Thread Number: 22681
Disgusted with Chinese manufactured products |
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Post# 253424 , Reply# 2   10/21/2013 at 11:53 (3,811 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 253449 , Reply# 4   10/21/2013 at 16:07 (3,810 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)   |   | |
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What I've noticed is the price of China-made goods is much less expensive today, than US made goods were 20 years ago. This is the Wal-Mart ideology. Go to Youtube, and look up "people of Wal-Mart". These are the people who are Happy to buy China-junk. They Don't Care About Quality. They don't care about themselves either. I would love to see a chain of stores called "Made In America" and every product be an American-built product. I'd sure shop there. And I'll bet the person who starts the chain of stores becomes a millionaire many times over.
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Post# 253494 , Reply# 10   10/22/2013 at 04:38 (3,810 days old) by beko1987 (Stokenchurch, United Kingdom)   |   | |
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I only buy stuff cheap enough to bin if it breaks. Want a £20 warranty on your £15 toaster sir? No ta! |
Post# 253501 , Reply# 11   10/22/2013 at 06:52 (3,810 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
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It's the same in the UK. Brands like Hoover, Electrolux, Russell Hobbs and Hotpoint that were formerly reputable brands made in the UK are now churning out cheap, Chinese made junk.
In the UK, at least, your best bet is to buy European. Brands like Philips, Sebo, Miele, Bosch, Numatic and Dualit are still manufacturing products around Europe. Philips make excellent small appliances and have factories in The Netherlands and Poland. Dualit are, I believe, British made along with Numatic vacuums. Miele, Sebo and Bosch/Siemens manufacture in Germany (although Bosch also have a factor in Poland). Hoover used to get away with stamping all their products as "Made in the EU", but they weren't. All the parts were manufactured in China then shipped to Portugal or Scotland and assembled their. Sadly, it seems we are becoming a throw away society more and more. A friend of mine just replaced a 3 year old washing machine with a brand new one because it was cheaper and/or more convenient than getting the old one repaired. Ridiculous. When I was younger, my Mum would always just call the repair man when something broke. |
Post# 253519 , Reply# 13   10/22/2013 at 13:22 (3,809 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Sorry but it has little to do with the brand, and yet again what the "average consumer/owner" will do that machine in general in its life. You'll always get owners thinking they can cram every item of clothing in just because the machine they have claims to have a large 9kg capacity.
Also washing machines and dishwashers have had "doctored warranties" over the years with several companies just pasting a 5 year or 10 year "long" warranty on the motors and paltry general parts warranties for 2 years, or less. Companies can no longer pay out for design mistakes. BEKO washing machines are made in Turkey as far as I know and they're not low on reliability. |
Post# 253521 , Reply# 15   10/22/2013 at 14:20 (3,809 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Well I beg to differ - and whilst I speak from experience - not just as a consumer but as an owner. I have been through several premium brands and budget brands - it has little to do with the owner (i.e. ME) when they have taken care of the machines they buy and use. Those with a background of collecting vacuums and taking care of them usually treat other appliances with the same care and general usage, not abuse or general "average" owner usage who won't give a care in the world to the washing machine's usage, as long as it works.
