box stores lowering quality of life

[Rick in PA]

Picked up an Anco wiper blade at Pep Boys the other day for about $10. Later, I'm in Wal-Mart and thought I'd price compaire, wow Anco blade for only $5. Looks the same, but the packaging's different, hmmm. On closer inspection, the Wal-Mart Anco blade is mostly plastic, where the Pep Boys Anco blade is mostly metal.

Some time ago a coworker told me this one. They're shopping for windshield washer fluid at Wal Mart. End-of-isle display $.89, seems like a good buy. Wait a second, there's same brand windshield washer fluid down the isle for $1.89, what gives? On closer inspection, the $.89 washer fluid is only good down to 32F, the $1.89 fluid is good down to -20F.

Talking to another coworker who had a garage door installed by Home Depot. He gets to talking with the installer, seems they contract out the installation work to independent installers. The installer told him you actually get a better quality door when you have it installed (I guess the independent installer doesn't want to lose time screwing around with an inferior quality door). This matches my father-in-law's experience. He bought a garage door to install himself from Home Depot and had nothing but problems with it. I think he ended up using the tracks from the old door to get the new door to work.

Just some examples, you get the idea.

If you're in manufacturing, you try to build one product, that's where your economy of scale is. Is all the pressure the big box stores apply to reduce cost from their suppliers eroding the quality of standard products made? I guess the producs (quality wise)we remember are going to become low volume, premium price goodies.

 

[Gary Allan]

Sure. Are they really selling you great stuff at a great price ..or just cheaper stuff at a cheaper price. Most don't take the time to figure out the difference.

My son managed a Rent-A-Center. The part numbers were the same ..except for the suffix. xxxyyxzzz1235 with an A, B, or C after it. They sold/rented the "C" offerings (appliances).

 

[oilboy123]

Good to know info. Makes you wonder?????

 

[Turk]

I believe it.

Just look at my "Milk" thread on G&OT. Will never buy Milk at Wal-Mart again!

 

[StevieC]

I have been Walmart free for 5 years and I try not to shop in the Big-Box stores as much as possible, but it is getting very hard...

 

[doitmyself]

I think it's a general trend that is happening both at the professional supply houses as well as the big box stores.

A few forums I visit are frequented by professional trades people (plumbers,electricians)that swear that the Delta faucet (or whatever) you buy at Big Box is of lesser quality than they get at their suppliers ("same" model). Of Course, they have an agenda....they hate diy and feel ONLY trained, union trades people should be changing faucets.

So, I speculate if Gary's scenario really happens more than we know.

On the other hand, the quality of goods available at the trades suppliers is going down too. US made galvanized plumbing fittings almost have to be special ordered. Browning sheaves (pulleys) I just bought are now made in Mexico and they look just terrible compared to the old US ones. Grainger's Dayton motors (their signature product)are coming from China now. It frustrates me to no end.

It's ironic that the guy here that recently questioned if the Walmart Pennzoil might be a "dumbed down" formula was blasted off the forum.

 

[drewjp]

As a college student, I am sure I am in the minority, but I have been focusing on quality for the last 4 years or so moreso than price. I do a lot of research before buying anything really. I see many of my friends who put price as their first priority and they end up replacing that item much more frequently than me, whether it be digital cameras, computers, audio equipment, whatever.

I will gladly pay a little more to get better quality, and something that will surely last longer than the Chinese stuff.

It's true, though, you have to look at places other than the big box stores.

 

[Steve S]

I am not sure about the quality of life thing , but I will agree on the quality most products.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself

A few forums I visit are frequented by professional trades people (plumbers,electricians)that swear that the Delta faucet (or whatever) you buy at Big Box is of lesser quality than they get at their suppliers ("same" model).


That wouldn't suprise me. I recently bought a fairly nice kitchen faucet, somewhere in the $120 range, from H-D or Lowes. Not sure if it's Delta or American Standard, but either one should be decent. It's maybe six months old and leaks whenever you swivel it.

I find it very interesting that you are being shorted on something you can't immediately see (quality, value) for something you can easily see (price). It gives you the temporary illusion that your reduced standard of living, caused by cheating and skimming at the top of the economic echelon, is better than it really is.

 

[Kestas]

Being a connoisseur of antiques and old stuff, I often run across old machinery, whether it's appliances, tools, or whatnot. Just handling the old stuff for a while, you get the feel and impression of quality in the product. Lots of the new stuff today is junk. There are times I need something but won't buy it because I see that the quality is horrible.

Much as I love Christmas lights, I've stopped putting up Christmas lights outdoors because I got fed up with having half the light strings turn to junk after one season.

I refuse to buy new sewing machines. The old ones are incredibly better.

I've done a number of repairs and saved a lot on repair bills with my 26-year-old furnace that is still in great shape. I wouldn't be able to repair a new one.

I've worked in a lab where the equipment was 30-40 years old. While doing repairs, I could feel the quality of the machinery and they were a joy to work on. Now I get frustrated and hate the thought of having to repair new equipment.

When I buy electronics, the first thing I look at are the Consumer Report ratings for fewest repairs. My TV and VCR are still going strong after 18 and 20 years becuase of this. Features and other performance criteria pale if the unit decides to go buggy on you.

