least 9 years out of his current pair before needing to repair them.
If you are buying cheaper hiking boots, and replacing them every 1-2 years, then your money will be better spent buying a good pair that will last you a LOT longer. (Of course, make sure to go to a store where they are experienced in fitting hiking boots.) As for storing an extra pair of “preferred” boots, with the idea of using them in 8-10 years or so when you wear out the other pair, I’d point out that any new boot is going to feel stiff and strange when you are used to a broken-in boot. In addition, your feet may have subtly changed shape over the years. The boot you loved a decade before may no longer be satisfactory at all when you put on the unworn pair.
Oh, and to repeat myself, don’t discount the importance of technological advances in hiking boots. In the past decade, boots have gotten lighter, cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, quicker to dry out, and better at keeping water from getting down to your feet. It was a completely different marketplace when I was shopping in 2001 than it was in 1992, and believe it or not, the prices had actually dropped. I paid $159 in 1992, and I paid $129 in 2001, yet the 2001 boots were miles ahead of the 1992 ones.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Once I found a pair of very comfortable running shoes for clearance, so I decided to go ahead and buy 3 pairs. I hate shopping for things, especially shoes, so I thought it was a smart thing to do. However, as someone else pointed out, by the time the first pair wore and I pulled the 2nd and 3rd pairs out of the closet, they weren’t nearly as comfortable. Much less cushion. That’s when I learned about shoes having somewhat of a limited shelf life. Not sure if this applies as much to hikings shoes though.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I buy as much natural and handmade products as I can, and when I come across a product I know I will buy more of, I will contact the maker and see if they’d be willing to sell me a case (or equivalent) at wholesale prices. I don’t think I’ve ever been told no! I do this with the soap my husband uses as well as with certain greeting cards and non-perishable food items. With the soap, I save nearly 50% of the price, and since the soap is not packed in individual wrappers, I am saving the environment from more trash.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I just stocked up this morning at Safeway. The bread I prefer is usually $4.75 a loaf. Sometimes sales will drive the price down to $3.50 or so and I’ll buy an extra loaf. However, today the price was at 2 for $5. Considering I use this bread daily and go through a loaf or more a week, it makes sense to stock up when it’s nearly 50% off. So I bought several extra loaves to put in the freezer and will probably go back again.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
BTW, the reason for NOT stocking up on iPod Shuffles has nothing to do with anticipating a better product eventually replacing the new unsatisfactory one.
A Shuffle will most likely last two years or so (my iPod Nano has held up for three and is still going strong). If you stock up on several, you’re prepping for 6-8 years or more of iPod usage. That’s great, except it’s unlikely the 2015 or 2017 version of iTunes will be compatible with your 2009 iPod.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
@ 64 - I think your distinction between “stocking up” and “buying a spare” is illuminating.
When I stock up, that usually means that I’m buying in bulk for savings - paper goods, cases of wine, BOGO items. That’s different than when I buy extras of the things I most covet, to ward off the sadness or inconvenience of not having them down the line. I don’t think having spares, within reason, is a bad thing - but having them doesn’t serve the same purpose as stocking up.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
My wife (and I) visit her native country once a year. So all year round she stocks up on things they want… American cosmetics, American chocolate, American vitamins and supplements, minor-size gifts, etc. Of course she is always on the lookout for sales which is the only time she buys the stuff.
The closets in the house are to the brim on these items.
So when we travel there, suitcases are mostly things to give away. Clothes are an after-thought!
May 12th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
You need to do some serious soul searching before stocking up on anything. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten really excited over a product only to find the extras I bought aren’t as valuable as I thought they were because:
*I lost them - If you bought a second shuffle would you be able to keep track of it for the next year?
*My taste changed - The first five boxes of X were great, but I’m not so wild about it anymore and I’ve still got 5 boxes to go through.
*My fit changed - I have bought a 2nd pair of the same jeans only to find that I’m a little heavier and they don’t fit as nice as the ones I bought six months ago that stretched in the right places.
*THEIR fit changed - Some things are subtle and not always part of a design change, for example, with yarn projects they say to make sure all of the yarn for a project should be from the same dye lot because you get subtle variations. The same can be true for your boots. If they changed the machine that cuts the soles, the material supplier, or just the guy who sews the body to the sole, it could feel like a completely different boot, so be careful.
*It spoiled - Food obviously, but a lot of personal care products age poorly. Light and humidity (or lack thereof in my case) can ruin things too.
*I found something better - This is especially true with the iPod. Technology matures. Just like you aren’t crazy about the model that followed your fav, there will be another model to follow that might be even worse, or better than the first!
Ultimately I don’t hoard something unless I have been looking for something like it for a while. This indicates that if I like it I will continue to like it, and I am not likely to find a replacement easily when it wears out.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Lots of interesting responses here. I’ve previously stocked up on headphones (never more than 2 in reserve) because portable phones break often (too often).
However, I recently decided against buying backups of my full-sized headphones after a long decision process.
It wasn’t because I didn’t like them (they’re amazing); it wasn’t because I was afraid of them becoming obsolete (headphones aren’t like laptops)–it was simply because my desire to keep them was indicative of a desire to possess, to cling, to avoid loss. Stocking up would have reflected a fear of change, of the future, and of the transient nature of things. I’m trying to move past this in my life, and a good step towards that is acknowledging that if my headphones break, I can repair them. If I can’t repair them, I can have them repaired. If I can’t have them repaired, I can buy a new pair. If I can’t buy a new pair, I can find a different model to enjoy. In the end, the music matters most–not the headphones.
Hopefully this helps others. You can’t win the stockpiling game; even if you hoard a lifetime supply, you then have to fear the loss of your treasures (to fire, to theft, to decay). Eventually, even if you avoid these pitfalls, you inevitably lose to death. The only way to win (as far as I can tell) is to drop out of the game entirely, and simply appreciate what you have in the present without trying to preserve it in the future.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Now HERE’S a topic I can get into. One of my hobbies is couponing, and I can get many food items, toiletries, ect. for free or nearly free. It’s a no-brainer for me to stock up on these items, since the out-of-pocket cost is so low. If I accidently over-stock, I give to family and friends. It’s never difficult for me to find people who can use shampoo, razors, toothpaste, ect.