I have a Sunbeam waffle/sandwich grill my mother used when I was a
child, I made waffles for my children and later my grandchildren. It
still works. I have a westinghouse toaster and a Sunbeam mixer---both
bought in late 50s---still work. I have a Rival crockpot and an
Osterzer blender that processes even the hardest raw vegetables bought
during the 70s, Both work as good as the day I bought them.
My appliances are not fancy designer pieces but they are dependable.
My grown children are buying these appliances today and they break down
in no time at all. Is there any quality brands being made today or is
everything overpriced junk? Anne

"Anne Duhon" > wrote in message

>I have a Sunbeam waffle/sandwich grill my mother used when I was a
> child, I made waffles for my children and later my grandchildren. It
> still works.

Our is about 38 y ears old. We still like it.


> Is there any quality brands being made today or is
> everything overpriced junk? Anne
>

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. You can buy a toaster as cheap as $7.50 in K Mart. How
long does it take you to earn $7.50? How long did it take you to earn
enough to buy that reliable toasted 30 years ago? Two weeks ago I paid $40
for a toaster. Won't really know how good it is for a few years.

Where I work, we use plain old household irons (must be Teflon coated) to
seal some polyethylene. There is not industrial product made that works as
well. When we started using them about 12 years ago, I paid $20 or so.
Thursday I paid $9.97 at Wal Mart for the Black & Decker and it works just
as well as when they cost $20. . FWIW, they are on 24 hours a day and
never burn out. They eventually get dropped and break.

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. You can buy a toaster as cheap as $7.50 in K Mart. How
> long does it take you to earn $7.50? How long did it take you to earn
> enough to buy that reliable toasted 30 years ago? Two weeks ago I paid $40
> for a toaster. Won't really know how good it is for a few years.
>
> Where I work, we use plain old household irons (must be Teflon coated) to
> seal some polyethylene. There is not industrial product made that works as
> well. When we started using them about 12 years ago, I paid $20 or so.
> Thursday I paid $9.97 at Wal Mart for the Black & Decker and it works just
> as well as when they cost $20. . FWIW, they are on 24 hours a day and
> never burn out. They eventually get dropped and break.


But how does one go about investigating quality? It seems like a
manufacturer puts effort into making a good product for a couple of
years, gets the word out that this particular model and make is built to
last, then rests on its laurels so to speak and can clean up by making
an inferior cheap product and selling it at double the price. My
experience has been like Anne's old items bought at garage sales last
forever. New ones, no matter what I pay, break after a year and can't
be repaired.


--Lia

> 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. You can buy a toaster as cheap as $7.50 in K Mart.
>How
>> long does it take you to earn $7.50? How long did it take you to earn
>> enough to buy that reliable toasted 30 years ago? Two weeks ago I paid $40
>
>> for a toaster. Won't really know how good it is for a few years.
>>
>> Where I work, we use plain old household irons (must be Teflon coated) to
>> seal some polyethylene. There is not industrial product made that works as
>
>> well. When we started using them about 12 years ago, I paid $20 or so.
>> Thursday I paid $9.97 at Wal Mart for the Black & Decker and it works just
>> as well as when they cost $20. . FWIW, they are on 24 hours a day and
>> never burn out. They eventually get dropped and break.
>
>
>But how does one go about investigating quality? It seems like a
>manufacturer puts effort into making a good product for a couple of
>years, gets the word out that this particular model and make is built to
>last, then rests on its laurels so to speak and can clean up by making
>an inferior cheap product and selling it at double the price. My
>experience has been like Anne's old items bought at garage sales last
>forever. New ones, no matter what I pay, break after a year and can't
>be repaired.

No one repairs a $10 toaster... do you repair light bulbs? duh

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... ie. no matter what tool I need I always first check for
availability from Sears, any "Craftsman" product fails, for any reason
whatsoever, return it for a new one, no questions, no hassle. I can't begin to
relate how many "Craftsman" products I abused/misused... brought em back to any
Sears for a brand new one... just last week I mowed over a "Craftsman" all
rubber garden hose, a 100' length, nicked a big slice out of it... the sales
clerk took it back and gave me a brand new one. Doesn't matter if it's a $10
shovel handle busted or a $500 drill press motor burned out, If it says
"Craftsman" Sears makes it right... and when their warranty says "Lifetime"
they mean LIFETIME. My tool wears out 10 years from now I know I can have it
replaced, free... so gals, whenever you meet a guy first thing check his tool
for the "Craftsman" label... and all yoose gals need to give yer guys a
"Craftsman" tool box.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

