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at Sun, 29 Aug 2004 13:58:17 GMT in
>,
(PENMART01) wrote :
>> Julia Altshuler writes:
>>
>>Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>>
>>> Much is junk, but a few good brands still exist. The consumer is as
>>> much
>>of
>>> a problem as the manufacturers. We like to buy cheap stuff and don't
>>> investigate quality. ...
>>But how does one go about investigating quality? ...
My recommendations:
Spend some time learning about the essential performance aspects of the
appliance. This means learning what construction techniques, materials,
etc. do the best job at achieving the central function the appliance is
meant to do. So, for instance, you'll want to investigate the manufacturing
process and filament properties of toaster elements, since these play a
large part in how well a toaster does the basic job of toasting bread.
Similarly, you'll want to know something about the construction of electric
motors and drill bits if you're looking at a power drill. Yes, this process
isn't easy and probably involves learning some technobabble, but it's one
of the most reliable ways of being able to discern quality because you'll
then be able to ask pointed and relevant questions of the manufacturer.
Read up back issues of industry publications and consumer-interest
publications relevant to the product you're trying to buy. General-purpose
consumer ratings magazines like Consumer Reports aren't particularly useful
because they're not specialists in the specific thing you're looking at.
Look both at the ads and at product reviews. Look for companies especially
in reviews that consistently do well, from year to year. Also look at ads
which contain any details on construction or performance, and look for
companies that have been around for a while and/or don't change models too
frequently.
Spend a lot of time at the stores looking over appliances and finding out
where the salient differences are. Ask questions (being aware that the
salesman is not always the best place to get answers to the more detailed
technical ones. Don't be afraid to shake things, listening for looseness or
rattling, push buttons, checking for good positive actuation and solid
feel, open doors, or whatever else lets you check for obvious shortcomings
in build. Suspect anything that looks or feels flimsy, awkward, gadgety, or
confusing.
The key point is that you can't expect buying even a small appliance to be
something that you can achieve by simply walking into a store blindly and
walk out 10 minutes later, new appliance in hand. If what I've described
sounds like too much effort, then understand that you're prioritising the
value of your time over the value of your appliance and use the appliance
you get gladly without complaining if it turns out to be unreliable or a
poor performer.
>
>There are still plenty of very well made products... shop for quality of
>Customer Service... who cares if a product malfunctions, not if customer
>service makes it right no questions asked, even if the customer
>obviously abused it...
It makes a *big* difference if a product malfunctions because even great
customer service can't make the toast you were planning on making tonight
for your important party if the toaster decides to malfunction at exactly
the wrong moment. Even worse, it can't replace your finger if the poorly-
designed food processor decides to turn on of its own free will just as you
were opening it up. However, product-safety issues aside, having an
appliance malfunction is always irritating and can't be fixed right away,
so you're always inconvenienced for a certain period of time no matter how
responsive customer service is.
--
Alex Rast
(remove d., .7, not, and .NOSPAM to reply)
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