Is this true??

[Westcoastwild]

I had a plumber recently tell me that if you want a quality faucet you should go to a plumbing supply store to purchase one as they carry the higher quality ones. He said the big box store faucets aren't really made to last long and not to be surprised if those lasted 5-8 years

Our big box store ones are still going strong after 15 so I'm doubtful of that.

Our real problem is the idiot who installed the kitchen pipes originally. Doesn't matter what quality of disposal you buy if the pipes can't be trusted

 

[tvguy]

Read reviews? Look at specifications? Hunt down a faucet specialist or plumber and get them to educate you on the ways of faucets? That's pretty much what I do.

Plastic does not necessarily mean bad, btw. Bad design means bad. Faucets can be kind of tricky because often the money difference is aesthetic (chrome would be cheaper than bronze and you want whatever matches your fixtures).

But I've had less expensive stuff last for years and expensive stuff that is a pita to install and fix, so much of it is down to design and preference. It's just generally there's a price that translates into "will need replacing next year".

One other difference is warranty. 90 days for the plastic version, lifetime for the brass version. Assuming they are identical designs, there would be no difference in the installation difficulty.
Some people are very much into style. We replaced 35 year old fixtures when we remodeled. They were out of style several times over, functioned fine, but the finish was coming off. Some people I know would have replaced them 3 or 4 times in that time just for style reasons even if they functioned fine.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Our contractor told us not to buy our appliances, faucets etc at big box stores because they are made differently than those sold at small retailers. He said they use plastic parts and are made cheaper. That sounds dishonest to me!

That's exactly what my sister told me that someone ( I think plumber) told her. Shortly after moving into her home, she kept having problems with her kitchen sink. I just started a remodel on my master bathroom and I did not go the Home Depot or Lowe's route. I went to a place that sold faucets, showers, tubs, sinks, etc. A LOT more choices, much better customer service and attention.

 

[Tink_83]

I agree with the check by model number, in the end a little more now will save you down the road in repair costs and hassle.

Also, I'm sure you won't make this mistake but just in case, make sure you buy fixtures for standard American plumbing. Sometimes you can find high end items from Europe but they don't fit here in the US with out a lot of extra effort. I only mention this because my land lady decided she wanted square tolites (don't, just don't, they are awkward to sit on and if you have a potty training toddler they are even more fun) anyway she found them at some specality retailer but they are European and don't fit correctly. The only one that we know for sure has leaked was the one over the kitchen and when the plumbers came out they were shocked to find the toilet installed without a flange (like call the other plumbers and share the story type of shocked)

Which is the last piece of my advice for you don't just use a jack of all trades contractor instead someone who will preferably oversee the various trades as they come in and work... part of the issue is that while a plumber wouldn't have installed the toilets (the guys out to fix them refused because they could not buy parts that would work with the toilet, hence why there was no flange in the first place) but the general contractor that did all of the remodel updates did try to put it in with copious amounts of caulk to keep it water tight...

Oh and the other toilets are over places that make it hard to see if they are leaking... not our problem because we rent and are leaving but if I'd been her I'd have pulled them (well I wouldn't put in a 2000 dollar toilet, which is how much they cost, to begin with).

 

[crisi]

I had a plumber recently tell me that if you want a quality faucet you should go to a plumbing supply store to purchase one as they carry the higher quality ones. He said the big box store faucets aren't really made to last long and not to be surprised if those lasted 5-8 years

I had a very expensive remodel done to my bathroom that included a $400 faucet for my tub from a plumbing supply store - a manufacturer highly recommended by the builder. We replaced it within a year because it had issues. I always buy my faucets from the plumber - because I have a contract - and we replace them every 5-10 years. Things just don't seem built to last.

My sister had to replace a Viking Professional range after less than five years.

 

[airsdaddy]

Was the manager at a small generator company for a number of years. We sold XYZ home generator for $3500. You could go to Lowes and buy XYZ-L generator for $3300. To the untrained eye, they looked the same. In reality, the two units used different control panels. There were things you could do with our control panel that the other unit couldn't (and they were actually useful to some people). Build aside from that was the same. Pretty sure the corporate company fixed this by allowing dealers to have access to the same units as the big box stores. Was no fun to lose a sale over something so minor, then have to install the unit they bought at the big box store!

While I wouldn't say always use the small/local place, I would say to check them out and ask questions before heading to the big box store. Definitely do as much research as possible. At worst, you waste a little of your time. But every now and then, you figure out what the differences are and whether you are willing to trade off for saving some money.

 

[tvguy]

- and we replace them every 5-10 years. Things just don't seem built to last.
My sister had to replace a Viking Professional range after less than five years.

Like I said, if you want to replacement sooner fine, but all my faucets have life time warranty, and I plan on living a long time!

Less than 5 years on any range is unacceptable to me.

