12 Consumer Products That Are Not Worth Buying

If you’ve been following this blog over the past four years, you’re likely well aware that I believe that sharing real-world insights can help others make more informed decisions. Today’s post is no exception to this approach. In this article, I want to discuss twelve consumer products that, based on my own experiences, are not worth buying. These are products I’ve personally tried and tested (except the 11th product), and I’ve found them to fall short of their promises or simply not provide value for the money spent. I aim to help you avoid the disappointment and unnecessary expense that can come with purchasing them. By sharing these insights, I hope to help you make smarter purchasing decisions and ultimately save money. So, if you want to learn which products to steer clear of, keep reading. Below, I’ve detailed the 12 consumer products that are not worth buying, based on firsthand experience. [In Pic: Bottles of various beverages and frozen food on display at Cargills Food City in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.]

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are based on personal experience and independent research. I have not received any compensation or incentives from the brands or companies mentioned.

Atlas Super Glue

Superglue is widely recognized today for its strong bonding properties, making it a household staple. I’ve come across at least six different brands of superglue, but a quality superglue should dry in under 20 seconds. Unfortunately, “Atlas Super Glue”, which I’ve added to my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying, takes up to 5 minutes to dry, regardless of the climate conditions. This delay sets it apart from other brands I’ve used. Fortunately, there are better alternatives available. The first is “Multibond Super Glue” known for its fast-drying capability even in air-conditioned environments. (To my knowledge Multibond was the first brand to introduce superglue to the Sri Lankan market.) Another reliable option is “Hi-Tech Super Glue” which can be easily found in hardware stores, supermarkets, and online stores such as Daraz. Lastly, “Fevicol Super Glue” is also a dependable alternative.

Kist Kithul Treacle

Kithul Treacle is a beloved food product in Sri Lanka, enjoyed with yoghurt, curd, and even plain rice, particularly in the south. However, finding good quality Kithul Treacle used to be difficult before it became widely available in supermarkets. Now, I’ve noticed three major brands on the shelves: Kist, MD, and Ceylon Since 1844. Recently, I purchased a 340ml bottle of Kist Kithul Treacle for the first time because it was the cheapest at 550 rupees. However, when I tried it with milk rice, I found the treacle to be runny and not as thick as it should be, with a bland taste. This disappointing experience landed Kist Kithul Treacle on my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying. Next time I shop for Kithul Treacle, I’ll opt for either MD or Ceylon Since 1844. Though they are more expensive, with the latter priced at Rs. 2,450.00 a 375ml bottle, they are worth the extra cost for their superior quality.

Frozen Broiler Chicken

All types of meat, including broiler chicken, contain natural moisture. When frozen, this moisture turns into ice crystals and expands, increasing the meat’s weight by up to 30%. For example, if you buy a kilogram of Crysbro whole chicken for 1,257.93 rupees, you’re paying for an extra 300 grams in weight due to the ice. This means you end up paying 1,635.31 rupees, which is 377.38 rupees more than the actual meat cost earning a spot on my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying. So, what’s the alternative? Consider buying fresh, unfrozen chicken. Both Keells Super and Cargills Food City have sections where they sell thawed chicken. (I’ve stopped buying meat from supermarkets altogether and now purchase it from shops like “D & G Butchery“) – Opting for chicken liver at 800.00 rupees per Kilo or chicken gizzard at 975.00 rupees per kilo from Cargills Food City is another alternative.

Imported (Fresh) Fruits

The streets of Pettah and even some supermarkets often advertise so-called imported “fresh” fruits. While these fruits are indeed imported, they are not as fresh as the merchants claim. In countries like the UK, USA, and Australia, supermarkets don’t keep fresh produce for more than six days. After that, the produce is considered near expiry and is removed from shelves. Importers buy this near-expiry produce for very little and sell it here at a good profit. You may not notice much difference in taste or quality, but the issue is that these fruits are marketed as fresh when they aren’t. This is why the so-called imported fresh fruits are on my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying. So, what’s the alternative? If you’re in Colombo, you can try the Good Market. If there isn’t a Good Market in your area, you can visit the local Economic Centre, where plenty of locally produced fruits are available.

