Disposable appliances

[ronhic]

Launderess....

...you are correct about the use of plastics and lighter weight materials to make products less expensive.

We saw a huge change here in the late 1970's where Malleys, Simpson, Hoover et.al. went from 'Maytag' (or close to it) quality and weight, to something close to aluminium foil and cling film. Simpson Delta anyone?

The balance of Australian designed machines (now made O/S!) being Simpson and Electrolux Top Loaders, do appear to have gained some strength and solidity back from what I have seen in the shops, but most of our friends have gone Front Load - there are incentives and we are on water restrictions.

When it comes to changing appliances, Australians don't tend to leave them behind. That would be the exception rather than the rule. Most would update if it is either too small a capacity (growing family), have been advised it is not economical to repair or are generally unhappy with the product.

Still, if we decided to spend the same money as our parents did, we would get better quality...Miele anyone?

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Ron,

I disagree about the Quality and weight of the Aussie made plastic machines. Most made up until the mid 90's would still last 10 - 15 years. They looked flimsy by comparison, but they were good designs that just kept going. They are very easy to service and there is little to go wrong with them. Hoover is prob the exception here, they rusted, went out of balance, but on the whole would still give 10 years service.

The first generation in the late 70's still had a proper gearbox, it wasnt until the mid 80's that the reverse to agitate motors happened.

They mightnt look as impressive, but there was certainly nothing wrong with them. They were a shining example of how you could cheapen a product but still get reasonable longevity out of it. Unlike the Korean and Chinese stuff available now.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Ron I have to agree strongly with what Nathan said. Especially for those 90's Simpsons. They may not look strong with those plastic lids but they sure washed and washed and I know several that lasted for 12 or more years.

They also has some wash drama for young washing machine enthusiasts as myself, and control panels that often had an array of buttons.

And as for Simpsons that often get thrown away, the most common fault is a solenoid that costs about $70 as a spare part. Gansky mentioned that about the Whirlpools. Too often someones washing machine stops working and they go and buy a replacement that afternoon without even checking to see what is wrong.

For me personally to see so many Simpsons being replaced by Samsungs and LG's because they are promoted heavily as the latest and greatest and that Simpson is old fashioned is the biggest shame ever. That is why all our machines are now made overseas.

 

[twinniefan]

Quality/premium brands?????????

Hi guys have to agree with you about quality in some ways however a few days ago my alleged premium brand dvd player,(Sony.),totally packed it in after just 15 months, 3 months outside warranty well a $99.00 dvd player is not worth getting repaired anyway,so I bought a new one last wednesday, a $55.00 Daewoo (Korean made.)and it seems to actually have better features than the Sony, so premium brands are not always the best choice.
Miele are of course the exception in washers, but really how many average families can afford to or even more so want to pay big dollars for a Miele?, I would suggest probably not too many.
I feel it comes back to this the average consumer wants Miele type quality but are only prepared to pay Samsung type prices.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[ronhic]

I should have said....

...perceived quality.

My comment wasn't to say that they didn't wash or indeed last, but more that they (80's machines in Oz) lacked the solidity of construction of their forebears. There is a big difference between perceived and actual quality be it in construction or performance.

I know that they can last. My cousin has my grandmothers Delta 10 (I think it is an 'S') and while she hates it for how rough she finds it, she hasn't complained about the fact it still goes and hasn't let her (or our grandmother when she had it) down.

I wasn't trying to deride the fact that many of the appliances worked and continue to do so, more that they lacked the the same perceived quality of what went before...

 

[dj-gabriele]

REPAIRED!

The tecnician came yesterday to repair the washer!

...he could have done better bringing a new machine!
Since the tub assembly couldn't be repaired of the bearings he brought a new one, plus new door boot, new motor (just in case) and of course transmission belt.
The only thing left original in the machine were the electronic programmer, the water solenoid and the pump... oh, and the water hose!
If it was to be made out of warranty to change the tub alone would have costed 285 euros, including work (1 and a half hour of work) plus the calling home of the repairman.

285 € for a washer paid 199€ !!! Go figure!