The brands of machines you've mentioned are not premium brands - you can't compared chalk with cheese in the same light that I can never compare a Hoover bagged cylinder vacuum like the TeliosPlus with the Miele S2. The Miele S2 is better though it isn't a vacuum I particularly like - I have owned the Miele S2 as well as lots of Miele vacs as well as past Hoover models - the two are not the same. If you were to provide stats that show evidence of premium branded washers being unreliable, then I would be inclined to agree, that it is not always the fault of the owner/consumer. Furthermore Miele do have a factory in China….they produce appliances for the home market as well as screwdriver assembly where parts from Germany have been shipped to China. Does that necessarily tar Miele with the same brush? Lastly, my parents 8 year old LG washing machine has finally died a death this week. The cost of repairs required for this old and reliable workhorse are no longer available and after much research (and sold my Hotpoint to a friend in need who has a much bigger home and family to look after than I) I ended up buying another LG washing machine - not just because I like the brand but for the fact that I like the Direct Drive compared to conventional drive belt driven drums. The machine I have picked is no where near the stats and features of the Hotpoint I had and infact the LG offers far less variety of wash programs = that's premium for you. In turn, the general buyer won't normally "go" for brands like LG, Samsung and other higher priced brands because of several limiting features and higher cost prices. That's where Hoover and Electrolux's sub brands come in, offering consumers a far wider choice of programs and features - including BEKO who offer wide features at low cost prices. Sadly as yet no "budget brand" has been able to incorporate a direct drive to a washing machine - though I live in hope that one day, it may happen. This post was last edited 10/22/2013 at 14:39 |
Post# 253522 , Reply# 16   10/22/2013 at 14:28 (3,809 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Post# 253526 , Reply# 17   10/22/2013 at 15:22 (3,809 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
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Actually, that's not true. Machines like Hotpoint, Indesit and Beko end up on eBay because there is simply more of them about. They're the most popular brands in the UK and people sell them on for the same reason any other machine ends up on ebay - new kitchen, moving house, moving in with a partner/relative/house share, was left in a house by previous owners etc etc. The reason there are so many of them is because there are simply more of those machines sold.
Beko are proving themselves to be an excellent choice for the lower end of the market and certainly far more reliable than brands made in other countries. I'd go so far as to say Beko are a hell of a lot better than the current range of Zanussi's, which have always been a mid-high end brand. In my experience, in the current market, Hoover/Candy machines are the worst for reliability whilst Indesit are the worst for poor performance. |
Post# 253535 , Reply# 18   10/22/2013 at 16:08 (3,809 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)   |   | |
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Six years ago I bought a Maytag Bravos. Three spin bearings later (because I bought the five year extended warranty), and the spin bearing goes again. I used it until the motor wouldn't turn any more. I'm not sending $250 on a bearing MADE to fail. I bought an LG ($900) and the five year extended warranty. Let's hope this one lasts.
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Post# 253541 , Reply# 19   10/22/2013 at 18:32 (3,809 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Post# 253544 , Reply# 20   10/22/2013 at 18:54 (3,809 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 253556 , Reply# 23   10/22/2013 at 19:45 (3,809 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)   |   | |
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To stroll once more trough the isles of Montgomery Ward, Shoveling American-Made, quality goods into our carts, and never needing to replace an item again?
Let's see when that day comes. My little Standard Eureka upright, 1929, still going strong at 84 years, all I've ever done was a new carbon brush. only 1 wore out! Do you ever see a Kirby with a cracked housing? Perhaps a Electrolux with a toasted motor? No. Because it simply doesn't happen. Do you ever see your average Wal-Mart special Bissell with busted handle releases and rattling busted bits? Perhaps a Dirt-Devil that split in half? Yes, Of course you have! I know I have, that Dirt-Devil wasn't pretty anymore (Or pretty to begin with!).
@ MadAboutHoovers, I remember reading about workers at a Chinese Electrics Factory rioting, holding their bosses and other important business members hostage. They did it over some new rule of sorts, stating employees have a Bathroom Break of under 1-minute (I forget), and they're deducted severely in payment for being late. |
Post# 253560 , Reply# 24   10/22/2013 at 20:01 (3,809 days old) by beerad (Beautiful Vancouver BC)   |   | |
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Set of Maytags! |
Post# 253581 , Reply# 26   10/23/2013 at 05:50 (3,809 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Well I think its great that some people have vintage machines but judging by those massive top loaders from Maytag I doubt a lot in Europe or the UK in general could house such big beasts. I think a lot of Brits in the 1960s to 1990s were jealous of the U.S as everything was so much bigger. My parents adored their Hoover Twin tub machine but it took up too much space. Even a travel mug of coffee UK style is something you can hold, not the size of a bucket that you put in your car for constant refills.
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Post# 253584 , Reply# 27   10/23/2013 at 06:19 (3,809 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
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Even still, Ryan, twin tubs fit under a kitchen worktop and were also on wheels for easy storage when not in use. You really need a utility room if you have a toploader.
