Spend more and save money?

deepoo

There is an old adage "If you spend more on something it will be cheaper in the long run". But in today's consumer society does that still hold true?

The cheap vacuum cleaner, fridge, microwave, washing machine, TV, video and sofa that I bought in 1995 when I moved into my flat are still going strong. Evidence that cheap really does last.

But this is an age when things are replaced because they are superceeded by the next gadget which is cooler, faster & more stylish.

Do you have any examples where it is "cheaper" to spend more, or is it cheaper to be cheap and accept that the odd thing packs up just after the guarantee runs out?

Minden62

I bought a T*sco Value kettle 6 years ago for £1.99. Still going strong.....

deepoo

Minden, some people spend more on a cup of coffee

DizzyDizzy

In 1998 we bought a Bosch washing machine that is still going strong. Not sure how much we paid for it but I know it's an expensive brand. Although if it packed up now, I'm not sure I could afford another Bosch one, and would probably have to go cheaper.

Dishwashers:mad: I have had cheap dishwashers, and I have had an expensive one (Miele) and I have to say I have found them all to be unreliable. Now we wash up by hand :rotfl:

smartiedriver_2

We bought a vax vacuum cleaner about 5 years ago for £40. It was heavy, difficult to push, and stopped picking up after about 14 months (typical).

We then bought a different vax (I was reluctant but OH convinced me) for £100. This is so much lighter, pushes easier and it actually picks up.

In this case the cheap one was a waste of time - and the 'new' is still as good as day one.

That said, I use a tesco value toaster and iron and am supremely happy with both!

deepoo

Hi Dizzy, I own a pair of "Dishwasher Mark 1's" as well. They didn't cost me a penny, they have never gone wrong and I hope to get many more years service out of them.

theladsmum

DizzyDizzy wrote: »

In 1998 we bought a Bosch washing machine that is still going strong. Not sure how much we paid for it but I know it's an expensive brand. Although if it packed up now, I'm not sure I could afford another Bosch one, and would probably have to go cheaper.

Dishwashers:mad: I have had cheap dishwashers, and I have had an expensive one (Miele) and I have to say I have found them all to be unreliable. Now we wash up by hand :rotfl:

Our first dishwasher lasted 11 years, and was the cheapest available at the time. Replaced with another cheapy, 3 years on no problems.

Bought the cheapest fridge-freezer available in 1994 for first house, and it's still going strong now.

deepoo

I just looked at a big online retailer and seen vacuum cleaners at over £300!!! At that price you could buy a cheap one and pay someone else to push it around.

sweetilemon

I think it depends on the item and how regularly you use it. When i moved into my first flat i generally spent as little as possible on everything. It soon became clear the stuff that was rubbish i.e. my woolworths iron which blew out white powder?! and the bin which fell apart. But things like my potato peeler, which looks pathetic is great! My boss used to say "buy cheap, pay dear". I think expensive everyday items like pots, pans, knifes, dyson etc are worth that little bit more for quality and generally have a much longer guarentee. Other things like phones, computers ect just go quickly out of date and were only expensive due to advertising and hype. Not worth the expence imho.

deepoo

I bought 2 sets of cheap cutlery @ £6 each set of 16 - with plastic handles five years ago. They keep breaking and now we only just have a set of 4 places. OH wanted "nice" cutlery so we bought 6 knife/fork/spoon at about £10 per item (gulp) and they are made in England from good steel. They look lovely, feel lovely and will never break. They will easily out last us and OH is very happy (money well spent), but the food doesn't taste better because of it and a life time of cheap ones would still be cheaper (and keep the Chinese economy growing).

immoral_angeluk

After years of old cars which cost me a literal fortune in maintenance and repairs. Things were always going wrong with them.

In the end I bought an 08 corsa in the hope that my bank account would be able to recover!

So far so good...