8 Expensive Things That SUCK…and Why to Avoid Them!

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I’m sure we’re not alone in recognizing the thrill of expensive products and services. Whether you want to experience something expensive with the iconic status it has, or because it’s supposed to be of a high-quality level, there’s no denying that the idea of making a splashy purchase is exhilarating. Today, we’ll be taking a look at things that have a huge price tag, but when it comes down to it, we think they suck.

We understand the crushing feeling of realizing that your high-priced expenditure does not meet your expectations, typically because the expensive thing is hyped up in the first place, and the reality is hugely disappointing.

We’ve actually looked at things the other way around previously, with ten inexpensive things that are of great value for the money and the further nine items of incredible value in a follow-up post. Today, we’ll be looking at not only expensive products, but also a few generally expensive items you can buy, and we have an expensive service on the list, too.

Before we get started, just a little side note: when we say expensive things, we’re not talking about unrealistically expensive things such as gold-plated light switches and toilets. That level of expenditure is just not something that we’re used to on an everyday level.

1. Louis Vuitton Duffle Bag

Louis Vuitton KEEPALL BANDOULIÈRE 55 Monogram
Louis Vuitton KEEPALL BANDOULIÈRE 55 Monogram. [Image credit: Louis Vuitton Website]

First up is the infamous Louis Vuitton duffle bag. Perhaps this item isn’t a surprise if you’re a long-time viewer and you’ve seen Raphael’s in-depth review. If you haven’t found it yet, you can check it out to find out even more about why it made this list. Ultimately, we can’t justify the asking price of these bags.

Louis Vuitton Duffle Bag: Is It Worth It? – Luxury LV Keepall Bag Review

We bought the Keepall 55 in 2019 for $1,850, and in 2022, the same bag is now over $2,500; keeping in mind, the bag looks exactly the same as what we had in hand about three years ago. It seems like a particularly steep increase in the price, but the level of quality (or lack of quality) remains the same. Even though you’re expected to pay a luxury price, you’re really not receiving anything of high quality as the main body of a bag is a simple canvas and is coated in plastic or of some kind of vinyl variety.

It’s that same method of manufacturing you can find on a duffle bag Walmart that would have the Louis Vuitton look – at a fraction of the price. We’re not necessarily saying that you should buy a plastic-coated duffle bag. If you care more about having a bag that looks like a Louis Vuitton, we just wanted to let you know that this is pretty much the same quality level that you can expect; plus you get to save a lot of money, which you can put towards actually traveling somewhere with it.

Overall, if you want a reliable, high-quality weekender bag, take a look at Rafael’s favorite leather duffle in our other guide.

2. First-Class Travel

Most of the time, there’s an unsaid word that first-class travel should be just that, especially considering the price you end up paying for it. Unfortunately, not all first-class travel lives up to its name. You can easily find many different travel review channels on YouTube that provide in-depth experiences as the first-class accommodations on board and other travel options. All this to say, we’re certainly not claiming to be at the same level as these channels. We do enjoy traveling first class, whenever possible, and have a range of experiences on our team.

Traveling first class on a plane
First-class travel can be luxurious–but it isn’t always!

For many, first-class travel should be a luxurious and relaxing experience; perhaps even evoking the Golden Age of travel where the journey was just as important as the destination. Whether it’s the ability to skip the line, gain access to a different section of the vehicle, or enjoy any host of added features, first-class should be about paying the travel provider to go the extra mile.

Unfortunately, it’s more common to experience first-class prices with hardly any step up in the quality of service. For example, take this train operator in the UK, where the cost of taking a standard for your return journey is £34.50, and the same trip in first class accommodation is £51.80.

Difference between standard to first-class accommodation
Difference between standard to first-class accommodation. [Image Credit: ShowMeTheJourney]

So, what do you get for the extra money? Well, in first class, there are slightly fewer seats, a table, and a little cloth antimacassar stuck on the seat with Velcro.

