"Christopher Tidy" wrote in message
...
Ed Huntress wrote:
"Christopher Tidy" wrote in message
...

Hi folks,

I apologise if the title is a bit of a mouthful. But I've been thinking
about this issue for some time, and would like to seek the opinion of
people here. You frequently hear people complain about the quality of
modern products and say things like "They don't make them like they used
to". But it has occurred to me that maybe older products look good today
because only the good products have stood the test of time, and the poor
products have been thrown away years ago. What do people think? Were
products better in general back in the fifties, say, or were there a
mixture of good and bad? I'd be interested to hear people's opinions, as
I'm not old enough to remember myself.

Best wishes,

Chris


No problem. Some people here are so old that we can't remember, either.
g

It's a mixed bag. Cars are much better, and fishing reels are, too. But
wooden matches have gone to hell. Toasters today are complete crap
compared to the old ones.

Actually, good toasters are out there. I just bought one where all the
parts are individually replaceable and I'm really pleased with it. Here's
a pictu
http://www.mythic-beasts.com/~cdt22/...t_4ATW-131.jpg

It's a Rowlett Rutland "Regent" 4ATW-131. I got it at more than 50% off.
Not sure if they export to the USA, though.

What I think you'll find is that the quality of goods has risen or fallen
to match the consumers' expectations and desires, with a strong influence
coming from the fact that people don't really *want* things to last that
long anymore.

It's certainly the case that consumers are to blame to some degree. After
all, the market serves up what they want to buy.

It's interesting to try to establish a general trend. What do people
think? In general - that is, if we try to take some kind of average - do
people think that the quality of products is better or worse today?

I get the impression that some of the best products from the past are
unbeaten, and that some of the craftsmanship required to build these
products has been lost. But some people may disagree.

Best wishes,

Chris



NICE toaster!

In my part of the world (Australia), but I'm sure it is the same everywhere,
it seems economy of scale rules. The large companies outprice the smaller
companies, close them down and then when the competition is gone their
drivers are to push the quality (& cost price) as low as the market will
bear. Be it tools, hardware or materials that's what has happened here. That
reminds me I must take back that caulking gun that crapped itself the first
time I used it.....

We buy the crap so we are to blame I guess, nowadays we can pick up an air
compressor + half a dozen air tools for under AU$200, for limited use they
are fine so I guess there is an upside. Another down side is the guys who
sell it to you have absolutely no idea whatsoever what they are selling or
its application.