Even when toploaders were more popular in the UK, everyone I knew who had one had them in a garage, utility room or cellar/basement which most houses at the time didn't have. |
Post# 253609 , Reply# 28   10/23/2013 at 09:51 (3,809 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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True, Chris - but the other "appliance" that everyone had in the 1970s was the top load deep chest freezer, you can't have that under a worktop for obvious reasons. I always felt it was a pity that our 20 year old Electrolux freezer was left out in the garage because of the space it took up but the UK majorly benefitted from shops such as Farmfoods and other frozen freezer food shops when they came along. Everyone had to have a deep chest freezer to take advantage of the economy of freezing food as well as being able to freeze home made foods, which my late mother took full advantage of between her Kenwood Chef and the Electrolux deep chest freezer.
Now of course, the largest appliance that takes up space in UK homes are for families who adore the big American style double door fridge/freezer combination. I like the designs and I love the capacities, but I'm not sure I'd have one myself. So many people I know who have modern homes don't have doorways big enough to get the American style big units in the door - and end up, rather inconveniently being accommodated in the conservatory if homes have them, or the garage, yet again! |
Post# 253610 , Reply# 29   10/23/2013 at 10:16 (3,809 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 254607 , Reply# 30   10/30/2013 at 13:01 (3,801 days old) by paulg (my sweet home Chicago)   |   | |
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However there is a story...
Years ago I worked with a man who, sadly, had a war injury and a metal plate in his head. His behavior was erratic to say the least. He was the janitor and would damage many things. I found an old 1950's era Kirby in the basement, fixed it up and gave it to him to use. He had a habit of SLAMMING vacuum cleaners into walls repeatedly. He did bend the fan housing. In that case I did have the Kirby Company fix the unit. Tech said he had never seen it happen before. However, while the Kirby was being repaired I fixed up a 1970's era ORECK. Toy-like in appearance and weight as compared to the Kirby. However the man couldn't break it! Literally on the backstroke the unit was so light it would fly backwards and not touch the carpet. It was still working when I left. Regardless, I doubt any of today's vacuums could hold up to such abuse. He even broke the baseplate on a CLARKE! Kirby, Clarke, Oreck are all of fine quality but not invincible. the Chinese feel USA manufacturers over-engineer products to last TOO long. In such extreme cases one needs extreme quality. So... where is it now? ... And don't suggest we get rid of the janitor. He was a neighborhood charity case and ruining vacuum cleaners was better than being on the street! |
Post# 254859 , Reply# 31   11/1/2013 at 15:32 (3,799 days old) by luxman107 (USA )   |   | |
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Richard, I agree 100%. The good thing is it has fueled my passion for vintage items, especially small appliances mad in the USA |
Post# 255421 , Reply# 32   11/6/2013 at 18:53 (3,794 days old) by anthony (leeds uk)   |   | |
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to buy any new appliances i will keep my old ones going for as long as possible for exa\mple my lawn mower packed up this summer [20 year old flymo]i just went on ebay and got another for 6 pounds it was filthy and the blade was blunt i soon put that right a good clean and its fine .Also this year the pump went on my 17 year old hotpoint washer i bought a cheap pump of an indesit machjne and with a bit of doctoring i fitted that to the hotpoint its also working well i simply will not buy any of the rubbish thats on offer today .Only last week my daughter asked me to look at her week old steam iron when i asked what was wrong with it she said nothing dad but can you put a longer flex on it it only had 1 metre of cable fitted and a cheap plug need i go on
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Post# 257440 , Reply# 33   11/24/2013 at 01:03 (3,777 days old) by Jaker15 (Meridian, ID)   |   | |
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Post# 258408 , Reply# 34   12/3/2013 at 08:07 (3,768 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Well.. I took to tidying out my large spare room last night and discovered two things that are unselfishly made in China. One was bought two years ago and still works as good as new, the other is 10 years old and made in China - both are still made in China and they're not rubbish.