Although those prices might seem negligible at first, they’re actually paying 50% more than the standard class ticket for traveling in the first-class section. But it sure doesn’t feel like a 50% increase in what you’re getting. Of course, this is just one example, and I’m sure you’ve seen other similar situations where there’s a huge jump in standard to first-class travel, and you wonder, “What am I actually getting for the extra money?”

That being said, not all first-class travel is the same, so it’s always worth checking reviews from other travelers to see what you’re getting for the price because, no matter what class of travel you take, you still need to check if the TSA will let your stuff on board.

3. Top Shelf Liquor

For the disappointing experience in first class, some might want to draw their sorrows in an expensive alcoholic beverage because a $200 bottle of wine has got to be so much more high-quality than a cheaper bottle, right? In our experience, this is rarely the case.

Raphael enjoying a high-priced alcoholic drink
Raphael enjoying a high-priced alcoholic drink. [Pictured: Off-White Rabbits on Wine Red Silk Wool Pocket Square by Fort Belvedere]

We know that there are a lot of nuances and a whole industry behind the art of wine tasting, but it’s also been proven that the best wine is always the one that you like, regardless of its price tag. This is applicable to premium alcohol in general, as wine certainly isn’t alone in this category.

Several alcoholic drinks with premium prices.
Not all expensive alcohol is premium, and not all premium alcohol is expensive. [Image credit: Vodka, Gin, Bacardi, Beerskey]

Other beverages, like vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, are all available at premium prices. It’s also worth mentioning that, within these groups, there are going to be some outliers, where you truly get something unique and special for a higher upfront price. But the reality is you shouldn’t feel like you need to spend a fortune on a particular alcoholic beverage just for the cachet of having said beverage on hand. If the drink you choose is delicious, then both you and whoever you choose to share your drink with should enjoy it.

4. Fast Fashion

Quality brands that offer at a fair price and wear it repeatedly.
Quality brands that offer at a fair price and wear it repeatedly.

Fast fashion might seem like a strange contender for today’s list because the whole point of fast fashion is that it’s offered at a very low sticker price. The problem is that it’s all just a ruse. Brands that promote fast fashion want you to buy something at a low price and replace it often, whereas, quality brands want you to purchase something at a fair price and wear it repeatedly.

Essentially, statistics show that the average fast fashion piece is typically worn one or two times before being thrown away. Many people have clothes in their closets with the tags still on but are never worn. So, a T-shirt that costs $10 feels cheap at the moment, but if it’s only worn once, you’ve paid $10 per wear, whereas a T-shirt that costs $40 and is worn every week for a whole year amounts suggests 77 cents per wear. Plus, if you have to keep buying those $10 T-shirts, the cost obviously adds up. Pretty astounding, right?

How do costs add up whenever we purchase different brands and wear them repeatedly
Costs add up when purchasing from different brands and not wearing them repeatedly.

Preston will guide you through the intricacies of the cost per wear equation in another guide, so you can avoid the fast fashion trap and get the best bang for your buck.

Should You Buy It? The Simple Equation: Cost Per Wear

5. Designer Watches

Let’s take a cue from Nathan for the next item on our list and mention watches made by clothing brands. Just to dispel any concern, we’re not talking about luxury watches from reputable brands, brands that have a long history of watchmaking. Those are typically the type of brands and timepieces we prefer to talk about in our full-length guides and reviews.

Classic luxury brand of watch that is very popular in the market
The classic Rolex watch is considered a high-quality luxury brand.

Generally speaking, though, most high-end clothing designers will have at least one or two watches available in their collection like Gucci, Burberry, or Michael Kors. These are all examples of brands that offer expensive timepieces that often fall short of the quality we’d hoped for.

Popular brands like Gucci, Burberry, and MK that has a line for watches as well.
Popular brands like Gucci, Burberry, and MK that has a line for watches as well.

