Better Quality Merchandise Back In The Day?

[jasonbigley]

Does anyone agree or disagree with this thread? To me, I think some things back when my grandparents were my age were made with better quality.

[tiredmike59]

That's a fact. There is no such thing as quality anymore.
Remember how thick and durable Levi's bluejeans were back in the 70s ?
It would take a couple of years for them to wear out, and that was usually on the knees when we would play football and stuff, or the cuffs at the bottom would get worn out from dragging on the ground (especially bell bottoms,flared or the bootcut type that was popular. Now a brand new pair feels so damn thin , you need to wear longjohns in the colder weather. The Levi's today wear out in just a few washes,usually where the back pockets are sewn on or where the crotch is joined. Sometimes I think they use those stitches that dissolve like the dentist uses. Cars,appliances,food, you name it,it is just not as good as it once was.

[born2late]

Back then most things were made in America. Better materials, and better quality. Now we get cheap junk from other countries that break in no time.

[Janice]

I agree. Off topic but along the same line is how food is shrinking. Just about everything we eat, from an Eggo, candy bars, popsicles to a can of coffee (used to be a pound, now it's 11 oz) is smaller. It's a sneaky price raise.

It's true that nothing lasts as long as it used to, from tvs and electronics to major appliances. It seems that everything is going in my home, things that should have lasted longer. I buy most of my husband's clothes at L.L.Beane. The quality is fantastic, and that's reflected in the prices. I always thought Bean's clothes were made in America, but I was wrong. A few are, but not many. Bean's clothes shouldn't cost so much since they're using cheap labor. Very disheartening. Just my two cents worth.

[Family Ties Forever!]

I agree. Things aren't made as well as they used to be. Whether it's clothing, applainces etc. One thing that surprised me was I bought a pair of pajamas at JcPenney last December with a gift card I had and surprisingly within one to two washes there was a small hole in the pajama shirt. The pajama pants are still ok. I still have the shirt, though I guess it's kind of silly seeing as how it has a small hole in it. The material is sooo thin.

My wireless mouse for the computer seems to go through batteries quickly. I don't know if batteries aren't made as well as they used to or if it's just how the wireless mouse is.

One thing that, imo, was made well is a small, black, travel size talking alarm clock. I have had it since high school (90's). I have only had to change the batteries in it once.

[Zoneboy]

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

My wireless mouse for the computer seems to go through batteries quickly. I don't know if batteries aren't made as well as they used to or if it's just how the wireless mouse is.

Rechargables should solve that problem.

[mystery_daisy]

Back when "consumers" were called customers most things lasted longer.
BTW I refuse to use the word "consumers".
Things break easier now. And spill easier. It's no accidents lids don't fit properly, it is designed to make the fluid spill so you will have to buy more. Never mind that your car interior is ruined with a big bleach stain.
I bought ice trays that i used 4 times before they broke.
Clothes are sh*t.
Cell phone service is getting worse, not better.
I could go on and on.
You just really have to be a smart shopper, but even then the the product changes on you once they reel you in. You can't count on corporations being fair. It's ridiculous.
For the person that mentioned levi's . A guy i worked with buys these jeans from a uniform catalogue like for car mechanic/industrial and such. He said they are of an excellent quality and last him forever and they are like $25.00. Just sayin'.

[MrCleveland]

Of Course!

I'll remember this until I die...In 1987 my parents bought a 1987 Zenith TV and it lasted for 7 years, then in 1994 we bought another Zenith TV...but it only lasted 3 1/2 years.

Yes...Electronics have now became disposable!

[Penny Lane]

My Mom has a working GE refrigerator from the early 50's. It's in the basement and still going strong! I have lived in my home since '74 and have had 4 refrigerators, 4 washers and 4 dryers. All conked out within 5-8 years and had to be replaced. Also I have been through numerous vacuum cleaners. The best one that we had was a Hoover upright from the 70's.That one really sucked! (literally!!) LOL I ended up giving it to my son and it's long gone but that baby was the best! Wish that I still had it! The last 2 vacuum's that we bought were junk. I guess you have to pay hundreds/thousands of dollars for a good appliance nowadays!I sincerely believe that manufacturer's build them to break down on purpose. So we HAVE to keep buying and upgrading.

[Penny Lane]

Originally Posted by Janice

I agree. Off topic but along the same line is how food is shrinking. Just about everything we eat, from an Eggo, candy bars, popsicles to a can of coffee (used to be a pound, now it's 11 oz) is smaller. It's a sneaky price raise.

It's true that nothing lasts as long as it used to, from tvs and electronics to major appliances. It seems that everything is going in my home, things that should have lasted longer. I buy most of my husband's clothes at L.L.Beane. The quality is fantastic, and that's reflected in the prices. I always thought Bean's clothes were made in America, but I was wrong. A few are, but not many. Bean's clothes shouldn't cost so much since they're using cheap labor. Very disheartening. Just my two cents worth.

Janice, have you noticed that cans of tuna have shrunk too? The cans are smaller but cost twice as much as they did a few years ago. I remember making up tuna salad sandwiches for my kid's lunches. I could get at least 4 sandwiches out of 1 can of tuna mixed with2 tbs of Miracle Whip. Now it only takes 1 tbs of MW and makes maybe 2 sandwiches.

[Rezny@gmail.com]

Couldn't agree more with Penny.big businesses make products that break down fast on purpose.even warrantys are alot shorter now.look also at the decline in customer service.call a company and you press 20 numbers to reach someone with a thick accent in india.companies used to go by the motto the customer is always right.that changed into the customer is always wrong

[Family Ties Forever!]

I noticed that cans of chicken noodle soup now cost $1.25. I remember when you could get two cans of chicken noodle soup for a $1.

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

My Mom has a working GE refrigerator from the early 50's. It's in the basement and still going strong!

That's incredible that it still works. Would your mother mind if you used it? If not, that would save you from having to keep buying refrigerators.

[Penny Lane]

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

I noticed that cans of chicken noodle soup now cost $1.25. I remember when you could get two cans of chicken noodle soup for a $1.



That's incredible that it still works. Would your mother mind if you used it? If not, that would save you from having to keep buying refrigerators.

LOL Well, it works great but it has very little space and no freezer except for a small compartment for ice cubes. She uses it to keep pop cold and for extra food during the holidays. Do you remember LaVerne and Shirley's refrigerator? It looks a lot like theirs to give you some idea.

[Coffeecup]

My mom bought a refrigerator in 1968 and it lasted til 1997. We got another but it just wasn't like the old one. We wanted a freezer on the bottom but couldn't find one with in our budget. After 13 years found a freezer on the bottom and it is so big.