What is the oldest thing that you bought NEW

[Superhero 8827]

I have a hair brush that I bought in 3rd grade and still use it everyday. It’s been almost 40 years and still going strong.

I was living in South Africa at the time and the exchange rate was $1 for every Rand. So this is they best $1.30 (not adjusted for inflation) I’ve ever spent. 

[Gil Bang 25907]

Well, my parents bought it, but the oldest thing I have is a 1976 Honda XR75.  It's worn out, but I plan to restore it in the next few years for my grandson.

[Classic Rock 274]

I have a "Texas Runnin Horns" t-shirt from the 89-90 Season that is now sleeveless and thinner than toilet paper, but is still wearable.

[gofuckyourself 8198]

Master of Puppets CD circa 1988. Still floating around somewhere.

[Dbeasy 15040]

14 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

Well, my parents bought it, but the oldest thing I have is a 1976 Honda XR75.  It's worn out, but I plan to restore it in the next few years for my grandson.

Eliminate parents, grandparents, etc because we will be taking about antiques for days. Focus on YOU. 

[Gil Bang 25907]

Well, it was a gift to me brand new, but 11 year old me didn't have the cash to buy it myself.

[GoPokes83 2240]

I’ve got a quilt made from some early 80’s t-shirts from college if that counts. If not I think I have a bowl t-shirt from the 90’s still floating around.

[Dbeasy 15040]

I would also propose it to be an item you still actively use, ie not things that you just look at,  like pictures that just hang on your wall. I’ve got a lot of stuff like that I bought as a kid. 

[Kwix 2186]

I've had this for 30 years, just keep refilling it.  My mom bought it for me when I went off to college.  

Edited April 25, 2023 by Kwix

[MissingInAction 25004]

1999 Roy Williams jersey. 

I wear it to every ou sucks game because it's bright af and I usually sit in the ou sucks section because the tickets are half as much.

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by MissingInAction

[baboso 6054]

42 year old clock radio that I bought at Service Merchandise and still use.

[msucolt45 4052]

I bought a “dial” combination lock in 1988 prior to going to Army Basic Training. Used it throughout my service on lockers, duffel bags, and etc.

Outside of my service ending in ‘95, I’ve used it outside on gates, storage sheds, and etc. Every once in a while I’d put a spray of WD-40 in it and it still works today - same combination since I purchased and opened the package too.

Hook’em!!!

[locodos 5387]

I've got a pair of needle nose pliers that I bought from Sears 35+ years ago to work on my first car.  They don't have craftsman markings on them anywhere. They are the best pair of pliers I've ever used.  I have looked to find a replacement pair (just to have handy or to give to my son) of the exact same unit.   Nothing out there is the same size / quality.  These are small but strong, side cutters are sharp and flawless, still open and close smooth as butter, no slop from side to side, and the taper to a fairly fine point is perfect.  They feel like they are only limited by your grip strength. Feels like you could pull splinters with them or lift an engine block.

I have used them on boats, cars, and a myriad miscellaneous projects around the house.  Several times my brother has tried to just toss them in his tool box after helping me with something and I stop him cold.

Similar to these but with thinner jaws and asymmetrical taper.  Lots of cheaper tools have cruder molds and looser tolerances.

[Rimbo 25908]

53 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

Well, my parents bought it, but the oldest thing I have is a 1976 Honda XR75.  It's worn out, but I plan to restore it in the next few years for my grandson.

Feel like this, and my bicycle (Fuji Berkeley ca 1982), would be like Ship of Theseus type things.

Now on my bed right now is a quilt that wrapped up my Mom when she was a baby. So... 1940. And nothing on it has been replaced. Washed, occasionally.

[Rimbo 25908]

3 minutes ago, locodos said:

I've got a pair of needle nose pliers that I bought from Sears 35+ years ago to work on my first car.  They don't have craftsman markings on them anywhere. They are the best pair of pliers I've ever used.  I have looked to find a replacement pair (just to have handy or to give to my son) of the exact same unit.   Nothing out there is the same size / quality.  These are small but strong, side cutters are sharp and flawless, still open and close smooth as butter, no slop from side to side, and the taper to a fairly fine point is perfect.  They feel like they are only limited by your grip strength. Feels like you could pull splinters with them or lift an engine block.

I have used them on boats, cars, and a myriad miscellaneous projects around the house.  Several times my brother has tried to just toss them in his tool box after helping me with something and I stop him cold.