On 29 Aug 2004 13:58:17 GMT, (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. You can buy a toaster as cheap as $7.50 in K Mart.
>>How
>>> long does it take you to earn $7.50? How long did it take you to earn
>>> enough to buy that reliable toasted 30 years ago? Two weeks ago I paid $40
>>
>>> for a toaster. Won't really know how good it is for a few years.
>>>
>>> Where I work, we use plain old household irons (must be Teflon coated) to
>>> seal some polyethylene. There is not industrial product made that works as
>>
>>> well. When we started using them about 12 years ago, I paid $20 or so.
>>> Thursday I paid $9.97 at Wal Mart for the Black & Decker and it works just
>>> as well as when they cost $20. . FWIW, they are on 24 hours a day and
>>> never burn out. They eventually get dropped and break.
>>
>>
>>But how does one go about investigating quality? It seems like a
>>manufacturer puts effort into making a good product for a couple of
>>years, gets the word out that this particular model and make is built to
>>last, then rests on its laurels so to speak and can clean up by making
>>an inferior cheap product and selling it at double the price. My
>>experience has been like Anne's old items bought at garage sales last
>>forever. New ones, no matter what I pay, break after a year and can't
>>be repaired.
>
>No one repairs a $10 toaster... do you repair light bulbs? duh
>
>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... ie. no matter what tool I need I always first check for
>availability from Sears, any "Craftsman" product fails, for any reason
>whatsoever, return it for a new one, no questions, no hassle. I can't begin to
>relate how many "Craftsman" products I abused/misused... brought em back to any
>Sears for a brand new one... just last week I mowed over a "Craftsman" all
>rubber garden hose, a 100' length, nicked a big slice out of it... the sales
>clerk took it back and gave me a brand new one. Doesn't matter if it's a $10
>shovel handle busted or a $500 drill press motor burned out, If it says
>"Craftsman" Sears makes it right... and when their warranty says "Lifetime"
>they mean LIFETIME. My tool wears out 10 years from now I know I can have it
>replaced, free... so gals, whenever you meet a guy first thing check his tool
>for the "Craftsman" label... and all yoose gals need to give yer guys a
>"Craftsman" tool box.
>
>
>---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
> ---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
> *********
>"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
>Sheldon
>

Only Craftsman hand tools carry a lifetime guarentee..If you burn out
a motor...tough luck``````````

PENMART01 wrote in message >...
<snip>
so gals, whenever you meet a guy first thing check his tool
>for the "Craftsman" label... and all yoose gals need to give yer guys a
>"Craftsman" tool box.

well, this gal brought her own tools to the marriage, but, hey....


--
saerah (handy around the house)

TANSTAAFL

Bango Skank Awaits the King!

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)

In article >,
(PENMART01) wrote:

> 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... ie. no matter what tool I need I always first check for
> availability from Sears, any "Craftsman" product fails, for any reason
> whatsoever, return it for a new one, no questions, no hassle. I can't begin
> to
> relate how many "Craftsman" products I abused/misused... brought em back to
> any
> Sears for a brand new one... just last week I mowed over a "Craftsman" all
> rubber garden hose, a 100' length, nicked a big slice out of it... the sales
> clerk took it back and gave me a brand new one. Doesn't matter if it's a $10
> shovel handle busted or a $500 drill press motor burned out, If it says
> "Craftsman" Sears makes it right... and when their warranty says "Lifetime"
> they mean LIFETIME. My tool wears out 10 years from now I know I can have it
> replaced, free... so gals, whenever you meet a guy first thing check his tool
> for the "Craftsman" label... and all yoose gals need to give yer guys a
> "Craftsman" tool box.

The lifetime guarantee on Craftsman products does not extend to the
power tools--it's the "Craftsman Unlimited Hand Tool Warranty." I'm
surprised they took back the garden hose.

I found this out by accident: some time ago, my Craftsman Rotary Tool
(their version of a Dremel) died after about two years. I brought it
back to Sears, and they said I had to take it to a service center for
out-of-warranty repair--no power tool is covered by the lifetime
warranty. I paid $20 plus tax for the repair (on a $50 item), which they
said was a flat-rate repair cost regardless of what was wrong. Weeks
later, they sent me a post card, saying it would cost them too much to
repair, and I'd have to pick up the tool and get a refund.