Cut Fruits and Vegetables

I used to regularly buy cut fruit platters from supermarkets until I discovered the truth about them. A former intern at a well-known supermarket, which he didn’t name but hinted is one people often stop by “on their way home” (“ගෙදර යන ගමන්”), revealed the practice behind these cut fruits and vegetables. The supermarket takes rotten produce, smashed, nearing expiry, or already expired, removes the damaged parts, cuts them up, and sells them as fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. Some justify this by saying it reduces food waste, comparing it to a similar practice in France called “Anti Gaspi” (French for “Anti Waste”). However, in France, supermarkets inform customers that the cut produce is made from leftover items. In Sri Lanka, supermarkets hide this truth, not to reduce waste, but to maximize profit at any cost. This unethical business practice is why cut fruits and vegetables made it onto my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying.

Note: It appears supermarkets have stopped this disgusting and unethical practice after it was exposed on social media, as I haven’t seen cut fruit or vegetable palettes at supermarkets for quite some time now.

Barbecued & Devilled Meat

In 2020, I watched a BBC documentary that focused on “pagpag,” a term in the Philippines for leftover food scraps collected from restaurants or garbage bins, which are cleaned, recooked, and eaten or sold by those in poverty. It sounds terrible, doesn’t it? But did you know that you might have been eating “pagpag” without even realizing it? Today, it’s common to see unsuspecting consumers buying barbecued meat from grills set up in front of supermarkets. However, the reality behind these grills is even worse than the situation with cut fruits and vegetables. According to the former intern, meat that is nearing its expiry date or has already expired is often barbecued or grilled. Similarly, fish and prawns that aren’t safe for consumption are cooked and sold as devilled dishes. The alternative? Avoid buying devilled fish, prawns, or barbecued meat altogether, and instead, prepare them yourself at home.

Note: It appears supermarkets have stopped this disgusting and unethical practice after it was exposed on social media, as I haven’t seen barbecue grills at supermarkets for quite some time now. Therefore, I wasn’t able to take any pictures.

Unbranded Brown Eggs

Both Cargills Food City and Keells Super offer cartons of brown eggs (10 per carton) from well-known vendors like Happy Hen, Nel Farm, and Havana Brown Eggs. However, at the Nuwara Eliya branch of Cargills Food City, you’ll only find a non-branded pack of eggs, like the one pictured above. You might wonder what’s wrong with non-branded eggs, since eggs are just eggs, right? Here’s the issue: these non-branded eggs weighing around 53.4g each are priced at Rs. 687.50 per carton while you can get larger eggs, weighing between 56-63g each, for Rs. 650.00 per carton. The price difference is just Rs. 37.50, but why pay even a penny more when you can get a better product? It’s the reason why I have added them to my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying. My alternative is to buy eggs from “Woodlands Traders“, a grocery store in the middle of Nuwara Eliya Town.

Nescafe Classic Instant Coffee

Nescafe is a popular instant coffee brand worldwide, including in Sri Lanka, and is known for its convenience and taste. Nescafe Classic, however, has earned a spot on my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying due to its declining quality over the years, even as prices continue to rise. Once known for its rich flavour, Nescafe Classic has lost its original taste, becoming bland, while its price has increased significantly. A better alternative is Bon Aroma, a coffee brand imported from Vietnam. Although the taste of Bon Aroma can vary depending on the variant, it’s generally known for a stronger and bolder flavour compared to Nescafe Classic. The price difference is another plus. While a 200g bottle of Nescafe Classic costs Rs. 3,600, a 200g bottle of Bon Aroma is only Rs. 2,850. This means you get a better-tasting coffee for Rs. 750 less, making Bon Aroma the smarter choice.

