I had to respond to your column on “Avoid Buyers Remorse.” I think most all thrifters have experienced regretting a purchase at sometime in their frugal career. My husband and I did last year when we stopped at a well-known thrift store thirty-five miles from our home. I went inside the shop to look around while hubby waited in the car. When I came out he was revving up the motor of a new-looking electric lawn mower. It looked and sounded great. Now, he is not the type to act hastily, especially when the machine had a $150.00 price tag, but he confessed that he had really been thinking about getting an electric lawn mower. And after trying the engine once more, we decided to buy it. It started right up when he took it out to the back yard; but after a few minutes it completely died. Same thing happened a second time. Now we knew why it had ended up at the thrift store.
The new purchase was stored away for several months, until my husband finally asked a mechanic friend to look at it. A worn-out part was discovered, and my husband decided to try calling the company for the replacement part. Of course, the part they sent was the wrong one, so he called again. While with the rep, he was told that the model in question was on recall and that the company would send a special box for him to ship the machine to them for fixing. To make a long story short, after several delays, more phone calls, and hassle at the UPS office, he finally had the packing box and correct shipping labels and sent the machine off to the company. Five days later the box returned with the refurbished lawn mower inside. That was fast service! Yes, the lawn mower now works, and we hope it lasts long enough to get our $150.00 investment back!
Although our story turned out positive, I doubt that we will ever take a chance on a second-hand item with a price tag like that again.

My purchases have been some vintage items I found online. It’s really hard because you’re looking at a picture and you have no idea if you’ll like what you see in the pic as much in person.
Lately, it was:
1) vintage scarf (I mean.. I don’t wear them)
2) a really *gaudy* ring (no idea what I was thinking there!)
3) a polyester *granny style* blouse (cute..but not me)
4) a 70s craft book

But, I feel my *mistake streak* is over. I found an absolutely gorgeous blouse on the same site and KNOW I will wear it to death!

I’m being a LOT more careful on there and hoping I can resell some of my mistakes!