I protested--they were going to charge me $20 even if all they had to do
was to open it up, blow off some dust, and stick it back together. Thus
the meaning of "flat rate." I argued with managers, and was finally
given a reconditioned rotary tool.

--
to respond, change "spamless.invalid" with "optonline.net"
please mail OT responses only

In article <33jYc.64468$9d6.57996@attbi_s54>,
Julia Altshuler > wrote:

> But how does one go about investigating quality?

Well, there's the Internet. Google carries Usenet archives back to
1992 or such (granted, not everyone's postings are archived, but it's
still considerable). Web searches can go back a few years. Consumer
Reports (caveats about their testing and reliability methodologies
aside) is available (in print, at least) for years gone by at your
local library.

Some of it is just using good sense: if Acme Appliance Company, which
has had a high-end-department-store reputation for years, comes out
with a line sold exclusively at Wal*Mart, you can be pretty sure it's
built to a price and not necessarily the legendary quality Acme has
been known for. Sometimes companies like Acme get smart and they
relabel: "Brandex by Acme" provides most of the brand promise without
muddying Acme's good name with the shortcomings of the cheaper
product.

And some of it is just knowing what you're looking at:
- Simpler product designs are better. Microwaves with doors that open
_without_ pressing a button are likely to last longer because there
are fewer moving parts.
- A nameplate that reappears after having been gone from the market
for a few years (GE and Westinghouse come to mind in small appliances)
usually means someone bought the name, so the quality would be similar
to what the company makes now, not what GE or Westinghouse used to
make "back in the day."
- Spending more for a mixer that can handle cookie dough -- even if
you never bake cookies -- likely will get you a sturdier product than
the cheaper mixer that will handle your mixing needs.

I think it _is_ harder to find quality appliances. But they seem to
exist in all market segments if you're willing to shop and spend some
money.

sd

_.-In rec.food.cooking, sd wrote the following -._
> Well, there's the Internet. Google carries Usenet archives back to
> 1992 or such

1981
But the most usefull years are 1995 and above when more people started
getting on it and the number of groups expanded to contain a lot of
odds and ends subjects. But the post 1995 signal to noise ratio is
worse. You can't win them all.

--
.-')) http://asciipr0n.com/fp ('-. | It's a damn poor mind that
' ..- .:" ) ( ":. -.. ' | can only think of one way to
((,,_;'.;' UIN=66618055 ';. ';_,,)) | spell a word.
((_.YIM=Faux_Pseudo :._)) | - Andrew Jackson

"Julia Altshuler" > wrote in message
> But how does one go about investigating quality? It seems like a
> manufacturer puts effort into making a good product for a couple of years,
> gets the word out that this particular model and make is built to last,
> then rests on its laurels so to speak and can clean up by making an
> inferior cheap product and selling it at double the price. My experience
> has been like Anne's old items bought at garage sales last forever. New
> ones, no matter what I pay, break after a year and can't be repaired.
>
>
> --Lia
>

It is not easy. Shopping for a toaster, every one was made in China. Close
inspection did reveal some differences though, in the quality of the
materials. Some are heavier, some have coatings, heavier cords, more
heating elements for a more even toast.

Kitchen Aid is still a good brand, but the stand mixer is still not as good
as the ones made when it was a Hobart brand. Singer still trades on its
name earned many years ago, but they have not made a decent machine in 25
years and three or four owners. Frigidaire used to be good when owned by
General Motors, but they too when to crap by various owners and
consolidations with mediocre brands.

As long as consumers buy second and third rate appliances, companies will
continue to give us what sells.

Thanks to sd, Edwin and Alex for answers on how to buy quality. A lot
of my disappointment comes from the times I have done some research and
have paid more thinking I was buying quality, only to discover that
manufacturers can charge a lot for junk as well as for good products.


It's funny that the thread turned to Craftsman and Sears products. My
grandmother swore by Sears. They had a wonderful reputation. Grandma
didn't even have to shop around much. When she wanted a new sewing
machine, she went straight for a Kenmore. I worked for Sears one summer
in 1976. It was one of my first jobs. I remember being so impressed
with Sears's policy of taking products back no matter what the customer
excuse. (I was naive at 18.) Now I've been screwed by Sears so many
times I never think of shopping there. I've tried to get Grandma's 70's
era sewing machine fixed, and I've given up. Either the parts or the
service are horrible. I think of Sears first as an example of a company
resting on its laurels, able to charge a higher price for an inferior
product because of the good will it built up years ago.