Similar to these but with thinner jaws and asymmetrical taper.  Lots of cheaper tools have cruder molds and looser tolerances.

Man, that original Craftsman stuff was the best. I had a ratchet and socket set that I bought in the 1990s that a former, unlamented neighbor "borrowed" and never returned.

That was ten years ago, and I'm still pissed about it.

[Rimbo 25908]

42 minutes ago, Dbeasy said:

Eliminate parents, grandparents, etc because we will be taking about antiques for days. Focus on YOU. 

Oh.

Well, in that case, my Ibanez fretless bass I bought in like '93 or so.

[Crapinon 2252]

I've got Hook 'em horn Toilet paper from around '74 somewhere in the house. A Texas Pendant and button from around '72. Green Bay and Dallas pendants I bought when I saw them play in the Cotton Bowl in '65 or '66. Vince Lomabardi's game from the late 60's. Lots of baseball pendants from the first 2 or 3 years of the Rangers in Arlington Stadium too. And boxes of football and baseball cards. 100's of Matchbox cars. I'm a serious packrat, I never throw anything away. 

[MAUFRAIS 6615]

Still have the R.O.B. from the Nintendo I bought in 1986.

[Rimbo 25908]

Wait... no. I've got a Roland MX-5 mixer that I got in I think like 1991? 92?

Yeah, that.

[mininghorn88 2276]

I have a 10’ Stanley tape measure that I bought while in college for a project. Somehow have managed to hang on to it through multiple moves, kids using it, taking it with me on projects, etc. Still works like a charm.

[DallasHorn26 586]

I've got a box of my childhood Hot Wheels cars and ninja turtle action figures, some I would have bought with my allowance, circa late 80s. 

[locodos 5387]

1 minute ago, Rimbo said:

Man, that original Craftsman stuff was the best. I had a ratchet and socket set that I bought in the 1990s that a former, unlamented neighbor "borrowed" and never returned.

That was ten years ago, and I'm still pissed about it.

I worked at Sears back in high school.  Sears was in decline, you could just feel it.  But Sears was VERY serious about protecting the perceived value of their tools. Almost cult like I would say.  We had a little old man bring in a hammer that looked like it belonged in a museum for tortured tools.  It was a craftsman (still barely legible on the head) and the handle was worn down from god knows how much use and the head was taped/nailed onto the old wood that was coming apart.  Well we couldn't find it in the catalogs and the old man just wanted another hammer or have it fixed.  The manager asked him how old it was and he said he didn't know, but as a kid he got it for christmas from his dad.  The manager then told him we would of course honor the warranty and he could have any Craftsman hammer he wanted no matter the cost.  He spent about a half hour trying to talk the guy into a really nice "modern" hammer with a fiberglass hand etc...  It was lighter and might be easier for him to use, and after all it would be free.  Nope, the old guy just picked a basic old cheap plain jane hammer.  Usually, we needed to take the old tool, or what was left of it in exchange. (just to be thrown out)  But the manager insisted he keep the old one if he wanted since it was a gift.  That was NOT done for marketing or future sales, the manager was a true believer.  If it was Craftsman, Sears will make it right or better than right.   That was not just corporate talking points, it was a point of pride.  RIP  

[Jerry Callo 8695]

Oldest thing I can think of is a watch I purchased from Foley's at Highland Mall - circa 1987.

[TrashMaster G 17541]

59 minutes ago, baboso said:

42 year old clock radio that I bought at Service Merchandise and still use.

I miss Service Merchandise.

[Crapinon 2252]

And I still have one of these "The Warriors" jackets from Chess King around '81. This isn't mine but I have the exact same one.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

28 minutes ago, DallasHorn26 said:

I've got a box of my childhood Hot Wheels cars and ninja turtle action figures, some I would have bought with my allowance, circa late 80s. 

Yeah, I have some green army men and a tank and some other stuff I bought myself at Ben Franklin or some such about 1973 or 74.  If stuff you bought yourself that’s the oldest.  

[Baboontyme 2809]

A couple of Real Baby's from the 1980s

[huge 3793]

Possibly this baseball card

[tx 3 putt 76865]

Radio alarm clock group here 

I have some hand tools that are 50years old 

[CHIEF 5075]

Original 1977 Saturday Night Fever album. That bitch was nearly $17. First "big" item I ever saved up money for, and it took about six months to save up.

