Still working after 35+ years

[gnappi]

When I got this espresso machine I had several cheap machines that didn't last much outside of their warranty so I got this one some 35+ years ago. It was silly expensive at something like $650 and I never expected it to last this long. While my usage comes and goes it always works.

It doesn't have Bluetooth, or WiFi (don't laugh new machines have it) but egads wouldn't it be nice if everything worked this well for so long?

 

[Bad Barlow]

When I got this espresso machine I had several cheap machines that didn't last much outside of their warranty so I got this one some 35+ years ago. It was silly expensive at something like $650 and I never expected it to last this long. While my usage comes and goes it always works.

It doesn't have Bluetooth, or WiFi (don't laugh new machines have it) but egads wouldn't it be nice if everything worked this well for so long?

"Egads " ,now there's an explitive you don't hear much anymore, but I like it! Congratulations on the espresso machine, I hope you didn't jinx it by ( justifiably) bragging on it!

 

[Kevin]

Sweet! 35 years is a long time. But it doesn’t have many moving parts.

We bought a Jura, just the cheap model. It only lasted about 3 years.

Then we bought a Phillips, the cheapest model again. It’s about 3 years old and we had to buy a new motor for $40. But it was easy enough to swap it out.

 

[gnappi]

"Egads " ,now there's an explitive you don't hear much anymore, but I like it! Congratulations on the espresso machine, I hope you didn't jinx it by ( justifiably) bragging on it!

My aunt used to use egads all of the time, I've used it since preschool

 

[blume357]

I resemble this post......

 

[gunzo]

The newer stuff with solid state controls, plus a timer & digital clock are the ones that don't last. A heater & hotplate can be long lasting but the controls are fragile in the first place and susceptible to power surges. One failed five cent component fails, & shuts down the entire system.

Just the simple Mr. Coffee type coffee makers with a mechanical off/on switch last 3-4 times longer than a digital one in my house. Add to the fact that some things were made better(read, more durable) than they are now. This reminded me to ask the better half if she had a certain Crock pot when we married. Said she got that as a gift 50 years ago, & it works better than her newer ones.

We now live in a throwaway world.

 

[contender]

"We now live in a throwaway world."

The companies WANT you to buy something, use it for a while, then it dies. That way you buy ANOTHER one. Keeps them in business. They don't want to build a product that lasts a lifetime. They don't want to build quality. They don't want to build something you can work on & repair.

But the few companies that DO build quality products that last a lifetime,, may cost a bit more,, but they all seem to do a good business. Quality isn't cheap,, but it's value is priceless. (A good example is Dillon Precision Reloading. Lifetime guarantee.)

 

[coach]

I have a small fan that a college roommate left. It’s over 40 years old. Not on the same level as an espresso machine though which I wouldn’t expect to last more than 10 years. A couple drops of oil in the motor a few times a year when in use has kept it going even though it is a little banged up. Made in the USA as you might guess.

 

[Paladin]

During her visits, my sister always nags me about replacing my 45-year-old Harvest Gold kitchen appliances because the color is dated. I reply that since the appliances look like new and work perfectly I'm not going to replace them just for a color change. Plus, the new appliances aren't made as well.

While at her house for dinner a few weeks ago she asked me to check out her 8-year-old refrigerator because it didn't seem to be cooling very well. She had replaced an older working refrigerator with the new one strictly for a decor change. After checking it out, I advised her the compressor was most likely bad and would need to be replaced. She doubted my diagnosis due to the age of the refrigerator.

She called me at home the next evening to tell me the service tech who checked out her refrigerator told her the compressor was shot and would need to be replaced. But advised her the money would be better spent on a new refrigerator. She asked the tech, "The refrigerator is only 8-years-old, how could the compressor have failed already"? He told her 8 to 10 years was the average life expectancy of new appliances.

In disbelief she said, "But my brother has a refrigerator thats 45-years-old and it's still running fine". He shook his finger at her and said, "And you tell him to never get rid of that refrigerator because they don't make them like that anymore".

She doesn't nag me about changing the color of my appliances anymore.

 

[tazbigdog]

I have a Cuisinart that is 21 years old. When I move, i’ll give it to Goodwill. It was $129 when new.

 

[Danjet500]

This;
"He shook his finger at her and said, "And you tell him to never get rid of that refrigerator because they don't make them like that anymore".

I had some warranty work done on a newer refrigerator when the repairman noticed our older washer and dryer. He asked if we had ever had any issues with them and I said no, not yet. He replied "If you haven't had any yet you probably never will. Keep them because they don't make them like that anymore." This was ten years ago. We still have the same washer and dryer. Going on 22 years now.

 

[peachhead]

We bought our washing machine and dryer in 2006. We were thinking about getting new ones but I couldn't find any of that got good enough reviews that I thought would last near as long as these have. Also I've had these long enough to where I know how to work on them. Lol

 

[GasGuzzler]

I am still working after about 35 years. Do I get a reward?

 

[eveled]

I’m super cheap and easy to please. Instant coffee is fine for me.

I also like to stop at supply houses for free coffee. I bring my own mug. I very much enjoy drinking from a real mug.

 

[gnappi]

I am still working after about 35 years. Do I get a reward?

Yes, something like $250 from the social security admin as a death benefit... actually your survivors get that :-(

 

[Brant]

Our Kenmore washer and dryer set was bought 30 years ago and still going strong. As newly weds, we needed appliances. A trip to the local Sears got us the set that we paid for monthly. A fine pair that has only needed a little maintenance. Luckily they are simple to work on

 

[Watertender]

Our Kenmore washer and dryer set was bought 30 years ago and still going strong. As newly weds, we needed appliances. A trip to the local Sears got us the set that we paid for monthly. A fine pair that has only needed a little maintenance. Luckily they are simple to work on

In my father in law's basement is a washer and dryer that my wife bought in 1986 in South Dakota when she was a nurse at the Pine Ridge Reservation. They still work today and he is still using them.