US build quality
#31
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,717
Re: US build quality
In the UK we are used to a minimum 12 month warranty, to being protected by such nonsensical buzz phrases as "of merchantable quality".
I have bought electronic items in the US that have a 90 day warranty, 90 days FFS!
In my experience build quality is poor; my Jeep was the top of the range when it was new, but the build quality is cack. I'm glad I bought it used (sorry I mean 'pre-owned'), I would have been very upset spending good money on such a poorly constructed car. The wife has a blazer, its only 2 years old and its junk, windows stick if you try and close them when your driving, handles cracked from minimal use.
I never gave much thought to warranties in the UK; I had to adjust my shopping to buying items with at least 12 months warranty, and even consider the extended warranty for costlier items.
I have bought electronic items in the US that have a 90 day warranty, 90 days FFS!
In my experience build quality is poor; my Jeep was the top of the range when it was new, but the build quality is cack. I'm glad I bought it used (sorry I mean 'pre-owned'), I would have been very upset spending good money on such a poorly constructed car. The wife has a blazer, its only 2 years old and its junk, windows stick if you try and close them when your driving, handles cracked from minimal use.
I never gave much thought to warranties in the UK; I had to adjust my shopping to buying items with at least 12 months warranty, and even consider the extended warranty for costlier items.
Since moving here we bought a Westinghouse TV which broke down almost immediately and had to have a complete new board. Ford car had to have front axle replaced. American kettle only worked for about 2 weeks. Now a brand new water heater has stopped working, installer says we have to deal with it through manufacturers under warranty - no message service, I have to call them during office hours.
On this showing I would characterise American products as
On this showing I would characterise American products as
#34
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: US build quality
In the UK we are used to a minimum 12 month warranty, to being protected by such nonsensical buzz phrases as "of merchantable quality".
I have bought electronic items in the US that have a 90 day warranty, 90 days FFS!
I never gave much thought to warranties in the UK; I had to adjust my shopping to buying items with at least 12 months warranty, and even consider the extended warranty for costlier items.
I have bought electronic items in the US that have a 90 day warranty, 90 days FFS!
I never gave much thought to warranties in the UK; I had to adjust my shopping to buying items with at least 12 months warranty, and even consider the extended warranty for costlier items.
https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...AQ&type=intFAQ
#35
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,717
Re: US build quality
I had an Amex in the UK, but from memory they charged a fee for the card so I cancelled it. Maybe I'll look at the whole idea of an Amex again.
Thanks for the headsup
Thanks for the headsup
We try to pay for virtually everything we buy with our American Express cards. They will extend your warranty free of charge eg. if you buy a laptop and the manufacturer's warranty expires after 90 days, if you bought it with your Amex card the warranty is extended by a further 90 days. They do it for a time equal to the period on the original warranty, up to one year on warranties of 5 years or less:
https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...AQ&type=intFAQ
https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...AQ&type=intFAQ
#36
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: US build quality
We try to pay for virtually everything we buy with our American Express cards. They will extend your warranty free of charge eg. if you buy a laptop and the manufacturer's warranty expires after 90 days, if you bought it with your Amex card the warranty is extended by a further 90 days. They do it for a time equal to the period on the original warranty, up to one year on warranties of 5 years or less:
https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...AQ&type=intFAQ
https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...AQ&type=intFAQ
#41
Re: US build quality
I have an Amex card through Costco...just Costco's annual fee to pay. The card doubles as a CC and a Costco membership card...there's a photo on the back for ID.
#42
Back where I belong!
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
Posts: 5,989
Re: US build quality
Then when the equipment gets there, they say they are sending someone out to install some free updates, then the engineer fixes it...some of the time! True story!
#44
Re: US build quality
I drive old cars because I can fix them myself. I don’t need all the modern technology that can break and cost plenty to fix. I’m not saying it’s not great to start your car from in the house or have a DVD player in the back seat…..
I have 2 toaster ovens in my garage. One the switch is bad so you have to plug it in (that turns it on) and then unplug to turn off. The second one I have had apart several times and fixed bad connections. I suppose I should throw them away. The current new one has stopped making toast and now bakes my bread. The toast setting is the same as bake!
Some where in the garage is my Mom’s old 2 slice toaster… It worked fine when I put it away …it was just old fashioned.
I like old fashioned toast with jam
I have 2 toaster ovens in my garage. One the switch is bad so you have to plug it in (that turns it on) and then unplug to turn off. The second one I have had apart several times and fixed bad connections. I suppose I should throw them away. The current new one has stopped making toast and now bakes my bread. The toast setting is the same as bake!
Some where in the garage is my Mom’s old 2 slice toaster… It worked fine when I put it away …it was just old fashioned.
I like old fashioned toast with jam
#45
Re: US build quality
You most definitely had not had good luck. Sorry to hear that. I would never buy any applicance from Westinghouse or Electric Electric. I've had Sears' Kenimore washing machines which have lasted well over 8 years without needing repair and presently have a Roper refrigerator which I purchased 10 years ago and it still works beautifully. I bought a brand new Ford in 1991 and passed that on to my daughter in 2000 and she only got rid of it in 2005. Never had it in for anything other than oil changes, tune-ups and brakes. Also had two Amanda <sp> a/c which were purchased in 1992 and they are still working fine. My husband has a 2001 Plymouth Neon and never had a problem with it and it has almost 100,000 miles on it. Wish I could rub a little of our luck off on you.