CHIEF

[Gil Bang 25907]

51 minutes ago, locodos said:

I worked at Sears back in high school.  Sears was in decline, you could just feel it.  But Sears was VERY serious about protecting the perceived value of their tools. Almost cult like I would say.  We had a little old man bring in a hammer that looked like it belonged in a museum for tortured tools.  It was a craftsman (still barely legible on the head) and the handle was worn down from god knows how much use and the head was taped/nailed onto the old wood that was coming apart.  Well we couldn't find it in the catalogs and the old man just wanted another hammer or have it fixed.  The manager asked him how old it was and he said he didn't know, but as a kid he got it for christmas from his dad.  The manager then told him we would of course honor the warranty and he could have any Craftsman hammer he wanted no matter the cost.  He spent about a half hour trying to talk the guy into a really nice "modern" hammer with a fiberglass hand etc...  It was lighter and might be easier for him to use, and after all it would be free.  Nope, the old guy just picked a basic old cheap plain jane hammer.  Usually, we needed to take the old tool, or what was left of it in exchange. (just to be thrown out)  But the manager insisted he keep the old one if he wanted since it was a gift.  That was NOT done for marketing or future sales, the manager was a true believer.  If it was Craftsman, Sears will make it right or better than right.   That was not just corporate talking points, it was a point of pride.  RIP  

The other day I was planning a little suspension work, and I'm not as much a daredevil as I once was, so I decided to buy a couple of Jackstands.  
Bought the Craftsman Brand at Lowes.  The box said "Craftsman name used under license granted to Stanley Tool and Black and Decker".

[nnm 36338]

Sharp Radio alarm clock that I bought in about 1979. 
Master combination lock from junior high (1979). Combo 11-38-16. I’ve kept it in the various gym bags I’ve used over the years and have used it to lock my gym lockers for 44 years. 

[Gil Bang 25907]

18 minutes ago, nnm said:

Sharp Radio alarm clock that I bought in about 1979. 
Master combination lock from junior high (1979). Combo 11-38-16. I’ve kept it in the various gym bags I’ve used over the years and have used it to lock my gym lockers for 44 years. 

Just curious; which gym do you go to?

[YGIFS 19449]

oldest thing I bought new?

Nobody's gonna say "Your mom's virginity" ?  C'mon surly! 

 

To clarify, if it's the oldest thing we bought ourselves like with our own money?  The oldest one I can remember is my mom's sister, who was my favorite aunt at the time.  She came to "visit" from Northern California.  I was 3 or 4.  I didn't know she was seeing a specialist in Chicago for advanced breast cancer.  I had a couple of bucks in change from chores and grandma giving me a quarter here and there.  My aunt Vilma took me to a K-Mart and I bought a copy of "Mister Happy", one of the original from the series of Mister Books y'all may remember from the late 70's/early 80's.  She sat with me and taught me to read that book and between her and a dedicated preschool and Kindergarten teacher, I was hyper-literate by age 5.  She died a year later.  And I read every one of those Mister Books I could find/buy/borrow.  

The first one "Mister Happy", along with all the others are in my daughter's bookcase as a reminder for our love of reading.  And the K-Mart $1.00 sticker is still on the top right of the cover and has barely faded.  The pages are falling apart, but the lesson and memories endure.  I believe in investing good money in quality products that last, but that $1 sparked a change that will echo throughout her family for generations. 

[Dbeasy 15040]

1 hour ago, Crapinon said:

And I still have one of these "The Warriors" jackets from Chess King around '81. This isn't mine but I have the exact same one.

I still have and wear a black checkered polo I bought at the Chess King in 1982. That Polyester has held up well.  

[nnm 36338]

23 minutes ago, YGIFS said:

oldest thing I bought new?

Nobody's gonna say "Your mom's virginity" ?  C'mon surly! 

 

To clarify, if it's the oldest thing we bought ourselves like with our own money?  The oldest one I can remember is my mom's sister, who was my favorite aunt at the time.  She came to "visit" from Northern California.  I was 3 or 4.  I didn't know she was seeing a specialist in Chicago for advanced breast cancer.  I had a couple of bucks in change from chores and grandma giving me a quarter here and there.  My aunt Vilma took me to a K-Mart and I bought a copy of "Mister Happy", one of the original from the series of Mister Books y'all may remember from the late 70's/early 80's.  She sat with me and taught me to read that book and between her and a dedicated preschool and Kindergarten teacher, I was hyper-literate by age 5.  She died a year later.  And I read every one of those Mister Books I could find/buy/borrow.  

