What is the difference between cheap and expensive toilets etc?

neverdespairgirl

Thanks. I don't care about a fashionable loo, I want a decent one that lasts and works. What are the key things to look for? Types of materials, thickness, etc?

ukjoel

I thought the same as you and we got a cheap B&Q setup put in.

Wouldnt do it again - as mentioned above, hard to keep clean and have yet to find an angle from which i can fire one down the hole without hitting the sides.

Had a long discussion in a pub one night about this and on the next table was a plumber who reassured us there was nothing wrong with our extraction equipment but we had skimped on our choice of toilet.

Its like trying to get a table tennis ball in the goldfish tank at the funfair is how he described it.
Nice

diable

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Thanks. I don't care about a fashionable loo, I want a decent one that lasts and works. What are the key things to look for? Types of materials, thickness, etc?

Do want a hanging pan as this makes cleaning the bathroom easier and is not on the floor with the gross mastic cracking. Are you on a water meter as a dual flush unit may save money, do you want the cistern to be hidden?

Have a look here for some ideas https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3057402

confuseddad_2

Been thinking about this a lot. But cant make a decision as I havent got anything to go on.

diable

confuseddad wrote: »

I havent got anything to go on.

Must be painful :rotfl:

HelenDaveKids

We bought some cheap toilets a few years ago, the flush was poor and the seats moved after a bit and when tightened up they seemed to come loose really quickly (3 girls!) now we moved I was very interested to read this thread as also thinking yes definitely want better quality (bought renovation project) but can i get that without paying the earth?? Have seen some in a bath shop that doesn't look as expensive but better quality but its hard to know.

jc808

bobhawke wrote: »

I stayed in Japan overnight, the toilets there did everything; played music, released scent, couldn't skid mark them. I wish I had a japanese toilet.

Best MSE post ever. Especially the last bit.

chipmunk

Hintza wrote: »

You have ad no replies and I probably won't help much.

From a blokes perspective you want a bog of decent quality with a decent seat that is of reasonable seat width (some the seats are very narrow) and you want a seat that doesn't move.

We lived for 5 years with poor after market seats that all moved and eventually worked loose, generally just a pain.

I also wanted one that looked well planted to the floor and solid.

With the expensive ones you should get slightly better valves and less plastic parts.

From my other half's persepective any bog will do.

If I was looing for basic but reasonable quality I would be looking at ideal Standard or Armitage Shanks.

I went for this monster:-

Laufen LB3

:rotfl:..........Sorry:o

drbob

Buying bathrooms is a real minefield, just be aware there are many, many places selling cheap chinese imports at totally ludicrous mark ups. Shop around lots. I recommend never buying from a showroom. By all means go to them to get ideas, but then look go online for much better prices.

Example: Say you're looking for a new bath tap with a shower attachment (as I did recently)

We quite like the look of the Bristan Trinity Bath Shower Mixer, but £457 ?!? :eek: let's shop around.

A quick google shows it's available for £260, but I still think we can do better...

Look at some more websites, realise there are lots of brand names but most seem to be selling the same taps under different labels. Realise the price of the tap relates more to the marketing budget and how cheeky the seller is than anything to do with quality.

Find the same tap for £104 under the "House of Ultra" brand (list price £156).

Almost identical tap on ebay, £59.99.

Much better, but don't think you've got a true bargain. Looking at the wholesale website alibaba.com, realise they're probably being imported at a cost of $15-$45/unit. Even at the high end of that range £59.99 (£49.99 before VAT) is a 100% mark up (the bristan price is a 2000% mark up).

It's not just taps either - baths, sinks, shower screens, at wholesale they all cost a tiny fraction of the retail price presented to UK consumers.

Plumbers_Shop_Lee

Dr Bob, Your logic is fantastic but totally flawed. The difference in quality between home of ultra and bristan is huge certainly by no means the same product. As a retailer in this industry I spend a large portion of my working week speaking to clients who are after spares for some obscure imported tap or cistern because they have bought a 'bargain' off the net or from one of the big sheds. The massive advantage of using branded products is that you get continuity of product so when it does go wrong it can be put right with the minimum of hassle and cost to yourself. The beauty of being able to go into your local showroom is that you can feel the difference in quality, for example I know that the Bristan product would would weigh twice that of the ultra one because the brass content is far greater. Unfortunately the ability to do that come at a cost in so much as the electricity company refuse point blank to allow me to light and heat my showroom for free, the staff who are knowledgeable also refuse to work for nothing so that people can come in wander around and take advice before moaning that our price is too expensive and a 'similar' product is cheaper online. Yet oddly enough they always come to see me when the imported tap is faulty or doesn't work on their water system. Nothing personal just wanted to put some perspective on your post.

Regards