A new study by custom packaging company Arka examined 20 popular products to identify which people buy most often but never use again.
The report looked at public Reddit discussions tied to buyer regret and unused purchases, classifying each post or comment as reflecting little or no use, mixed use, or regular use and the share of negative responses for each item.
Here’s a look at the top 10 things people buy but never use:
1. Unworn Clothes
Unworn clothes are Americans’ biggest shopping regret. Close to 9 in 10 buyers on Reddit say a large portion of what they buy never gets worn, sitting in their wardrobes with tags still on. According to the threads, most of it comes down to impulse buying, with some people also picking up clothes for a size they’re still working toward.
2. Slow Juicer
Slow juicers rank second among regret buys, with 86% of Reddit users saying they stop using them within a few days to a few weeks after purchase. Seven Reddit threads point to the same issue every time: the cleanup. Every single use means taking the whole thing apart, scrubbing each component, and dealing with leftover pulp. So most slow juicers end up in a closet or on a second-hand market within the first month.
3. Shoes and High Heels
Shoes and high heels are also a shopping regret for many. 8 out of 10 buyers on Reddit admit that a good chunk of what they own has never been worn outside the house. According to the threads, most pairs are bought for a special occasion or simply because they look good. Interestingly, the threads also show that people sometimes know the fit isn’t right but buy them anyway.
4. Handbags
Handbags rank fourth in shopping regrets, with 8 in 10 buyers on Reddit saying their purchase barely leaves the closet. According to internet users, they most often buy these items for their design or for brand appeal. But these handbags end up being too heavy, too awkward, or just harder to style than expected.
5. Beauty and Skincare Products
Beauty and skincare products round out the top five disappointing purchases. More than 75% of Reddit users who regret buying them say they opened the products once and never touched them again. When talking about reasons, the threads point to internet trends and big discounts. But in reality, keeping up with viral trends is often too complicated, or these skincare products are simply not suited to the buyer’s skin type.