I can thank BITOG for educating me on Fram oil filters among quality issues of other products.

 

[Fester]

Ha Pylon wiper blades at Walmart $3.28 each, pure plastic. In Florida not a big deal, can't imagine these holding up to snow, I purchased some recently, and noticed the c-rappy materials.

 

[3Toyotas]

Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
Originally Posted By: doitmyself

A few forums I visit are frequented by professional trades people (plumbers,electricians)that swear that the Delta faucet (or whatever) you buy at Big Box is of lesser quality than they get at their suppliers ("same" model).


That wouldn't suprise me. I recently bought a fairly nice kitchen faucet, somewhere in the $120 range, from H-D or Lowes. Not sure if it's Delta or American Standard, but either one should be decent. It's maybe six months old and leaks whenever you swivel it.

I find it very interesting that you are being shorted on something you can't immediately see (quality, value) for something you can easily see (price). It gives you the temporary illusion that your reduced standard of living, caused by cheating and skimming at the top of the economic echelon, is better than it really is.


Same here on the [censored] faucets HD sales. Mine lasted about 6 mos before it started leaking also.
Went down to my local plumbing supply store and got one that's a lot nicer and of better quality.

Never buy faucets, water heaters, etc.. from big box stores. And remember, they contract out their installations as well and make money on their contractors. Trust me, you won't get a quality job done by these contractors most of the time.

 

[3Toyotas]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Being a connoisseur of antiques and old stuff, I often run across old machinery, whether it's appliances, tools, or whatnot. Just handling the old stuff for a while, you get the feel and impression of quality in the product. Lots of the new stuff today is junk. There are times I need something but won't buy it because I see that the quality is horrible.

Much as I love Christmas lights, I've stopped putting up Christmas lights outdoors because I got fed up with having half the light strings turn to junk after one season.

I refuse to buy new sewing machines. The old ones are incredibly better.

I've done a number of repairs and saved a lot on repair bills with my 26-year-old furnace that is still in great shape. I wouldn't be able to repair a new one.


Your 26 yr old furnace is not near as efficient as the new ones. I do agree with you on the quality of most of them. However, there are a few manufacturers that make quality units.
The biggest issue with most is the clamshell heat exchanger they still use. They CANNOT handle the heat and fail prematurely. I've personally replaced 3 yr.- 7 yr old furnaces with a better unit due to exchanger failures. Don't want to mention any carrier or lennox names, but they are the worst. Just my experience, and i am a small fish in a big pond.

If you ever replace your furnace, stick with Amana, Goodman, York, or maytag. These are the few makers that use a tubular style heat exchanger that will more than likely never fail. Amana guarantees it will never fail for a lifetime, or they will give you a whole new furnace. Plus, they come with a 10 yr all parts warranty.
NOt trying to sell you on anything. Just simply buyer beware.

I do agree big box stores quality is horrible on most stuff.

 

[JHZR2]

bix box stores sell junk... I think we know this... and the stuff that is not junk is not necessarily priced better than elsewhere.

What gets me is when the full-service (price) stores sell "quality" stuff, price it so and it is still made in china.

There may be $20 more quality in the item, but making it in china saves $15 in labor...

It is the worst with clothes... Name-brand stuff that is super $, made in china. I assume it goes as pure profit...

 

[Shannow]

Oz is feeling it this summer.

It's not been the hottest that we've had, but we've had a few days that are scorchers.

Record demand on electricity in my state a couple fo times this summer.

Biggest culprit is the cheap split system air-cons (con being the word) that are being peddled at every second store these days.

Local fridge mechanic was explaining that the COP are stupidly low, and the extreme end performance is non-existent. Don't work in the cold due to low COP, and in the heat, cut out on over pressure.

Costing owners $10s/day to run.

But they are cheap, and made cheap.

 

[AcuraTech]

These days all people want is the lowest price. Then they wonder why it works worth a junk. Wal-Mart mentality.

No worries, if the economy continues to crash it will become impractical to import things from long distances. I see a resurgence in local farms and local manufacturing in the next 20 years. People will be looking for long lasting value as opposed to "everyday low prices".

 

[Shannow]

Acuratech, I long for the days when Australian Lettuce aren't exported to Paris.

It's ridiculous that an item with no calorific value is flown overseas so that somebody can have a salad.

But on top of that, the western food production system uses 5 times as many calories in energy as what makes it to the table.

With balances like that, there's lots of junk is going to cross lots of oceans before we all pull our heads in.

 

[andyd]

I had to buy a new thermal cut off switch for the furnace the other day. I expected the replacement to at least be Hecho in Mexico. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was made in Massachusetts.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: andyd
I had to buy a new thermal cut off switch for the furnace the other day. I expected the replacement to at least be Hecho in Mexico. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was made in Massachusetts.


Speaking of pleasant surprises, I recently purchased a Wahl "Peanut" hair trimmer, so I can do my own haircuts (buzz-cut). I figured it would be made in China, but it was prominently displayed on the trimmer and the packaging "Made in USA". That made me happy.

 

[Amkeer]

It should be of no surprise that we live in a "disposable society". Everyone wants it perfect, cheap, and now. That formula does not work.