Old vs New.

[jonesey2k]

Just thought I'd post this musing I had today...



The "compact" fluorescent light on the left was made in 1993 and has been stuck in the front porch ever since. It is massive, very heavy and takes about 5 minutes to warm up. It does, however, still work.
The one on the right was made last year. It doesn't work. It doesn't work because it was cheaply made in China with poor quality components and the electronic ballast finally burnt out after making a horrible sound for a few days.

In fact is everything we have now rubbish?
We recently completely redecorated our kitchen and had to replace the early 1980's fridge as it looked like, well, an early 1980's fridge. There was nothing wrong with it. The shiny new replacement lasted just 6 months before the compressor decided to eat itself.

My mate has a 1970's microwave that still performs as new. It has even been known to microwave *ahem* inappropriate items, usually with alcohol involved
My fancy high-tec all-bells-and-whistles model only lasted 2 years before the inverter driver board went up in smoke because, yep, you guessed it; cheaply made China rubbish.

All this advanced technology and sophisticated electronics means f*** all if you make them as cheap as possible out of the cheapest materials. Build something to last!

Rant over, sorry about that gents, hope I didn't disturb you...

[Tako_Kichi]

Nothing is built to last these days as it doesn't make financial sense to the manufacturers. It's all 'make something that will die a month after the warranty runs out and the schmucks will have to buy a new one then!'

Our stove is well over 20 years old and still going strong although the clock doesn't work it still cooks fine. The fridge is probably 15 years old, it was given to us used when the previous owner got a new one because he said ours kept leaking water all over the floor. The first thing I did when I got it home was to clear out a big blockage in the 'drain' pipe that is supposed to get rid of the condensate inside the fridge and it's never leaked since! Our microwave was a wedding gift to us so that will be 19 years old in December but I suspect it may be coming up to time to replace it as I am starting to suspect a radiation leak on it as the portable phone goes ape-shit if you walk through the kitchen while on a call and the 'nuker' is on at the same time!

[DaveB]

Agree 100% Mark. We're all being taken for suckers and there's nowt we can do about it

ATB
DaveB

[jonesey2k]

Lol, I've just googled that old bulb and found it's average lifespan is 8000 hours. I think it's done well doing dusk till dawn for the last 18 years...

[DaveB]

Well mate.. my PSU is a prime example. The one it replaced was donkies years old and got updated along with the updated bits in the PC. The only plus is that Corsair's carry a 5 year warranty.. it did cost me over £30 to send it to Holland but that is less than a new PSU. The shipping detail on the box has billed Corsair in Hong Kong and the unit itself proudly displays a Made in China sticker. I hope this one lasts longer than 2 years!

ATB
DaveB

[steelsporran]

I bought a stock of long-life bulbs a few years back and they do work. None of the older filament type have failed since.

[Airspeed]

By email, I berated the maker of a TV aerial wall plug, which broke while I was turning a screw to attach the wire. Why were they marketing rubbish that created pollution and used energy in manufacture, was then transported, tying up numerous people and wasting fuel, insurance, contributing to wear and tear on the roads, running the risk of sailors, dock workers and road users being injured or worse, plus a few other bits that I've now forgotten. All this to deliver something that was immediately sent to the tip.
Their written response was that "Professionals buy the xxx model", and that they "needed to provide cheaper alternatives".
I replied that I had asked for the xxx, which only broke because my client slammed a couch into it, but there were no xxx in the shop, only the cheap ones, so maybe their sales rep. wasn't doing his job, and anyway, that was no excuse for such low quality.
They must have all been taken seriously ill, as I've not heard back for months. Gee, maybe I should send a get well card?

[speedbird591]

The best protection against buying shoddy goods might be to join the charity (non-profit) organisation 'The Consumer's Association', which you may know better by the name of their monthly magazine, 'Which?'. Membership isn't expensive but gives you access to their thorough testing and long-term monitoring of consumer goods with an online database available to members.

Their many years of research and input from members allows them to publish brand reliability charts which show you which brands last and which don't. I've been a member for years and have probably saved thousands of pounds and avoided heartbreak and misery by buying only items in their recommended lists. They buy and test anonymously and over the years you can see which manufacturers are improving and which are slipping.

For a few more pounds you can subscribe to their legal service which gives you access to instant advice from consumer rights solicitors who will help you if anything does go wrong.

I won't buy anything without checking Which? online to see what they recommend or what they list as a 'Don't Buy'! I've never been disappointed with any of their 'best buys'.

EDIT: Just looked up energy saving light bulbs for you Jonesy. The Philips Genie scores 54% and is not a best buy. Top of the table is a Toledo at 81% but at the price of £37.52! A bit further down and you can find a compromise GE Electronic for £8 which scores 75% and has five stars for durability and lifetime performance.

Ian

[jonesey2k]

The next time I'm at the tip, I might see if I can nick one of those generic cheap front-load washing machines that get binned rather then repaired. Half the time the only thing wrong is the programs are knackered or the drive plate bearings are knackered.

I will then make it suffer by sticking 240v straight across the motor and then chuck in half a paving slab when it's up to full speed.

If that doesn't work then there is always the old roofers blowtorch that I have somewhere in the shed...

[DaveB]

Many of mine are GE. We bought shed loads when everyone started selling them for 50p or less to encourage 'energy saving'. One of the lads who works at the pub said he was going to Sainsbury's and would pick some up there if we wanted. OK then.. but don't go mad. He bought 50 Compared to conventional lamps, they last a whole pile longer. The pub sits on the end of a pwr run so spikes a bit plus, it's suffered years of cowboy electricians. We used to get through at least 2 lamps per day at one time.. often as many as 5!! Since we went to energy saving lamps, I think I've only changed half a dozen in total

Related though tenuously I admit.. while looking to see if I really do need a PRS licence, I found a site that is supposed to have all the answers. It's sponsored by Visit England and Visit Britain so I thought I was on to a good thing. However, after following the link.. I found only the minimum of info available (3 or 4 very short paragraphs.. sentences is you will). To find out more.. I had to subscribe! The cost was almost equal to paying for the bloody PRS licence!! Needless to say, I left in a huff without subscribing

ATB
DaveB