What are they? A 3 speed desk fan and a slow cooker. |
Post# 258443 , Reply# 36   12/3/2013 at 13:46 (3,767 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 258594 , Reply# 39   12/5/2013 at 06:53 (3,766 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Post# 258871 , Reply# 40   12/7/2013 at 21:01 (3,763 days old) by director12 ()   |   | |
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My old laundry appliances were GE. While made in America, the parts were from China. I now have an Electrolux and Bosch washer and dryer. After my GE units died, I decided to never buy GE ever again. |
Post# 258876 , Reply# 41   12/7/2013 at 21:55 (3,763 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
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Post# 258908 , Reply# 42   12/8/2013 at 09:40 (3,763 days old) by director12 ()   |   | |
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I would, but my father doesn't approve of owning vintage appliances. I mean, my 32-year old brother has vintage appliances in his ranch house up in Levitown, PA. |
Post# 258926 , Reply# 44   12/8/2013 at 11:46 (3,763 days old) by director12 ()   |   | |
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No, it doesn't. |
Post# 258973 , Reply# 46   12/8/2013 at 15:54 (3,762 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 259006 , Reply# 48   12/8/2013 at 17:00 (3,762 days old) by danemodsandy ()   |   | |
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And here's a really close shot of the Sensi-Temp controls: |
Post# 259324 , Reply# 50   12/12/2013 at 17:53 (3,758 days old) by director12 ()   |   | |
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Yeah, lets hope it works. |
Post# 261011 , Reply# 52   12/28/2013 at 06:17 (3,743 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)   |   | |
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Vacuum nails with your Kirby--how many fans have you gone through?Just wondering.I use the Shop Vac for nails.Save my Kirby for less demanding cleaning jobs that don't involve nails. |
Post# 261093 , Reply# 53   12/29/2013 at 07:27 (3,742 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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I really don't mind where the appliance is made - as long as it holds up and I've had a few Chinese made vacuums that have lasted for more than 5 years - of all the appliances I have had that have been made Chinese made that don't last have been hand mixers. They burn out too early if, like me you're a seasonal baker.
However, the biggest surprise is my Chinese made hand stick blender - it is made by a budget company and it is still working after being bought in 2002! I think it comes down to personal experience. I wouldn't dream of ever using a Kirby to vacuum up nails or hard grit. They're made to last but they're not made to be abused. I'm pretty sure the average American home that doesn't have loose nails embedded in all of the carpet! |
Post# 261172 , Reply# 54   12/30/2013 at 04:00 (3,741 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)   |   | |
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I hope folks don't have nails in their carpets-wouldn't want to walk around in there barefoot-you would need steel sole shoes! |
Post# 261270 , Reply# 55   12/30/2013 at 21:47 (3,740 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
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Post# 329878 , Reply# 56   7/22/2015 at 17:57 (3,171 days old) by moderneezer (Gatineau, Quebec, Canada)   |   | |
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If you people support quality in products and oppose downgrading, here's an article you might want to print. CLICK HERE TO GO TO moderneezer's LINK |
Post# 329884 , Reply# 57   7/22/2015 at 20:54 (3,171 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Post# 329915 , Reply# 61   7/23/2015 at 06:27 (3,171 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)   |   | |
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Yes,smoke emitting from factory smokestacks is--A GOOD SIGN!!!!MORE!!! |
Post# 329940 , Reply# 62   7/23/2015 at 13:04 (3,170 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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Unfortunately, shoddy quality is a common symptom of centrally planned economies because the primary measure of "productivity" is units produced. In that equation, quantity trumps quality.
