Fear of purchasing

[MarkMac]

I’ve been pretty fortunate with new stuff recently. In the last 4 years I’ve replaced every appliance, the AC, and the pipes in my house. Everything works now. Previously I always had newer homes, but just before covid I found a 40 year old brick home on acreage I just had to have.

My problem is finding skilled techs. It took 3 trips and 2 ceiling repairs to get the AC sorted. I did the ceiling repairs myself. I wish I could’ve installed the unit, but the warranty dictates “professionals” despite me taking HVAC courses in college. I do my own welding, plumbing, electrical, and car repair because the current generation of techs is horrible.

I feel like American manufacturing has turned into garbage, with unionized drones working stoned. I feel the Japanese manufacturing market is past it’s peak, and following the USA trajectory. China is booming, but wholly cost driven. I think S Korea is probably the top tier in manufacturing quality currently, and not yet peaked. The KIAs, Hyundais, and S Korean tractors are reliable and selling hot.

 

[Dftodd]

I've been thinking about buying another vehicle. I do have concerns about the newer engines. Hyped technologies today often become owner complaints and recalls tomorrow. I'm thinking about a new vehicle, so there would be some comfort with a warranty.

We bought a 2023 Hyundai SanteFe. It's a great car, but it takes it's self preservation a little too seriously.

It has all sorts of alarms and dummy lights

It will ding at you if you turn your turn signal on and someone is in that blind spot.

It will ding if you are approaching someone who is turning.

It brakes on its own accord.

Tells you to take a coffee break

And a whole slew of other things I can't think of at the moment

 

[scootr]

These days I lean towards slightly used cars and tractors. I look for the make and model I want used. I like to see a bunch with high hours or miles telling me they are durable. Then I find a low hour or miles unit and make my purchase.
And yes my last W/D set lasted 22 yrs and I gave it away still running. Wife insisted on something newer. Small price to pay for a happy home.

 

[BackRoad]

Just finished building and I was the GC.

I told each supplier; radiant heat, AC, appliances, wood burning fireplace, garage doors, windows, etc that reliability and performance was more important than cost.

I would not pay for gold plating, although I set the expectation of not wanting to replace an appliance or system for 20 years, so source and install high efficient, reliable equipment, even if it cost more.

I also researched their recommendations.

(...I indicated 20 years, as I suspect not much on this earth will matter to me after that...)

So far all have been flawless...except for the Electrolux dryer.

By the 2nd week, it started to intermittently screech like a banshee...9 dispatches across 6 months - the banshee may have finally been exorcized!

It's good to have a warranty!

 

[Williy]

For a washer or dryer IMHO you can't beat Speed Queen. You will find
then in laundry mats. The built their first washer in 1911. I purchased
a speed queed washer last year its not as quite as some of the other
machines, has a 5 year warranty. For a frig I would just purchase a 2
door plain one. The ice make is nothing but a problem some things
to check if you ice maker is not working:

• The water fill tubes are blocked.
• The water inlet valve is blocked or frozen.
• The water filter is dirty or clogged.
• The heating element in the ice machine isn't functioning.
• A pause command has accidentally been enabled.
• The thermostat is set too low.
• The control arm is out of position.

IMHO a seperate ice maker would probably last a lot longer with lwss
problems

willy

 

[mikester]

Does anyone else have a fear of purchasing things due to the fear of the item breaking shortly after purchasing it. Remember when washing machines lasted a generation?

Made in China

This is what you should be worried about buying

 

[redbear]

Does anyone else have a fear of purchasing things due to the fear of the item breaking shortly after purchasing it. Remember when washing machines lasted a generation?

Just the other day, my neighbor was asking me about my tractor because he was looking to buy one. My advice to him was to look at reviews on different forums and when he narrows it down to check out how hard it is to get parts. It seems no matter what brand or model that you buy, you will be repairing it a lot.

 

[tonys55]

I avoid China whenever and wherever I can. I try to support American manufacturing or at least American companies outsourcing to any country but China. Having said that, made in USA, or sold by a US company, does not guarantee quality...we all know this. I recently bought a flagship 12" sliding compound miter saw and stand from that yellow company. There were issues with the table and the upper fence of the saw. The stand had adjustable material supports with adjustable stops for repetitive cuts. Since the stops were attached to the support and the supports were not square to the fence, the stops were not square to the fence. Sure, I could reposition the saw in it's mount but the two supports were not parallel to each other, making it impossible to square things up to both supports. Took it back for a refund and bought a different brand. I'm not playing games anymore, sell me junk and I will return it and buy another brand. If you merely exchange it, they still have a customer.

 

[ultrarunner]

NOPE

I do my research and avoid brands/models that have poor performance or reliability. If I get 10 years out of major appliances that's a win, in the last three decades or so I've been winning.

You mean like still using moms 1967 Kenmore dryer that needed one belt under $5 since new or her 1968 Amana Freezer?

Still have great grandma’s Philco refrigerator in the garage dating from the 50’s.

 

[tradosaurus]

Just the other day, my neighbor was asking me about my tractor because he was looking to buy one. My advice to him was to look at reviews on different forums and when he narrows it down to check out how hard it is to get parts. It seems no matter what brand or model that you buy, you will be repairing it a lot.

Unless you get a dud tractor I don't think you would be "repairing it a lot".