To think the quality of everything has gone down so much in the last few years

[Coolbreezee]

I'm trying to figure out what the reason is.
It is because I am now relatively poor? Things that are decent quality just seem to be ridiculously expensive. I bought some Christmas tree decorations on Saturday and it took me a while to find a reindeer that didn't look completely deformed. I bought a felt advent calendar to recycle every year. I'm happy with it but still can't help notice how thin the material is. Things printed on rather than sewn. I'm not stuck up (really I'm not). I've always taken good care of my things and they last me for years (or forever) but even being careful I'm finding things break so quickly just from normal use. I dont want to buy a calendar every couple of years. I would like to buy one that lasts until my DD is grown up (without spending £50). I think the chocolate Fredos exemplify how much the UK has deteriorated...

Am I being unreasonable. I've just used Christmas stuff as an example, but really it's everything..

I know “enshittification” originally referred to online services, but god does it relate to everything else too. I bought some Fat Face socks the other week, because they’ve always been great quality as well as daft and cute. They feel about half as thick as an old pair I still have. It made me think about a Fat Face hoodie I bought when I was about 12 that lasted me 18 years and I still donated it because it was in perfect condition, you’re lucky to get a year out of stuff now!

Electronics are a whole other thing. Customer service! TV writing. Journalism. Every single public service. Transport!!!

I have gadgets and furniture and all sorts that belonged to my grandparents, and even their parents. No one will be using something I bought in Argos in 130 years time, that’s for sure.

Totally agree! I see it with board games. My 1970’s Connect 4 could have withstood an earthquake but the new ones are so flimsy the counters randomly fall out!

With decorations I just buy a couple of things a year, Some things I made or the kids made when they were little. There are a few bits that were on the tree when I was little. There are three decorations that were on my grandmother's tree when my DM was little, and she's 85 now.

Like them iPhones you mean?

I've just found lovely brushed cotton mens PJ bottoms in Tesco. Proper drawstring and good pockets too, needless to say I stocked up. They wash and dry well.

Agreed!! Including the quality of mobile phones and all the shit that's on them these days.

SHIT!

I picked up a 70s Connect 4 in a charity shop, the counters feel lovely and nest together nicely. It has lasted through all of my kids.

Hasn't this been the case since the 90s. Or are you saying that the world have got richer, increasing costs

I have this conversation with myself every day. DH and have comparatively high salaries compared to some but we were able to buy much nicer higher quality items in our 20s (in 40s now) things of the same quality now are either unaffordable or don't exist. It's depressing.

YANbeingU at all.

I have started fighting back.

I now have a small container in the hall by the front door and I put every single receipt I get into that.

Everything that is sub-standard goes straight back to the shop for a refund. Sorry but a £3.50 gas lighter clicker should last a year not a month. All non food items should last a year. I've started taking every single thing back - I'm not paying for crap any more. Don't sell me knickers that part from the waistband at the first wash coz this bitch aint taking it no more!