In regards to how long expensive products should last

[ChadCMulligan]

Seventeen years ago I bought, to much complaining, a Brabantia bin for an extortionate amount of money (£170). I was never terribly impressed with it and it ended up with a few dents relatively early on just from normal use. Now the catch on it has failed completely and I'm going to have to print a new part and fix it.

Our Bosch dishwasher failed beyond my ability to keep it running (I'd repaired it a few times over the last three years) at eleven years.

Our Bosch washing machine needed the door catch fixing after only six years.

Despite using filtered water I've had to dismantle our Krupps coffee machine twice in two years to fix the cleaning mechanism.

The Miele vacuum cleaner cable return system is practically dead after only five years and will need repairing.

The Samsung microwave after eight years has dropped from 800W to what seems to vary between 300-600W making you never quite sure how long to microwave something for.

I'm irritated because many of these devices are relatively simple and I remember the same vacuum cleaner being used by my parents for my entire childhood plus a decade. My grandparents were using an electric kettle they received as a wedding present when they died, etc.

I'm lucky in the fact that I can fix a lot of these things but it's getting a bit silly now

They’re not expensive but lightbulbs fascinate me - we moved into this house four years ago and I haven’t changed a single lightbulb in all that time, not one.

My zanussi washing machine is 14 years old and still going strong.

I agree it's silly and greedy and grasping.

This is gonna sound really petty but I've got a file now, divided into the 12 months of the year and I put every single receipt in it. If something doesn't last a year (I mean like knickers or socks) then I've started taking them back for a refund. I'm bloody fed up with it. Obviously bigger things should last longer.

I had a handbag 10 yeRS and the strap bust, took it straight back to m and s and they replaced it.

YANBU, OP. The best vacuum cleaner I ever owned was an ancient canister model left behind by the previous owners when I bought my first house in the late1990s. We left it in America when we came to the UK.

That house also had a brilliant 1950s dishwasher. Hobart, generally a’professional’ brand. A bit noisy but it worked very well and nothing ever went wrong. The original oven was nearly as good, although rather basic compared to my current fancy Neff. But that Neff is now seven years old and in need of its third expensive repair, all to do with keeping a reasonably accurate temperature. I preferred the old one.

Our previous mid range dishwasher lasted only six years. The repair was going to be so expensive we just replaced it. With a Miele, because everyone loves them. It’s ….fine. I don’t get the excitement.

And when did all tumble dryers start using sensors? I miss being able to set a timer. The dryer always turns off while the clothes are still damp.

How grouchy I am! You touched a nerve, OP, because you are so right.

I was kind of with you until you mentioned Samsung as being in the same bracket as good brands ;)

My Bosch washing machine went wrong within two months and took another two months for it to be repaired. The prized goes to the ruinously expensive handbag from Hobbs, the strap of which developed a fault within two years.

I'm clinging on to my 10 year old computer, because as far as I can see, nothing is built to last now. It can't do a few things but as long as it can do most things, it's fine.

it seems an absolute norm for things to break or fall victim to planned obsolescence. I find it infuriating and now just buy cheap.

@GatesOfBabylon It's our sole Samsung product and I thought a basic microwave should be within their capabilities. I wouldn't buy them with someone lses money.

@poetryandwine Exactly. It just needs a simple mechanical timer. Again with ovens, I use three modes. Fan assist, conventional and grill. Never felt the need to use any other mode.

I'm honestly in awe of how long your things have lasted! I'm on my 3rd sensor bin, never had a microwave last longer than 2 years and have had 3 washing machines in 6 years.

I am pleased to report however that my GHD straighteners lasted 17 years!

@merderforlife I am quite strict about maintenance for devices where possible. Washing machines, dishwashers etc. are regularly cleaned and descaled. I dismantle the vacuum cleaner on a regular basis and clean it with an air compressor and put new filters in.

I've just had a major bit of plumbing work done and we're now going to have filtered & softened water to the whole house which should extend tap life (especially cartridge valves) albeit at the expense of having to put in a RO filter for drinking water in the kitchen.

The bin wasn't a sensor bin, it was just a soft close bin.