The first one "Mister Happy", along with all the others are in my daughter's bookcase as a reminder for our love of reading.  And the K-Mart $1.00 sticker is still on the top right of the cover and has barely faded.  The pages are falling apart, but the lesson and memories endure.  I believe in investing good money in quality products that last, but that $1 sparked a change that will echo throughout her family for generations. 

I think they sell “Mister Happy” at the massage place in the strip mall. 

[Rimbo 25908]

Wait no I've got one.

AC/DC's Who Made Who.

Still have a top notch Sony tape deck to play it on, too.

Not that I ever do, mind you...

Edited April 25, 2023 by Rimbo

[tfoolry 8201]

2 hours ago, locodos said:

I've got a pair of needle nose pliers that I bought from Sears 35+ years ago to work on my first car.  They don't have craftsman markings on them anywhere. They are the best pair of pliers I've ever used.  I have looked to find a replacement pair (just to have handy or to give to my son) of the exact same unit.   Nothing out there is the same size / quality.  These are small but strong, side cutters are sharp and flawless, still open and close smooth as butter, no slop from side to side, and the taper to a fairly fine point is perfect.  They feel like they are only limited by your grip strength. Feels like you could pull splinters with them or lift an engine block.

I have used them on boats, cars, and a myriad miscellaneous projects around the house.  Several times my brother has tried to just toss them in his tool box after helping me with something and I stop him cold.

Similar to these but with thinner jaws and asymmetrical taper.  Lots of cheaper tools have cruder molds and looser tolerances.

Prob. not oldest but still used weekly.  

[YGIFS 19449]

48 minutes ago, nnm said:

I think they sell “Mister Happy” at the massage place in the strip mall. 

If it's still just $1, count me in.  

[Mach 1 1677]

Can’t recall if I bought this as a kid in 1970s El Paso or my mom. Nevertheless my hair was also feathered back like the wings of a majestic bird.

[South Austin 52442]

3 hours ago, baboso said:

42 year old clock radio that I bought at Service Merchandise and still use.

I had the same bedside clock radio from fifth grade until just before I reached 40. I almost cried when it died.

[ftf82 485]

HP12C calculator purchased with Xmas money in December of 1983 for college accounting/finance classes. Still use it to this day. Plus a bunch of old vinyl.

[Underdog 28544]

Didn't buy but was a wedding present 40 years ago. 

 

[Mittens 8255]

Steel toe lace up Red Wing boots. 1993

 

[Superhero 8827]

The second oldest thing that I bought new is an Eddie Bauer travel mug like the picture below. Bought it in 1992-3 from Highland Mall. I still use it for my coffee on weekends.

[UTCzech III 2907]

Until a few years ago it would have been a MAD Magazine from 1976 (Jaws), but I sold all those off.  Now it's a Marvel Star Wars Special Edition #2 (my brother stole #1) bought for the astronomical sum of $0.88 at the Winn's in Hempstead in 1977.

 

[Gil Bang 25907]

2 hours ago, ftf82 said:

HP12C calculator purchased with Xmas money in December of 1983 for college accounting/finance classes. Still use it to this day. Plus a bunch of old vinyl.

Bought mine around the same time, for the same reason.   I don't use it much, but I still have it. 

[baboso 6054]

11 hours ago, South Austin said:

I had the same bedside clock radio from fifth grade until just before I reached 40. I almost cried when it died.

The speaker on mine has been blown out for about 20 years, so the radio function is gone.  Still keeps time and makes a loud noise when the alarm goes off, so it remains in use.  Home, JUCO, college (dorm, apartment, two different rent houses), Tulsa, Shreveport, Dallas, D.C., Atlanta, Birmingham, Dallas, and now back in Atlanta.  It has been a well travelled alarm clock.

[Native Horn 3498]

11 hours ago, ftf82 said:

HP12C calculator purchased with Xmas money in December of 1983 for college accounting/finance classes. Still use it to this day. Plus a bunch of old vinyl.

I got a 12C in about 1992 to use for work.  Subsequently lost it at work, expensed the purchase of a new one, then found the old one.  Still have both.  I can barely use a "normal" calculator now since they operate a bit differently.

[DigglerontheHoof 21169]

16 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

Well, my parents bought it, but the oldest thing I have is a 1976 Honda XR75.  It's worn out, but I plan to restore it in the next few years for my grandson.

Raced an XR-75 in motocross when I was in elementary school.  Those 4 stroke fuckers were torquey as hell.  Got the hole-shot damn near every time.