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

snip

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

Umm....look sturdy, Boris. Not like those weak and effeminate appliances
made by the degenerate capitalist imperialists...


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.

It looks like something made in a country we're boycotting. But I'll bet it
would stand up in a hurricane.


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