To think things aren't made like thy used to be...

[NameChangedForTheDay]

In the last four years, I've replaced the fridge freezer, vacuum (twice) and now the oven.

Fridge was 4yo, after replacing previous 5yo fridge freezer, the vacuum was 7yo and replacement lasted 6 months and the oven was just 4yo.

Nobody repairs stuff anymore and those that do quote, cost more than buying a new item.

In comparison, my hair straighteners went on 13y, the previous fridge freezer was 10, TV that packed up this year was 9, washing machine was 20 and vacuum 10y.

It's a scam isn't it? 👀

I think you're right.

Cheap parts that are difficult to get hold of, also means repair men/women are a thing of the past.

Much easier and cheaper to replace, sadly.

I know it's probably been said, but it's so unethical when it comes to not only the cheap labour, but the waste, I bet it's not all recycled.

Wasn't the vacuum under guarantee?

I've noticed my clothes are also shit. Last about 6 weeks before looking bobbled and misshapen.

Yes, @ilovesooty I took it back to Argos, no problem. It was a Vax, paid extra for a Shark for replacement. Which we love!!

When Fridge Freezer packed up. I did actually pursue a claim under the sale of goods act (wasn't simple!) and eventually got 2/3 of the value refunded, based on depreciation.

Yup. We have a rock-solid 22 yo car. I will cry actual tears when we finally retire it, they just don’t make them like that anymore.

@Squashpocket agree. Even in more expensive clothes.

I bought my DP a debobbler as one of his gifts for his birthday! It was practical, but a laugh. Well, it backfired, there's us in a hotel room in Barcelona, debobbling our clothes and loving emptying the little tank of fluff afterwards. 😂😂😂

Is it German or Japanese @EssentialHummus?

I personally swear by Nissan. The most reliable cars ever! (IMHO!)

Is not accidental, its called planned obsolescence, designed to make you spend more. Its very unethical, generates a ton of waste. I recently complained to ghd about this, they gave me some brush off answer about how much they care about the planet.

German. I truly love it, DH less . He thinks we should have something “better “ but I think he’ll be in for a nasty shock at cost/quality.

I don't have the budget for properly expensive clothes, but used to buy what I would have considered 'mid range high street' like warehouse or oasis. The quality is garbage now. I've given up and buy my clothes in Sainsbury's with the weekly shop. The bread lasts longer than my fucking jumpers.

@Intruiged I heard of that about Apple. I noticed when I was an iPhone use that 12-18 months into owning the phone it would slow down and the battery didn't last.

Oddly, my 13y hair straighteners were GHD, one if the early models. I ended up going to Cloud Nine as I heard GHD's products and reputation had nosedived.

@EssentialHummus knew it! When you know you're into a good thing, it's hard to try other brands.

@Squashpocket completely agree with you there. I never go high street shopping now. It's usually the exact same clothes, with different labels sewed in. I was a pair of jeans four times and they fade and shrink, yet I've jeans upstairs 25 years old.

Funnily enough, I was just saying to my DH the other day that years ago we used to have a man come round the houses, pushing a sort of trolley thing that had a stone wheel in the middle.

He used to sharpen knives, scissors, lawnmower blades on your doorstep.

Quite a common site when I was growing up during the 70s/80s but you don't ever see them now.

We also had regular visits from the TV repair man and most high streets had household appliance repair shops.

@WorraLiberty we had that man visit us too! Also, our neighbour fixed appliances for a living.

He was a much sought after man OP

My parents had 5 kids. The thought of having no TV to distract us from murdering each other was a very sobering one indeed

A relation of my dh fixes and supplies appliances for a living and he has rescued me on numerous occasions with things I think are too new to be giving bother.

Clothes are another pet hate of mine. No point in spending money when they all look shut after a wash

*shit

As a pp said it’s obsolescence. It’s not just Apple stuff, it’s on all sorts of things so we buy more stuff once it breaks.
There’s a huge written document between the companies involved over light bulbs and planned obsolescence.

I have a 15 year old fiat and I will cry when it dies. Never lets me down and has sailed through every mot other than normal tyres etc and my husband can fix most things as it is not all computerised like newer cars.

I had a zanussi washing machine that was 15 years old, my mother's old one made it to over 20. Mine gave up because I accidentally killed the poor thing - got one of those electric top up meters and it would cut the electric when the poor machine was mid cycle and it just fried the electrics after one too many power cuts.

Ive had my GHDs since 2006 and they are still great.

I have a lot of electrical appliances that even though they are not the most beautiful, Ive had for years and wont replace because they still work and I dont trust new ones not to give up! I was told by a handyman who was repairing my tumble dryer that white goods are now designed to die after a certain amount of time so you have to buy new ones. Which made me sad.

I have a Dualit toaster, 20 plus years old, got new elements for it last year. Was told that they weren’t the exact replacements, as the model was discontinued, but should work - they do!

Just bought a Dualit kettle ‘cos it has a replaceable element.

Furious about being talked into replacing my 10 year old Bosch freezer and dishwasher when I remodelled my kitchen, the replacements just don’t hack it.

I’m also counting on my Bamix stick blender seeing me out, after 3 cheaper models died on me - they had metal to plastic connectors, Bamix is the only metal to metal I could find. They have a great reputation.

I’m happy to buy expensive (after research) and I expect to mend rather than replace, fortunate to have DH who can do minor repairs.

The Hitachi microwave/combi grill my mum bought 27 years ago is still going strong. I have a 14 year old Babylis hairdryer still works as well as when I bought it and the flat I moved from earlier this year had an Indesit washer/dryer that was more than 12 years old by the time I left and never needed a repair.

However I’ve had a few German cars that didn’t last long due to duff electronics. I bought them at around 3 or 4 years old but the ones I had before lasted better. Wouldn’t consider another one.

Definitely agree with you OP.

I bought a flat/widescreen screen TV (but with a big back) years ago, for my 21st birthday. We watched that TV for well over 10 years with no issues before we decided to get a new one when HD and Sky +HD came on the scene. BIG mistake - 8 months in the screen suddenly went! Luckily for us it came with a 5 year warranty so it was taken in and the screen was replaced. Fair enough, these things can happen to any technology at any time and I was grateful that it was repaired at no cost to us etc. Almost a year later, the same thing happens again! It was replaced a second time only for it to happen again a third time! This time I requested a full refund and bought a different TV (with another 5 year warranty).

My FIL had a 2 year old American fridge freezer that developed an error - ridiculous that something so expensive couldn’t even last 2 years without going wrong!

I’ve also found it impossible to find someone who repairs appliances, which does then force you to buy new again, especially when it’s something you can’t do without, like a washing machine or fridge freezer.

@Squashpocket couldn’t agree more about clothes. I was saying to my husband the other day how quality has decreased so much. I buy from top end of high street (on basis buy once good quality), but honestly don’t see the point. I went through my wardrobe before I went on holiday and the number of things with holes in etc, broken zips (despite following washing guidelines).

I have a dress from Hobbs I bought 10 years ago which still looks fantastic even though I’ve worn regularly. You just can’t find good quality any more.

I was in Spain recently and was really shocked how expensive clothing was (even with terrible exchange rate) (think £30 for a Peppa Pig hoodie), but the quality was noticeable better.

I not sure if it’s just the U.K. but disposable, cheap fashion has just driven standards down.

I think the same applies to other goods. People want things now - so it’s better they are cheaper (even if they don’t last as long), because people won’t buy the more expensive option.