Astra Margarine

Astra Fat Spread, commonly known as Astra Margarine, has been on the local market since 1966, making it a familiar brand for over 60 years. It seems to be a variant of BlueBand Margarine, which may be even older. Astra hasn’t kept up with other brands like Flora and Meadowlea despite its long presence. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recession, Astra has become more expensive, and its taste no longer matches up to other kinds of margarine or its former quality, making it less appealing. The alternative I recommend is Meadowlea. While Flora Margarine is also an option, it’s out of my budget. A 500g tub of Meadowlea costs Rs. 895, which is Rs. 55 cheaper than Astra. Beyond the price, Meadowlea outshines Astra with its superior taste, smoother texture, and overall consistency, making it the better choice for quality and value.

Maliban Milk Powder

There are many brands of milk powder available in the local market today, including Anchor, Lakspray, Nespray, and Maliban, among others. When I was a kid, Maliban was primarily known as a biscuit brand before it expanded into the milk powder business. At that time, Anchor and Nespray were the most popular choices for milk powder. Here’s why I believe Maliban Milk Powder deserves a spot on my list of 12 consumer products not worth buying. Unlike Anchor, an international brand known for its premium quality and consistency, Maliban’s price is nearly the same. The Anchor Milk Powder 1kg trade pack costs Rs. 3,095, while the Maliban Full Cream Foil Pack 1kg is priced at Rs. 2,620. What’s even worse is that both the 400g packs of Anchor and Maliban cost the same—Rs. 1,050. So why would I choose a local brand when I can get a premium international brand like Anchor for the same price or for just a small difference?

Dreamron Products

I haven’t personally used Dreamron products, as their target market is primarily women. However, Dreamron Shampoo and Conditioner made it onto my list of 12 consumer products that are not worth buying based on the feedback of a trusted friend. This friend is a PhD candidate and Agriculture and Food Systems Researcher at the University of Sydney, so her insights carry weight. She shared that Dreamron products often cause hair loss and skin irritation, which is concerning. While it could potentially be an allergic reaction, many other consumers have reported similar issues after using Dreamron products, suggesting it’s more widespread than an isolated sensitivity. Given these repeated complaints, it’s clear that Dreamron may not be the safest or most effective choice for hair care. After considering the alternatives, Bellos seems to be the best option available at the moment. It offers a gentler, more reliable experience without the negative side effects reported with Dreamron.

Sun Flower Garbage Bags

Typically, I purchase K Choice garbage bags from Cargills Food City, but when they were out of stock last week, I had to opt for an alternative brand called “Sun Flower.” Unfortunately, this is why Sunflower garbage bags earned a spot on my list of 12 consumer products not worth buying. For my needs, the standard size of an XL garbage bag is 47 x 34 inches. I use four heavy-duty garbage bins with dimensions of 15 inches in diameter and 24 inches in height, so I need bags that fit properly. When I purchased the Sun Flower garbage bags, the label claimed they were “XL,” but the actual size of the bags was only 35 x 20 inches. This made them completely unsuitable for my garbage bins. The misleading labelling and incorrect size were frustrating and inconvenient. When purchasing products, accurate labelling and reliability are essential, and in this case, Sun Flower fell short. For these reasons, I don’t recommend Sunflower garbage bags and won’t be buying them again.

Wrap Up

My list of 12 consumer products not worth buying highlights common issues such as misleading labels, declining quality, and inflated prices in everyday items like food and household goods. Many of these products fail to provide the value or quality they promise, leaving consumers frustrated. To make better decisions, it’s important to compare brands and consider alternatives. Sometimes, paying slightly more for a trusted, higher-quality brand can save money in the long run because the product performs better or lasts longer. Misleading marketing tactics, such as labelling smaller products as “extra-large” or repackaging expired goods, should also be avoided to ensure you’re getting what you pay for. The key is to be more conscious of what we’re buying. Choosing reliable alternatives and being aware of these deceptive practices allows us to get the best value for our money while avoiding subpar products that don’t meet our expectations.

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