--Lia

I'm still using the Farberware electric frying pan I bought in 1959 at White
Front Store on South Central, in Elay..and my Sunbeam portable mixer circa
1966...

harriet & critters...
> I have a Sunbeam waffle/sandwich grill my mother used when I was a
> child, I made waffles for my children and later my grandchildren. It
> still works. I have a westinghouse toaster and a Sunbeam mixer---both
> bought in late 50s---still work. I have a Rival crockpot and an
> Osterzer blender that processes even the hardest raw vegetables bought
> during the 70s, Both work as good as the day I bought them.
> My appliances are not fancy designer pieces but they are dependable.
> My grown children are buying these appliances today and they break down
> in no time at all. Is there any quality brands being made today or is
> everything overpriced junk? Anne
>

(Anne=A0Duhon) inquiry snipped greatly, but....
>Is there any quality brands being made
>today or is everything overpriced junk?
A few months ago I had the joy of replacing many things in my kitchen,
in order to nearly set up my 30 year old son's first "independant of
others" kitchen. Not only did this child get all of the very complete
set of Revere Ware (circa 1950 or so) that had come from my
grandmother's kitchen, and because he knows I now use only a "wand" or
"stick" beater, he also glommed onto the very old, copper encased Oster
hand-beater that still works perfectly, as well as the entire Oster
"Kitchen Center" blender that has attachments for making bread dough and
grinding meats.

The 24 piece set of Revere Ware I replaced the old with is of a much
less heavy construction, and the lids don't set in as snuggly as did my
grandmother's, as though they are out of round. I never used the
blender's bread attachment, or it's meat grinder, but son says both do
work quite well. The ever a bread maker, me, prefers using
grandfather's very old, metal, hand-crank meat grinder that son had no
chance of begging away.

Based on merely this most recent experience with supplying son, methinks
nothing I've replaced the old with could possibly hold up to the use he,
or most any family could need to use on a daily basis.

Picky ~JA~

In rec.food.cooking, Anne Duhon > wrote:
> I have a Sunbeam waffle/sandwich grill my mother used when I was a
> child, I made waffles for my children and later my grandchildren. It
> still works. I have a westinghouse toaster and a Sunbeam mixer---both
> bought in late 50s---still work. I have a Rival crockpot and an
> Osterzer blender that processes even the hardest raw vegetables bought
> during the 70s, Both work as good as the day I bought them.
> My appliances are not fancy designer pieces but they are dependable.
> My grown children are buying these appliances today and they break down
> in no time at all. Is there any quality brands being made today or is
> everything overpriced junk? Anne


Personally, I favor eBay for appliance purchases. As you know, the
appliances of the past were built like tanks. I expect to pass down my
toaster to my grandkids (that is, if they still like art-deco styling).

--
....I'm an air-conditioned gypsy...

- The Who

Anne Duhon wrote:

> Is there any quality brands being made today or is
> everything overpriced junk? Anne

The ones made in China are all junk. I have a Rival
crockpot made in the USA that I bought about 5 years
ago, and works great! Rival recently announced a
recall of all their crockpots -- all models made in China
-- because the handles break off too easily.

My Chinese-made George Foreman rotissiere is very cheaply
made, with thin sheet metal and a knob that broke off after
not much use. On the other hand, my Korean-made
Ronco rotissiere is solid as a rock, having survived
very heavy use with not even the least sign of defect.

I don't think it's the fault of the Chinese that their
products are so bad -- it's the American companies
who ask them to build products so cheaply. I think
it is within the capability of the Chinese to build a
good product, if someone like Ronco were to contract
with them to make a product to a high specification
and pay them adequately for the job.

Part of the problem is the Walmartization of consumer
demand in the U.S. We have grown accustomed to
expecting unreasonably low prices for appliances.
The fan in my Chinese-made Toastmaster convection
oven is breaking down after only light use, but what
can you expect for only $90? The next nearest in price
convection oven was about double that. You get what
you pay for, and the very existence of a $90 convection
oven (even though it's junk) puts pressure on the other
manufacturers to get their price down.

That said, the Toastmaster has served its purpose in
teaching me how much I would use a convection oven
and what features I need. I saw a very high quality
commercial convection oven for about $650, and I
could tell it just reeked of quality. Even the feel of
the door latch told me it was like the Mercedes-Benz
of convection ovens. If I were to get serious about
convection ovens, that would be what I would buy.
It would probably last three generations, until it was
stolen or lost in a house fire or sold on eBay by
unappreciative great-grandchildren.

