They Don't Make Them Like They Used to! (Or better than before!)

D6C1 on 07/11/2016 - 11:22
Last edited 07/11/2016 - 12:36

Hi all

As the years go by, I've been finding that things (consumables and non) are not like what they used to be. e.g - The elastic around the bonds underwear wears a lot quicker than its pre-descendants which used to go holey and the elastic never did.

While understanding that planned obsolescence is a big part in this to drive the economy, I don't get it. As consumers, I'm sure that we'd be more than happy to pay for quality that lasts rather than cheap items that need to be replaced more often. I cant be bothered.

So ahead.. Share :)

Edit: Title updated to also include those that have been made better than before

General Discussion

Comments

  • mskeggs on 07/11/2016 - 11:32

    Its often hard to judge the longevity of something when brand new. The undies are a great example.
    So the CEO of Bonds, who likely will have moved on in 3-5years, can happily save 1% on elastic costs now knowing that any repercussions are down the road.

    Blundstone boots were another example of a brand I lost all respect for, and will now mock people I see wearing new pairs.
    And don't talk to me about whitegoods.

  • RockyRaccoon on 07/11/2016 - 12:02
    +1

    Yep my grandads 1949 Austin A40 would go 100K's and need a engine rebuild (rings, head shaved etc) where as the 1995 Commodore was still on orginal engine after 350K,s

    Yep dont build them like they used to.. 😀

    Then again the original pop up toaster we got repaired at the local electrical store, nowadays we throw it away.

    But wait it cost $150 so it was "worth" fixing at $50 whereas the one now cost $25 so wasn't "worth" fixing…..

    Plus keep in mind we get paid more per hour now

  • ChrisLevo on 07/11/2016 - 12:29
    +1

    Lots of things are better than before.

    One example is car servicing.
    I used to have to change the oil and grease everything in sight on my first car (1958 Austin Lancer) every few weeks, and let's not add bleeding brakes, topping up brake and clutch fluids, etc, etc., etc.

    That was in 1970, just to date me.

    Then as RockyRacoon says, the engine needed work in a fairly short time.

    Now, my 2016 Hyundai Sonata needs a service every 12 months or 15,000km, and it's capped at a ridiculously low price, plus free roadside assist.

    And, comparatively speaking against wages, it's way cheaper than a new car back then.

    I agree about the Reg Grundys, sadly.

    • D6C1 on 07/11/2016 - 12:35

      Perhaps title should also read.. or "Better than before!"

  • macrocephalic on 07/11/2016 - 12:41
    +2

    I would say that the things you buy which are wearing out faster are probably much cheaper than they were. Clothing, as per your example, has gotten much cheaper than it was when I was young. I noticed earlier this year that you can buy a pair of kmart denim jeans for $9 - full price. If you wait until they go on clearance then you can probably get them for $5. Recently, I bought a plain cotton kmart tshirt for $2 which was reduced from it's full price of $4. When I was a kid, clothes cost more than that in absolute dollars, and there's been 25 years of inflation since then.

    Brand name clothes have also reduced in quality. In the 90's you would pay $40 for a Billabong tshirt - but it was decent quality. Now you can get one for $25, but they're pretty thin.

    • D6C1 on 07/11/2016 - 14:38
      +1

      Id rather pay more for a tshirt and last me longer. I cant be bothered shopping tbh..

  • inherentchoice on 07/11/2016 - 13:29

    Politicians?

    Well there was a time that politicians on both sides were respected citizens and leaders who people looked up to, but now days it seems politics is plagued with endless hate campaigns and often the politicians are carrying on like children bickering in the schoolyard.

    But I'm thinking it's not strictly the fault of any politicians but more of a general trend across society, that there has been a decline in morals and a lack of respect for authority. Compared to 50 years ago, people now have less respect for teachers, sports officials and police. Divorce is up. Depression and mental illness is up. Alcohol and drug related violence up. Suicide is up.

    Have you ever seen more hateful political campaigns in western countries (including Australia) than in the last few years?

    I think it's actually sad there are many people today who hold an almost violent hatred toward certain political leaders or groups. When disagreements and conflicts become physical, it does start wars.

    • RockyRaccoon on 07/11/2016 - 13:53
      -1

      a time that politicians on both sides were respected citizens and leaders who people looked up to

      ROFL.

      When did this ever happen and BOTH parties the same time?

      As we now have 6 leaders of politicians maybe that is the real issue - too many pushing ideas without having to understand the impact of these on other parts of the country and the economy. (Lib/Nat/Lab/Green/Hanson/Xenophon)

      At various times politicians have been better than others but like everything old, the tendency is to remember only the good times.

      And surveys over the past 15 years show that some years they are up and some are down, just like TV reporters and Journalists who dont rate much higher. (maybe if their standards of reporting were higher we would get better politicians)

      http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6188-roy-morgan-image-of-p…

      • inherentchoice on 07/11/2016 - 14:03

        I am talking over 50 years ago.

        Back then they had daily prayers at public schools and church attendance was much higher.

        But even 25 years ago it wasn't as bad as today.

        • RockyRaccoon on 07/11/2016 - 14:39

          But even 25 years ago it wasn't as bad as today.

          Yep thats when interest rates were 18% and we had the recession we needed to have.

          I recall how loved the pollies were then!

