Cheap and nasty...a poll

[Cecile]

As we move through this renovation, I am becoming more and more disillusioned by the quality of stuff available. I have to admit, I'm sick and tired of "discount" this and "cheap" that. Even when buying high-priced things, I am finding the quality is, at times, questionable. And when you choose high-quality, the price is often so far inflated that it's unobtanium.

The tapware in the new bathroom is an example. They were not cheap, they were from a plumbing specialist and not the big green shed. Six months down the track the bath mixer/diverter is already leaking when diverting to the bath, which means to me that the ceramic washer may have failed. And the sink mixer, same brand, is rubbing when it's turned. A trip back to the supplier is needed of course.

I admit to liking IKEA things, especially bathroom/kitchen accessories because they ARE inexpensive, but as a rule they are stainless steel, sturdy, and well-designed. And furniture...so many places that are selling what is simply junque that I would not have in my house.

We're spending many thousands to make our house more liveable and sustainable. It's not a luxury house by any means, but we would like it to be serviceable, and to last as long as we live here, and beyond.

So, a poll I guess.

1. Do you buy the cheapest possible to get the "look" you want
2. Do you wait until you can buy the best quality available

[amiaow]

Needs another option- buy the best quality that you an afford for the finish you are trying to achieve!

I live in & am renovating a house built in 1950. There is no point buying top-of-the-line anything for this place because it will never be a super luxurious schmiko modern house. So I buy good quality things that will last the test of time, look nice but don't come with an expensive brand name. I do everything except plumbing & electrical myself.

I've also had the same problem with an expensive mixer tap (just out of warranty too) and ended up swapping it for a $99 Bunnings version with a 5-year warranty. Much happier!

[Cecile]

Needs another option- buy the best quality that you an afford for the finish you are trying to achieve!

I live in & am renovating a house built in 1950. There is no point buying top-of-the-line anything for this place because it will never be a super luxurious schmiko modern house. So I buy good quality things that will last the test of time, look nice but don't come with an expensive brand name. I do everything except plumbing & electrical myself.

I've also had the same problem with an expensive mixer tap (just out of warranty too) and ended up swapping it for a $99 Bunnings version with a 5-year warranty. Much happier!

I can't figure out how to change the poll. We're in the same position as you, 1950s ex-housing commission weatherbord and agree with you completely.

[Oldsaltoz]

I only purchase cheaper (throw away) items because they get covered in all sorts of resins and coatings that can be very difficult to remove even with Acetone.
I go though about 4 or 5 200 mm scrapers a week, under $3 each at Supercheap Auto and even more expensive at Bunnies.

Every now and than I have to clean my drill mixers (2) and angle grinders (5) with my Dremel and a flap wheel sander.

I also use a lot (100 pairs) of Latex gloves every week, just cant get then to fit the grinders and drill mixers.

Good luck. :)

[Batpig]

Dear Cecile,

Where you touch on the theme of "Does price accurately reflect quality?", you can rest quite assured that it categorically doesn't always. With your tapware-example for, uhm, example, you've got to beware to a fair degree of "exclusive" ranges that can only be found through particular chains. Sometimes these might be made by a reputable company - Australian or otherwise - whilst at other times they might be getting bought straight out of China by the Shipping-Container-load, with only a custom-made Button or Button-sticker needing to be added to turn it into an "exclusive" product. Problem is - since they're "exclusive", how can the broader marketplace eventually determine the true worth or reputation of the brand, and then adjust the asking-price accordingly?

The fact that tapware is chosen mostly on style, and then price, complicates the problem further; for if an exclusive-range tap has an exclusive design that you can't resist but can't find anywhere else in a name-brand, how do you know that you're not shelling-out for a very good looking lemon...:-

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

[shauck]

I'm definitely a buyer of top of the middle range in most things (tools, electrical, white goods, etc). I've never been wealthy enough to pay for the most expensive and I think it's madness to buy a new car for example. I always get a car that's about 10 years old and about 9-10 thousand dollars (Hilux Ute). I like my money to stretch a long way. When choosing materials for house sometimes it's the best (hardwood archs and skirts, travertine tiles for fireplace, glass splashback in kitchen, etc). I usually shop around for best prices/service as well which can help make a top end product more affordable. Hate cheap and nasty stuff that falls apart after a year (IKEA bookshelf) if you move it.

[wozzzzza]

depends on what we are talking about, this poll doesnt make sense to me.
if i use something a lot like a certain tool i will buy a good decent one, if there is a tool i use rarely i will buy a cheapy like ozito one, if there is one i use moderately i will get a half decent one, if i was renovating my own decent house i was going to live in for a long time i would get good quality stuff, if i was renovating a rental i would just get cheapest stuff.
so all up it depends on the situation for me.

[Habitat]

Hi Cecile.
In my renovations I tend to buy as good quality items that I can get that fall within my budget. I think you have to spend money on tapwear, floorboards, hinges on doors and anything that gets used a lot. Open and close, push and pull. I would never ever spend heaps on basins, sinks or tiles. Most of the time you can get clone products that look like the high end italian stuff but with the Chinese made price tag.
Just my two cents.
How's the Reno coming along?

[Black Cat]

Needs another option- buy the best quality that you an afford for the finish you are trying to achieve!



Agree, And then there is buy the cheapest available if you don't need it to last the distance (I apply this with tools where safety is not compromised).

But there are parts of the house that had to be done, and now, like the kitchen, so have Bunnings flatpax, that will doubtless get replaced after I have the rest of the house ship shape (may be a while...)

[SlowMick]

We are renovating a small 60's brink veneer in an area where almost all the old house are demolished when sold for a brand new monster house or 3 - 4 units. It is unlikley that anyone will live in the house after we are finished with it (in 20+ years).

With that in mind we buy the cheapest thing that will produce the look and function. most of the stuff is end of run, old models, ebay and bargain centres. My wife hates the pile of catalogues i have in a box next to the couch for reference.

My main goal when I buy something or build soemthing is that I don't want to have to do it again in the time we are here.

Not looking forward to doing th kitchen. still recovering from the bathroom.

[Cecile]

"brink" veneer

The devil in me :devilred: wants to know if it's on the brink of falling down?

:pointlaugh:

Sorry, I'm just being a brat :rofl:

[SlowMick]

No worries Cecile – I have the terrible combination of poor spelling and worse typing. My grammar aint great either.

Depending on how close you look at the house it might look like it’s on the brink. Wifey didn’t like the breezes that came from the missing plaster in the dining room and so covered them with black plastic. As there were no curtains she covered the window as well. Now it looks like we are urban agriculturalists.
:U