A reader sent this to me the other day (Thanks, Emily!), and I love it passionately. So, of course I wanted to share it with you. Isn’t it so perfect??
That’s exactly why when I buy something, I try to ask myself, “Will this be useful and treasured for years to come?”
Shopping that way is better for the environment, better for the people producing the goods, better for my wallet (in the long run) and truly, better for my quality of life. Life with well-made, non-disposable items is just more lovely.
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Joshua’s 365 post: Silhouette
Patches
Thursday 2nd of May 2013
I love this! Over the years I've noticed that when I buy something because it's a "deal" versus because I need it or know I will treasure it, I almost always end up sending it to goodwill or giving it away. It's much more satisfying to buy items of quality that last.
Susan
Wednesday 1st of May 2013
But how do you know that things will last for years to come? We have an expensive washer and dryer. At 12 years, they are dying. We got Calphalon bakeware for wedding gift and all of that is getting chipped etc. I don't think the cost of an item is always related to how long it lasts.
Elaine in Ark
Thursday 2nd of May 2013
Appliances are not made to last very long. They are engineered to fail (planned obsolescence). 12 years for a washer & dryer isn't bad at all! I have a 6 year old front load washer (last time EVER) that I've had to replace the door latch on twice. Now the front of the door nearest the hinge is cracking. Yup, it's plastic.
My mother's electric wringer washing machine lasted all during my childhood, then went to my sister-in-law, then to my niece. That thing chugged away for 40 years.
It's not that they *don't* make them like they used to, it's that they *won't* make them like they used to. Grrrr.
Kristen
Wednesday 1st of May 2013
That's a really good question that deserves a longer answer. So, I think I'll devote a post to it. :)
rachel
Wednesday 1st of May 2013
It is really hard to find well made items. We recently redid our bathroom and the first time we used the tub faucet it sprayed water everywhere... we talked to our contractor - I guess all faucets are now plastic sprayed to look like metal, not real metal parts. So even though we would have spent the money, it is hard to find quality goods. You go to stores (even nice stores) and so much stuff is cheaply made! Even Land's End clothes don't hold up like they used to - I bought pants there and seams were tearing putting them on - I checked the reviews and it was a common complaint. It is so hard to find nice ANYTHING nowadays.
WilliamB
Wednesday 1st of May 2013
In addition to the benefits already mentioned (long lasting, better deal over the lifetime of the product, better for the environment), there's a moral aspect as well: mortal hazard.
Cheaply made goods are almost always produced in dangerous conditions, because the manufacturer needs to cut costs beyond the limit. H&M sweaters are typically made in unsafe sweatshops, Dale of Norway sweaters in well regulated and safe ones. (I've seen reports of the former, and seen the factories of the latter.) This is one of the reasons I won't shop at Walmart - their pressure for low prices puts workers in danger, sometimes of their lives.
ClaraB
Wednesday 1st of May 2013
ITA that cheap clothing is often made in sweatshops, but more expensive clothing often is as well. A case in point - the building in Bangladesh that collapsed last week housed sweatshops making clothes for the Children's Place and Benetton, among others. It is so frustrating trying to find well and ethically made clothing.
Elaine in Ark
Wednesday 1st of May 2013
It really is getting harder to find quality goods. I bought a lawn mower and a string timmer from a manufacturer that used to be the BEST. Now, they've both failed and can't be repaired. I went online and found so many complaints about the same products/maker. Their products are made cheaply overseas and don't last at all.
My new lawn mower was made in America and it's performing like a champ! It wasn't really all that much more expensive than the usual junk that I see everywhere. I should send them a nice email...
Ruth
Friday 3rd of May 2013
Thank you, Elaine, on behalf of someone whose dad and brother work here in the USA manufacturing lawnmowers and snowblowers!