          As for 50 years ago, we had the cold war, nuclear testing, vietnam war, decimal currency and all the love that gave to our pollies at the time.

          So yes for some, the love of pollies was there, but you did say we respected pollies of BOTH sides. No,we like today repected pollies that expoused our views and hated those on the opposite side.

          Remember this was the time Arthur Caldwell was almost assassinated - so much for respect.

          So I go back to the point - memories like that of the OP are somewhat rose coloured

        • inherentchoice on 07/11/2016 - 14:52

          @RockyRaccoon:

          None of those adverse events and circumstances are a measure of whether people had respect for authority. If anything, it says that in stressful or difficult times, people could still respect those in power.

          Today question time in parliament house can be like immature schoolyard bullying.

          In times gone past politicians on both sides argued and debated seriously from the Bible. The record is on Hansard and in the old newspaper articles.

          Back then they did not have the level of government debt we see today.

        • RockyRaccoon on 07/11/2016 - 16:24

          @inherentchoice:Not many average joes listened to parliamentary debates, so while they were probably more civil, that doesnt mean we had much more respect for them.

          Liberal voters respected Menzies, but not Caldwell and Union members Had no respect for Menzies. Pig Iron Bob, because of his sales to Japan just before the war.

          Given that making comments outside of parliament can lead to law suits, and given televised parliament today can see slander being made without fear, then of course many will use this parliamentary privilege, that wasnt seen by the public 50 years ago. (eg naming and shaming by Daryn Hinch.

          Again, while it wasnt public, people still didn't respect the politicans of the other side. People 50 years ago were probably more judgemental and fixed in their voting patterns than now. Hence more stable governments that were not being frustrated by minority parties. The senate was seen as a states rights house, now its a protest and special interest house that isnt even democratic. eg 1 Vic/NSW senator has to get as many votes as 10 senators in Tasmania combined.

          Or in other words 37000 Tasmanians can has as much influence as 500000 NSW voters. (or 400000 Victorians)

          And we expect people to respect that inequality? So when one of these small state representives tell us their vote is democratically based, dont laugh too much.

    • macrocephalic on 07/11/2016 - 15:02
      -1

      Divorce rates are going down. Violent crime is down. As for people who hold hate certain groups, so you think 50 years ago - when it was policy to remove aboriginal kids from their parents - was a better time.

      The truth is, we're better in almost every way then 50 years ago, except possibly levels of fear and freedom - but I'm not sure about those.

      • inherentchoice on 07/11/2016 - 15:05

        Divorce rates are far higher than 50 years ago.

        • macrocephalic on 07/11/2016 - 16:02

          Yes, but only because of changes to legislation. Divorce rates are currently the lowest they've been since the Marriage Act of 1975 was passed. Prior to this a divorce required both parties to file for divorce - not just one.

          http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/0/947114F16DC7D980CA…

        • inherentchoice on 07/11/2016 - 16:35

          @macrocephalic: So in 2008 there were 5.5 marriages per 1000 people, and 2.2 divorces. So that's about a 40% failure rate.

          With these stats, the divorce rate is expressed per person not per marriage, and your link clearly states that:

          Falls in the crude marriage rate since 1970 can be mainly attributed to changes in attitudes to marriage and living arrangements that have occurred since then.

          And meanwhile the stats also show de facto partnerships have significantly increased. So the (fewer) people who do get married today are of course more serious about making a commitment and therefore less likely to divorce.

          You can spin it how you like, but the reality is that social problems including divorce/separation and mental health are worse than over 50 years ago.

        • macrocephalic on 07/11/2016 - 16:44

          @inherentchoice: Probably the best single graphic in there is 7.41 - median duration of marriage. It only shows data back to '78, but it does show that the average marriage in 2008 lasted longer than the average marriage in 1978 and trended up from 78 to the 2000's.

  • Unorthodox on 07/11/2016 - 13:33
    +1

    Pringles :'(

    • D6C1 on 07/11/2016 - 14:37

      Tell me about it! Ive stopped buying as their size is smaller and their quality/taste has gone to crap

  • altomic on 07/11/2016 - 13:34
    +3

    I find the internet to be a lot faster now than when i was at school in the 80's…..

    300baud modem to BBS.

    • Wampus on 07/11/2016 - 13:54

      I think you're my vintage. At 300 baud the text download speed was slower than reading speed!

    • RockyRaccoon on 07/11/2016 - 14:00

      …Which was 4X faster than the original 75bd Viatel (Telecom/Prestel) system…. Ah the GOOD old days

  • skillet on 08/11/2016 - 10:07

    Morning Fresh 'concentrated' dishwashing liquid - I bet you this is getting diluted as time goes. I used to be able to use a few squirts to finish a days worth of dishes, nowadays I have to use a few spoons! I'm not buying this supermarket crap anymore, time to go industrial.

    It's really hard to buy cheap kitchen sponge(the one with yellow foam and green scrub) that last. They are still out there you just have to search.

    Mamee Noodles are shrinking at incredibly alarming rate.

    • D6C1 on 09/11/2016 - 09:07

      I agree. Morning fresh has gone worse and is constantly half price to lure shoppers to keep buying it.

      Cant find a decent kitchen sponge that doesnt crumple and falla apart after a few weeks.

  • D6C1 on 09/11/2016 - 09:05

    Here's one in the news

    http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/outrage-over-toble…

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