White Goods Are Not As Good As They Used To Be

[weecalf]

The industry say White goods do not last as long as they used to. They mean washing machines ,fridge and other kitchen stuff . So why don't they put proper stuff in them then .

[woofgang]

I think that part of the answer is that the pace of improvement in these things is faster now. Consumers want the newest latest technology so they don't want stuff to last for years.

[Captain2]

If they don't last as long, then the public will have to replace them more often adding more money/profit into who's pocket?

[jno]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27253103

[weecalf]

When you buy an item you want it to last .ok starting out you may want a top of the range modern one but you need it to be good as well .So should they say this item is not as good as the one your parent bough but look its cheaper .

[ummmm]

I had to save up for my first washing machine because they were expensive. Nowadays it's almost as cheap to replace them as it is to get them repaired.

[jno]

that's the real tipping point, isn't it, ummmm - stuff gets so complicated and expensive to repair that it's easier to throw it away and get another one that's even more up to date.

[weecalf]

Why is the stuff put in them knowingly inferior parts and sold cheaper who gains ,not the buyer who has to replace them of pay to get them fixed.

[ummmm]

Yes. The repair on my washing machine was £150. The repairman advised me if it broke down again (it lasted another year) to buy a new one. I bought a new one and it needed repairing within 4 months!

[woofgang]

but if they are, in real terms, cheaper than the last forever kind, then what's the issue? Every time I have replaced an item of white goods, it has cost me less in real terms than the previous like for like model.

[pastafreak]

No one has said that "knowingly inferior parts" have been put in them. I doubt that's the case. Its more about the public always wanting something new and 'up to date'...they don't give products a chance to last.

[weecalf]

So a 1000 pound machine could be no better than a 250 one. Or do they have different priced and standard parts to put in them .

[pastafreak]

There will always be machines in different price ranges. This is to make them affordable for everyone. Some will always be better quality on that basis.

[hc4361]

People used to rent tvs and washing machines as they were so very expensive - and white goods really were unreliable even then.
On the whole you get what you pay for. Most of my white goods are Miele and I have had no problems with any of them.

[jno]

more expensive models might offer more functions or better after-sales service. Or (as with designer handbags) you might just be paying more for the name, which is up to you

[black_cat51]

when i was little (30 ahem years ago) my mummy's washing machine was always breaking down!

[mazie]

Our Kirby vacuum cleaner is 30 years old this year and still working as well as they day we got it

[weecalf]

Should never haver have replaced the top loading machine .Only want a washing machine to wash clothes not talk to me and know more than me .Dirty clothes bunged in somewhat cleaner when they come out that's all

[ummmm]

Washing machines seem to be the problem. All my other electrical items seem to have lasted.

[Daffy6543]

I've had my fridge freezer for 15 years, my washing machine for 9 years and my cooker for about 12. I think thats pretty good going.

[welshtanner]

My washing machine is twelve and a half years old. It stopped spinning last Sunday. The engineer came on Thursday and fixed it.