I should actually back up a little and make a correction. Although I say these watches are made by clothing brands, the reality is: they’re made for the brands. The majority of these watches are made with low-quality materials in a large-scale production line in a generic factory. So, even that little Armani logo on the watch might get some form of status recognition, it doesn’t actually mean it’s a mark of quality craftsmanship.

If we stick with Armani, you can get their dive watch for $275, which is heavily inspired by the Rolex Submariner, or you could take our suggestion from our post on luxury watch alternatives where, for $69.99, you can purchase the Casio Duro, a dive watch made by a company with many years of reputable watchmaking. This watch boasts twice the amount of dive capability which, for a dive watch, is kind of essential.

Not only that, but the Casio also states that it’s a battery-operated watch, which is to be expected at this price point. At $275 dollars, Armani says that it’s a three-hand movement, which should mean that it’s a quartz watch, too. But, at this price, there’s a distinct lack of clarity, and that’s just disappointing.

6. Fancy Branded Luggage

ABS carry-on bag with an oversized, embossed eagle by Armani.
ABS carry-on bag with an oversized, embossed eagle by Armani. [Image credit: Emporio Armani]

Sticking to the theme of branded items like the Armani watch, we can also look toward the luggage offered by these fashion brands. We’ve separated this item from the Louis Vuitton duffle bag mentioned earlier for good reason.

Louis Vuitton started off as a luggage maker in Paris.
Louis Vuitton started off as a luggage maker in Paris.

Louis Vuitton actually started out as a luggage maker, with luggage being a core part of their brand since the beginning. The difference with this type of branded luggage is that it’s made from brands that have no history of luggage manufacture. They simply get luggage items made at a low cost to the brand, slap their logo on the finished product, and charge a premium price for it. There are so many brands that do this that it’d be impossible to name them all in one post.

But, you can consider brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, DKNY, and Gucci, which is unfortunate as Gucci was considered a high-quality luggage maker in the 1950s and 60s, as shown in the film The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Gucci was considered a top-quality maker of luggage during 1950-1960.
Gucci was considered a top-quality maker of luggage during 1950-1960.

Overall, if you’re in the market for reliable luggage, stick to the brands that know what they’re doing. We’ll let the fashion houses take care of clothing.

7. Designer Accessories

Expensive designer accessories
Expensive designer accessories

As a follow-on from designer luggage, we’d also like to take a minute to talk about designer accessories, specifically the type of accessories that aren’t part of the designer’s core range. Think of things like Burberry belts, wallets from Levi’s, and cufflinks from Gucci. These are all examples of items that have been manufactured by brands that have a high standing of making a certain type of product, so it just feels odd when they present this type of unusual adjacency in the form of misfitting accessories.

It’s important to mention that the brands that do this may actually not be all that bad. It’s just that these often logo-based accessories are usually a far cry from what you’d expect them to be; therefore, tarnishing the overall appearance of said brand.

Shift to thinking by looking at quality accessories instead. [Monkey Fist Knot Cufflinks - Vermeil Sterling Silver Yellow Gold Plated - Fort Belvedere]
Shift to thinking by looking at quality accessories instead. [Monkey Fist Knot Cufflinks – Vermeil Sterling Silver Yellow Gold Plated – Fort Belvedere]

In order to avoid disappointment when it comes to luxury accessories, we’d suggest you shift to thinking by looking at quality accessories instead. This is something we enjoy discussing in greater depth in our “Cheap versus Expensive” series, where you can see what really goes into making the price difference. Ultimately, you need to be getting the biggest return on your investment, and branded accessories are rarely the way to go.

8. Down Jackets

A comfy and lightweight down jacket in a dark pink shade.
A comfy and lightweight down jacket in bold red color.

For our last item, we turn to a winter coat must-have that, in recent years, has grown in popularity, which are down or puffer jackets. There’s a lot to like about puffer jackets, so much so that I go in depth in our dedicated guide.

