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AIBU?

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AIBU to think decent quality household goods are hard to find?

29 replies

Numbchill · 22/06/2026 06:34

I moved house recently, needed little bits and bobs, soap dish, some cushions, garden hose, other things. I live rurally so buy online. Almost everything I ordered has arrived and it’s cheap tat. I’m so sick of it. I spend a little or I spend a lot and it makes no difference. Low quality tat is what I receive. What can I do to try to get a quality product these days? I even bought an Apple iphone case for my sister from John Lewis the other day and that was tat too - for £50! It’s already falling apart, but according to JL that’s fine because it’s protecting the phone by doing that (?), so even JL customer service is terrible too.

What lengths do we have to go to to get good quality goods these days? Does anyone have any tips?

OP posts:
Watercooler · 22/06/2026 06:43

You have to buy stuff that isn't made in China which is impossible. Soap dish I suppose you could comission a lclocal pottery person and pay £500 😁 cushions you could go to the WI and task an army of embroiderers to make some.

No idea about a hose.

ToffeeCrabApple · 22/06/2026 06:41

For phone cases I buy Otterbox brand & they are good

ToffeeCrabApple · 22/06/2026 06:40

People have spent the last 20 years buying crap from China and not realising how expensive well made products have become. massive inflation has made it worse, labour cost inflation particularly - you have to spend so much.

We are all worse off too.

I think you would do better to made a day of it and go to somewhere in person to browse.

RampantIvy · 22/06/2026 06:37

Who are you buying from?
I tend to buy from Lakeland and Dunelm for good quality household stuff.

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