“They
don’t make things like they used to.”
I
think that phrase was first uttered by a caveman, lamenting the new-fangled
man-made fire; why, in his days, they used ‘real’ fire, the kind that lightning
had to start…
Well,
the complaint has proved one of humanity’s most durable. Certainly, the
invention of plastics lent it increased validity. Many products these days are
cheaply-made, with cheap parts, none of which last long.
It
may come as a surprise that the 1980s seemed to have devised some items,
appliances in particular, that have stood the test of time, at least here in
the cosy apartment. At the risk of jinxing these machines, allow me to introduce
my veterans.
I
have just recently had to have my vacuum-cleaner’s ‘power-head’ repaired. It
required a new motor, a tune-up (I didn’t know vacuum-cleaners could receive
tune-ups) and a good cleaning. This is the first time I’ve had to have it seen
to in the thirty-five years or so that I, and my parents before me, have owned
it. The repairs cost $154. I believe that, here in Canada, new vacuum-cleaners
cost anywhere from just a little more than that price to three or four times
that. But I will not discard something that still serves its original purpose
well, just because it needs some maintenance, and so it remains in my employ.
Then
there is the apartment-sized deep-freeze unit. This fellow is about the same
age as the vacuum-cleaner, though it may be a few years younger. It is a
god-send for those of us who like to buy in volume, or who make some of our own
meals, freezing the prepared portions for quick, later use. The mechanism that
keeps the door up and open is broken, but all else works well.
Then,
the captain of the team: my micro-wave oven. Weighing more than a Volkswagen
Beetle, and built to withstand the blast of a bomb, it was born in the late
1970s. It takes up enough room for two or three ‘modern’ micro-wave ovens and
probably throws off more radiation than Chernobyl, but it still performs yeoman
service. I use it to warm up the cats’ soft-food and periodically to thaw
frozen articles for my own consumption, so it seemed pointless to replace it
with a slimmer model. It has followed me through four moves of residence – no
doubt much to the consternation of the movers – and will stay with me until one
of us dies. I may actually go first.
And
so, while I do not collect antiques, it seems that at least a few have clung to
me, for protection and use. They continue to do what I ask of them. When an
appliance fulfills its purpose without fuss or undue cost, why replace it?
Besides, would I be obtaining anything better? After all, they don’t make
things like they used to.
Gee, and here I've been thinking of moving because my apartment is so old that it's not worth the rent I'm paying. (For example, my refrigerator is 27 years old.) You raise a good point about things not being made well these days. Maybe I need to reconsider relocating. After all, where else would I find an apartment that will permit me to have 6 cats - even though the landlord thinks I have only 2? :-)
ReplyDeleteI was very lucky to find this apartment. It is well-run and cats can stay for free - unlike every other building in town at which I inquired. They usually charged a $250 a cat, and sometimes a higher rent because of them.
DeleteI figure if something works decently, why throw it out? There is too much waste these days. Or perhaps I'm just hoping someone will apply the same merciful rules to me as I age!
The caveman bit made me smile, because it's probably true!
ReplyDeleteI think my microwave is about 20 years old, and my washer and dryer are 17 years old now. I will keep them (the washer in particular) as long as I possibly can, because appliances built today are made to last only about 5 - 7 years. Two repair guys have told me to hang onto the washer/dryer, that they were the last of the well-made "Kenmore" line. (Whirlpool, I think, with a Kenmore label.)
I wish I had had saved the old Kenmore powermate vacuum, it was about 30 years old when I had it back in Halifax, would be about 50 years old now. Heavy thing! (Mind you, I'm happy with my new one, I bought it with Christmas gift money last year.)
Your microwave, though...That probably would freak me out a bit. LOL. I think I'd be replacing that with something I felt (correctly or incorrectly) was safer. :-D
My vacuum-cleaner is a Kenmore Powermate, too. I guess they must be - or, at least, were - a goo brand.
DeleteThe older items were designed in a way that allowed them to be repaired. They were relatively more expensive but made to last. Now days, some electrical items have no repair pathway, but they are inexpensive to purchase. My gran had an Electrolux vacuum that dated from the late 30s I believe. When she passed, I wanted the machine but was not lucky enough to get it. Last I heard it was still in use to some degree. I remember it looked like a cross between a fire extinguisher and a scuba tank.
ReplyDeleteOur microwave was purchased off the back of a truck by my father-in-law so long ago that we should contact the local museum to see if they need one for display! Used for minor things, since I don't like to eat microwaved food. Our Oreck vacuum was purchased about the same time that Angel and Chuck joined our family, and the company has offered free annual service on it in the 13 years we've had it. I fight like heck with the cord on the blasted thing...actually, the cords on anything tend to mess with me. Only a over-the-fridge freezer for us, and The Hubby fills it with water jugs bc we never fill it up!
ReplyDeleteSo true about well made appliances from the past. Mine are 20 years or older and still running well with a few repair bills to be expected. When their time runs out, I'm sure the new one will not last as long as these.
ReplyDeleteHaha I did laugh at your post. I go given a big Brown microwave for my 21st birthday. It lasted 21 years until it caught fire one day - luckily no damage done. My new one is 10% of the weight and 10 times more powerful.
ReplyDeleteI got a Dyson vacuum cleaner and love it after years of cheaper ones that worked as well as me trying to suck up the floor.
Good on you for sticking with your antiques. Repairs are astronomical here.
I have kept all my guys till they turn up their toes. My fridge only lasted 16 years this time but the one it has replaces was 20...and one of my family punctured it in the heart and let its freon out--- as well as it would have been an expensive repair. I capitulated and bought a new one then. Washers (Whirlpool) and dryers (Kenmore) lasted over 20 years as well.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed that your appliances have lasted so long.
ReplyDelete