Are Down Puffer Jackets for Men Timeless, or Just a Trend?

Down jackets can be great as they can be warm, light, and flexible options for deep winter jackets. But, for many of the puffer jackets out there, the down quality really isn’t that great. Not only that, but manufacturers usually take great care not to explain anything about down quality. So you end up feeling like you’ve got something great when the reality is that it’s mediocre at best. 

What a lot of people don’t know is about 100% down is both the lightest and the warmest insulator you can get for a puffer jacket. “Down” refers to the fluffy, soft, and related layer of feathers found below a bird’s tougher exterior feathers. Some brands will mix down with these outer feathers, which aren’t as insulating. This results in a coat that looks right and feels good when handled, but simply doesn’t measure up when it comes to actually keeping you warm.

Layers of feathers found below a bird's tougher exterior feathers makes a good down jacket.
Layers of feathers found below a bird’s tougher exterior feathers make a good down jacket.

The alternative is a down jacket that isn’t actually down-filled; instead, a synthetic filling is used that just won’t breathe well. In either of these situations, you could easily pay hundreds of dollars for a luxury coat that should keep you warm. The reality is you get left out in the cold.

Conclusion

While it’s enjoyable to splurge sometimes, the quality and desirability of a thing aren’t defined by price tags. No matter how luxurious, some things aren’t worth it. At the end of our list of super-priced things that simply don’t cut the mustard, we want to throw the question out to you.

Do you agree with our picks? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to tell us about any examples of things that you found that weren’t worth it either!

Outfit Rundown

Today, I’m wearing a green quilted jacket with a blue and white striped button-down shirt, off-white jeans, and brown chukka boots with Fort Belvedere socks. Check out the Fort Belvedere shop for socks like these.

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Dark Brown and Beige Fil d'Ecosse Cotton - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Dark Brown and Beige Fil d'Ecosse

Reader Comments

  1. I have found that most of the time, a generic version of something is just as good as the name brand and significantly cheaper.

    I just bought a 4-pack of merino wool socks at Costco for about $15. A single pair of socks from SmartWool or even REI would cost over $20 each.

    If it’s quality, your items don’t need to shout “I’M EXPENSIVE LOOK AT ME”

    That being said, I think it would make a great video to look at cheap vs. expensive vs. high quality basic items

    Is the quality of a $4 Hanes t-shirt from Walmart that much lower than a $40 t-shirt from American Giant? That kind of thing.

  2. here is a great advice for people that like to dine out. When picking out any wine from a restaurant’s wine list always pick the middle price range.
    why? because this is for the price the best bargain and you will very happy with the taste. The higher end? paying for the brand, the low end? well it’s not worth it. Now, if you want to “impress your date” and have the money go for the higher end. Me, I don’t need to impress anyone. Advice, from a former prestige “beverage asst. director.

  3. Thanks a lot, one more time a great read. And absoluteley true. Never buy anything just for the name tag on it!

    I’d never wear a Mercedes-Benz watch, either, although I truly love their cars. They’re just not a watch manufacturer. Which – by the way – does not apply to their perfumes. They hired a first class perfumer to create scents for their vehicles. And when he’s bored he creates great perfumes under the brand “Mercedes-Benz” that are really worth a sniff – and those are not overpriced at all. You really have to find the things that are worth it and the ones that aren’t. It’s not always as obvious as one might think.

    Just one remark on first class train travel in Europe … I had to smile at the fotographs comparing the first and standard class train accomodations in the UK. It’s just the same in Germany where I’m living. But BECAUSE it’s not at all better in the first class compartments, paying an affordable 50% extra actually does make a difference: Hardly anyone does it, and so you’ve got the whole first class compartment almost for yourself alone. And now, THAT does justify paying 50% more on a train ticket.

  4. Hello, I like that green quilted jacket Kyle is wearing in the 8 expensive things video. Who makes it, and where could I find it?

    Thank You

Comments are closed.