That said, China is capable of producing high quality goods when that is what the client specifies. A classic example is the Minolta camera company. In the mid '80s, when they were turning their attention to autofocus 35mm SLR cameras, they shifted manufacturing of their manual focus 35mm SLR cameras to a factory in China that had for years been producing near-perfect knockoffs of their products under brand names like "Seagull". Under the watchful eye of Minolta engineers, this former bootleg camera manufacturer went legit, turning out products that were every bit as good as those previously made it Minolta's own factories in Japan and Malaysia. Ironically, the Chinese factory was permitted to continue producing its own line of "Seagull" branded cameras based on Minolta designs, which were sold in markets where Minolta did not compete. |
Post# 330089 , Reply# 63   7/25/2015 at 11:41 (3,169 days old) by moderneezer (Gatineau, Quebec, Canada)   |   | |
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Post# 330096 , Reply# 64   7/25/2015 at 13:08 (3,168 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 330123 , Reply# 65   7/25/2015 at 18:19 (3,168 days old) by moderneezer (Gatineau, Quebec, Canada)   |   | |
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Post# 331576 , Reply# 67   8/12/2015 at 18:01 (3,150 days old) by moderneezer (Gatineau, Quebec, Canada)   |   | |
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Post# 331611 , Reply# 68   8/13/2015 at 02:42 (3,150 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)   |   | |
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A video played after the one linked--showing cameras built in China are weighted with peices of lead to make you think they are heavy and high quality! |
Post# 331659 , Reply# 69   8/13/2015 at 18:04 (3,149 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Actually the video link on there show the handles have lead inside the plastic. It may suggest that cameras are heavier but in actual fact, lead used in cameras are put there to deflect magnetism. So its not always about fleecing the owner. Im not sure whether the owner of that video knows that, other than moan about the lead being inside the camera. Having weight to a camera ensures a better pic than a light one that can be moved too easily.
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Post# 331669 , Reply# 70   8/13/2015 at 21:12 (3,149 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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Post# 331689 , Reply# 72   8/14/2015 at 06:29 (3,149 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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Post# 331795 , Reply# 74   8/15/2015 at 21:03 (3,147 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)   |   | |
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And yet the American Jack La Lanne juicer which part of it was made in China by the Princess company is now going on its 20th year in our family. It gets used frequently. I believe there are parts available for it other than the recovery bin which is like gold dust. I wouldn't have any other juicer but the JLL design; so effective and so efficient. Shame they're so hard to find in the UK now.
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Post# 374923 , Reply# 75   7/5/2017 at 12:34 (2,458 days old) by william (Philadelphia)   |   | |
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No love for Speed Queen? Still made in Wisconsin and hands down the best in quality for washers and dryers! Not sure if they make dishwashers. Bill |
Post# 374965 , Reply# 76   7/6/2017 at 17:02 (2,456 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA)   |   | |
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Hey Bill,
The wife and I only recently discovered that Speed Queen makes residential washers and dryers. We're currently using an American made Amana washer that came with the house, but when it eventually does expire, we're planning on going Speed Queen. We got married in 2002, and we've had more than one conversation about how many things we received as wedding gifts were made in the U.S.A., even that recently, but no longer are. For example; all of the towels, washcloths, etc., as well as bedding were all American made. Try finding that now! There's a company called 1888 Mills, who does make towels and washcloths in America. They seem higher priced than the foreign made ones you find in the big stores, and harder to find, but to me, it's worth it. Barry |
Post# 374989 , Reply# 78   7/7/2017 at 15:16 (2,455 days old) by anthony (leeds uk)   |   | |
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iron packed up last week [since bought a new one ]so instead of chucking it i decided to take it apart and see what was wrong .After a little investigating and testing i found the fault .the element and the variable thermostat were ok the thing stopping it working was the totally pointless electronics in the handle that switches the iron off if its not been moved for a while .Simple fix bypassed the electronics put it back together and its working perfectly being switched on and off by the thermostat just like its vintage predecessors
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Post# 375020 , Reply# 80   7/8/2017 at 14:09 (2,454 days old) by Turbomaster1984 (Ripley, Derbyshire)   |   | |
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Whilst it might be a very personal preference I'd just like to point out that to some (myself included) such electronics can very much be a life saver. Having personally experienced the demise and death of someone suffering dementure it can be a close call between taking someone's independence away versus letting them carry on with their regular routine. Irons carry such safety devices for very good reason.
Appliances with auto shut offs are a boon for all in my opinion, they save so much heartache and misery in the long run. This part of the iron only failed and rendered the iron useless just as much as a faulty fuse or heating element would. Old appliances are not all as worthy as some like to make out, I've had too many vintage irons get far too hot due to faulty thermostats. Probably the very reason they were disposed of anyway. |
Post# 375069 , Reply# 81   7/9/2017 at 13:40 (2,453 days old) by anthony (leeds uk)   |   | |
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