I see posts talking about good BIFL items but I don’t hear much about the other side of products that are bad or products you bought but don’t even use.
Bose Quiet Comfort II true wireless headphones.
I’d been toying with the idea forever. My earbuds are old, a little bulky, have some connectivity issues when one disconnects and it takes a lot of fussing to get them reconnected. So I decided to spend the money.
I get them from B&H. I get home, put them in, one of them has some sound issues—but other than that, the sound and fit were perfect. Like, they were my glass slipper. They fit perfectly, the seal was perfect, they wouldn’t ever hurt my ears after extended use…I was shocked.
But.
Having issues with one, I started messing with them, seeing if could get support or troubleshoot. Of course the first thing in the box is a QR for their app. Now, I never fuck with physical products apps. If I need an app, chances are I won’t use your shit. But I really wanted these to work, so I go to the app, and dig through the privacy policy.
Two addenda later, they’re trying to get me to sign the most obscene privacy policy ever. Listen to/record everything I play, collect a profile on me, listen to any ambient noise around the microphone, and weirdly, “map my head shape and movements?”
I deleted that app as quickly as I could. So I go to their support page on their site. Get into a chat with their customer service bot. It says, “replying to this message is agreement to our privacy policy.” So I open the link, read it…it kinda seems reasonable. Just talking about using my chat responses for training, standard. But then THREE layers of addenda deep I find here trying to get me to sign THE EXACT SAME FUCKIN POLICY.
I ran those fuckers back to the store. But not before trying to get someone on the phone about the legal matters. Yeah, nah. They wouldn’t connect me to someone in their legal dept. In fact, the very request seemed to puzzle them to no end.
FUCK BOSE. READ YOUR PRIVACY POLICIES.
Holy shit, was never aware of this. Will stay far away from this brand!
I read somewhere that GoPros and other action cameras are one of the least used purchases, so I figured “that should mean there’s plenty on eBay”. So grabbed up second hand bargain, played around with it for a couple of weeks, bought some extra batteries and other accessories, and since then it’s sat in the cupboard except for a single occasion.
Turns out you don’t need an action cam if you’re not getting any action.
A gaming chair, one of those that look like racer chairs. It basically destroyed my back, worst purchase of my life
Best advice Ive heard on chairs "Fuck gamer and racer style chairs. Look for something that screams “Im going to fire 3000 people over Zoom in this shit”
Probably because in a real racing seat there’s a harness to keep you from slouching. I used to have terrible lower back issues with a Recaro bucket seat I converted for a desk chair. Never had a problem with it driving for hours when it was in my car (may it rest in pieces). Then it dawned on me that the seatbelt was maintaining my posture. Added a lap belt and the back problems abated.
Not only that. A racing chairs is not intended to be good for your back. It has a very different use, it protects you in the case of a crash. So unless you often get into car accidents while gaming, better to buy a chair that is specialised at ergonomics, not impact protection .
A switch. There are a handful of good games but I prefer to play on my computer
I bought a Steam Deck so I can play games while on the go. I just kind of forgot I’m never actually on the go, so 90% of the time it’s just gathering dust on my nightstand, because I’d rather play on my proper gaming PC when I’m at home.
A cellphone in like 1995. Had if for a few days before realizing I didn’t have anyone to call. Returned it not long after.
Games on Steam sales.
I brought a drain snake for 3x the price of liquid drain unblocker and it got stuck in the drain and won’t come out.
My Steam library
Have I got some good news for you then.
One cannot buy digital content with DRM, only rent it.
It’s impossible to regret acquisitions you’ve never made.
Point in case. You can sell on your physical games. Not so much the digital ones.
All that said, I too use Steam, just not mainly anymore.
Edit: Holy smokes did this blow up! I’m happy to drive engagement here on the fediverse, albeit I do believe I struck a nerve. Either that, or some people have poor reading capabilities - I see the comments refuting something I haven’t said.
This used to be true, but not anymore (if you live in the EU)! https://www.eurogamer.net/eu-rules-publishers-cannot-stop-you-reselling-your-downloaded-games
That said I know what you’re saying and this change doesn’t make it so you own the games, they’re just allowing you to resell the right to download and play on Steam, blabla. But it’s better than it used to be.
That’s amazing. How do I sell my steam games ? is there a way ?
A jet ski and a GoPro . And 10 years later we still have never used that kitchenaid stand mixer. It looks nice on the counter though.
It’s great for homemade pizza dough, you should try it sometime
Salt and Pepper grinder from a well recommended brand. Was like 80 bucks for the set and it’s not better than the ones I get from Sam’s Club. Infact it’s worse. Disappointing.
Infact
Not a word.
Not with that attitude
Who would downvote this? It’s true. It’s helpful. It’s free advice.
It’s true, but not helpful. If it was helpful it would actually tell them it’s spelt “in fact” and not just say: not a word
It’s untrue. ‘Infact’ is infact a word by the virtue of it being both used and understood. Language is defined by those who use it.
haters who complain about new words have no rizz
You are right in principle. New words can pop up. Them being accepted however is not just a matter of a few people using them and saying that it is so.
It’s about usage and being accepted in larger groups or areas. Language is defined by what’s surviving a generation or two. Everything else is slang.
