One should never grocery shop when they’re hungry — nor shop online during lockdown boredom.
A new survey has revealed the extent of buyers’ remorse as a result of hasty purchases — from hot tubs to Pelotons to gaming equipment — during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a time when much of the world was locked indoors, the study has shown that, in the UK alone, some $8.94 million worth of purchases made during the pandemic are no longer being used today, the BBC reported.
The poll, conducted by the British multinational insurance company Aviva, noted that 1 in 10 in the country regret at least one of their purchases made in 2020, and spent an average of nearly $1,900 each.
Out of some 4,000 shoppers in the UK, 45% have ranked gaming equipment as their highest regret, followed by 43% who purchased tools and carpentry equipment and the 39% of respondents who now regret having crammed exercise equipment into their homes — now taunting their inactivity.
Even some of the most seemingly amusing purchases have lead to contrition, including the 37% who apparently never mastered the perfect pizza dough despite investing in a pizza oven, another 37% who probably never learned to play the musical instrument they picked up, and the 36% who feel stuck with the expensive upkeep of a new hot tub — and not just of the “hillbilly” variety, either — one of the most popular purchases during 2020 at a rate of 1 in 20 residents in the UK, according to Independent.
Back in March, the insurer noted that hot tub claims had tripled from the previous year, an increase of 188% compared to 2019.
Another 32% who had hoped to spend more time outdoors on their own property now wish they’d never invested in lawn furniture, while 25% never did get into a bicycling routine with their new wheels.
Here’s a snapshot of Aviva’s full list of regrettable buys throughout the UK:
- Gaming equipment, 45%
- Tools/carpentry equipment, 43%
- Clothes or shoes, 43%
- Home gym equipment, 39%
- Musical instruments, 37%
- Pizza oven, 37%
- Hot tub/jacuzzi, 36%
- Sports equipment, such as fishing or golf, 34%
- Scooter, 32%
- Garden furniture, 32%
- Jewelry, 32%
- Kitchen appliance, e.g. air-fryer, bread-maker 31%
- Voice-activated assistant, 31%
- Smartphone/tablet, 30%
- TV, 30%
- Hobby/craft equipment, 30%
- Computer tech, 28%
- Bicycle, 27%