However, what I learned from the piece-of-junk
Toastmaster is that I don't need a convection oven.
I only use it as a food dehydrator, and it operates
poorly for that purpose. What I need is a food
dehydrator. The Excalibur units look good to me,
and I'm going to buy one once I figure out which
model to get. I'm thinking the low-end model would
be most suitable, because it has the lowest wattage
heater. The biggest problem with the Toastmaster
operating as a food dehydrator is that it would maintain
temperature by frequent cycling between 0 and 1200
watts. Lower wattage and longer cycles are what
I want, and I didn't know that before buying the
piece-of-crap Toastmaster.

Anne Duhon > wrote:
>I have a Sunbeam waffle/sandwich grill my mother used when I was a
>child, I made waffles for my children and later my grandchildren. It
>still works. I have a westinghouse toaster and a Sunbeam mixer---both
>bought in late 50s---still work. I have a Rival crockpot and an
>Osterzer blender that processes even the hardest raw vegetables bought
>during the 70s, Both work as good as the day I bought them.
>My appliances are not fancy designer pieces but they are dependable.
>My grown children are buying these appliances today and they break down
>in no time at all. Is there any quality brands being made today or is
>everything overpriced junk? Anne

I can't remember the last small appliance I bought that just
fell apart.

But then, I don't shop strictly on price.

--Blair
"New York City?!"

In article >,
(Anne Duhon) wrote:

>I have a Rival crockpot and an Osterzer blender that processes even
>the hardest raw vegetables bought during the 70s,

Those raw vegetables are probably petrified by now if you bought them in
the 70s.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> An update on 8/22/04; check the Fairs Fare tab.

>I have a Sunbeam waffle/sandwich grill my mother used when I was a
>child, I made waffles for my children and later my grandchildren. It
>still works. I have a westinghouse toaster and a Sunbeam mixer---both
>bought in late 50s---still work. I have a Rival crockpot and an
>Osterzer blender that processes even the hardest raw vegetables bought
>during the 70s, Both work as good as the day I bought them.
>My appliances are not fancy designer pieces but they are dependable.
>My grown children are buying these appliances today and they break down
>in no time at all. Is there any quality brands being made today or is
>everything overpriced junk?

I think if you look at older kitchen appliances vs the newer ones, the vintage
stuff is generally made better. One reason I think this is is that a lot of it
was Made in America, which used to mean something. Nowadays, it's all made in
Mexico or Singapore.

When it comes to buying a hand mixer or blender or waffle iron, I often find
myself looking at Goodwill stores or checking out garage sales, where I can
sometimes find an old one for next to nothing. Why pay 20 or 30 bucks at
Walmart when you can pick up a used one for three or four dollars that works
every bit as well.

Ebay is another good place to look for this stuff, but costs more than other
secondhand sources because you have to pay for shipping. I picked up a vintage
stainless steel meat slicer on Ebay about a month ago (still with original box
and instructions; probably from the 1960s and appears to have never been used
and in perfect condition) that cost with shipping less than 25 bucks; I
probably would have paid two or three times that to get the same thing at
Target and it probably won't work as well as the one I bought. A lot of people
have that stuff sitting around in their attics but would rather use the newer,
fancier items. I don't understand it.

Michael O'Connor - Modern Renaissance Man

"The likelihood of one individual being correct increases in a direct
proportion to the intensity with which others try to prove him wrong"
James Mason from the movie "Heaven Can Wait".

(Anne Duhon) wrote in news:17098-41316551-336
@storefull-3216.bay.webtv.net:

> Is there any quality brands being made today or is
> everything overpriced junk?


Anne,

I have been through your thread. No mention of "Good Housekeeping"
ratings. I don't know how it compares to CR, but if the product carries
that seal, it might be a better product.

Or not. :-/

Andy

I too still have my GE hand mixer & coffee pot, revere Stainless pots &
bowls & Oster blender from 1960... When amassing newer gadgets thru the
years I have learned that, Black & Decker used to be great but out
sources to the Far East now and is crapola as well as Toastmaster
(which goes up in flames and has been recalled so many times)...so I buy
Braun, Moulinex, DiLonghi whenever possible now....They are only
slightly higher priced but worth not having to worry about and replacing
it every few years....

As you wrote, people can only manufacture a product according to specs
and if they are el cheapo, so is the finished product.....buyer beware
...

http://community.webtv.net/R-J-Q/FIRSTANNUALALLYEAR

http://www.wtv-zone.com/cal555/index.html