 

[crisi]

Like I said, if you want to replacement sooner fine, but all my faucets have life time warranty, and I plan on living a long time!

Less than 5 years on any range is unacceptable to me.

It was unacceptable to her. And my faucets are replaced for free and have a lifetime warranty on them. They are just good faucets - and I still replace them regularly. My point isn't that this is acceptable - my point is that this is reality - no matter how much you spend. Buy a product where the manufacturer stands behind it. Because it may break. You can get those at big box stores, or little shops - it isn't the retailer.

 

[Westcoastwild]

It was unacceptable to her. And my faucets are replaced for free and have a lifetime warranty on them. They are just good faucets - and I still replace them regularly. My point isn't that this is acceptable - my point is that this is reality - no matter how much you spend. Buy a product where the manufacturer stands behind it. Because it may break. You can get those at big box stores, or little shops - it isn't the retailer.

Right. That's definitely a good point. The retail source doesn't determine the quality of the product. The manufacturer, its production, and its customer service is ultimately what you want to look at.

 

[Westcoastwild]

One other difference is warranty. 90 days for the plastic version, lifetime for the brass version. Assuming they are identical designs, there would be no difference in the installation difficulty.
Some people are very much into style. We replaced 35 year old fixtures when we remodeled. They were out of style several times over, functioned fine, but the finish was coming off. Some people I know would have replaced them 3 or 4 times in that time just for style reasons even if they functioned fine.

Ah, right. I'm always forgetting warranty for some reason.

Also I have no idea about faucets, but some appliances that are higher end are made to be repaired (common parts, repair parts that are easy to get and won't be discontinued) while lower end appliances are seen as disposable so they aren't made to be repaired.

And then there's the external factor of do you have someone who can service the appliance in the area. My mother's sewing machine is a hassle if it breaks because it means driving several hours to the nearest dealer.

 

[tvguy]

Ah, right. I'm always forgetting warranty for some reason.

Also I have no idea about faucets, but some appliances that are higher end are made to be repaired (common parts, repair parts that are easy to get and won't be discontinued) while lower end appliances are seen as disposable so they aren't made to be repaired.

And then there's the external factor of do you have someone who can service the appliance in the area. My mother's sewing machine is a hassle if it breaks because it means driving several hours to the nearest dealer.

If an appliance costs more than $100 wholesale, California requires parts be available for 7 years after manufacture*. My brother fixed TV for years, and that always frustrated him because the law is never enforced.

*http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1793.03

 

[tzolkin]

Sometimes the packaging will say "Sold exclusively at ___" and have the store logo (Target, Lowes, etc). Then you know for sure that you are getting a model that is different.

 

[DOREEN1779]

Manufacturers doe create products sold specifically for certain stores. These are considered contractors models. You can tell by the serial number. Think of the sears Kenmore line, Kenmore can only be bought at Sears but was manufactured by Whirlpool. While Kenmore is good, Whirlpool Gold and KitchenAid Products are better quality ( and more expensive ) These contractors models usually have more mainstream dimensions and less bell and whistle features.

 

[DOREEN1779]

Also, contractors models do tend to use less expensive material. An example would be plywood encasing the back of a refrigerator or how it is packaged in transit. Just shrink wrapping a refrigerator can cause a lot of damage when it is moved but it cuts down on cost...if you see a broken crisper drawer or cracked shelf, chances are the unit was dropped and you will start to experience problems in the future.

 

[kymom99]

Also, contractors models do tend to use less expensive material. An example would be plywood encasing the back of a refrigerator or how it is packaged in transit. Just shrink wrapping a refrigerator can cause a lot of damage when it is moved but it cuts down on cost...if you see a broken crisper drawer or cracked shelf, chances are the unit was dropped and you will start to experience problems in the future.

I once bought a stove and had it delivered. There was a dent in one side so I refused it. The salesman called and said I should have called him and he could have taked$50 off. Ummm no thanks. If it was mishandled I don't want it

 

[Anthony1971]

I can vouch for faucets... I purchased a Moen set for my shower/tub from a plumbing supply store--difference you buy the valve separate from the hardware and the cost is about 3 times what HD or Lowes sells it for-- I paid almost 550 the set bought the matching sink faucet at HD for around 200 (they sold the shower set as well which was less than the faucet)... the faucet has been nothing but problems and yes Moen does send the parts every other year to fix it (always leaks over time) the bath set has never had an issue....

 

[NotUrsula]

It's really hard with faucets. They look identical, but he said the ones at Lowes have plastic parts inside, so how is a consumer to know which retailers carry the well made products?

Simple test on faucets is how much the box weighs. An all-brass faucet is going to be heavy.

When I buy major appliances I look at reviews and at the mfr. websites. Once I decide which model I want, I email about 5 dealers with the specs, and sit back to see what they offer in terms of price. I do let them know that I'm taking bids from several dealers, and invariably one of them decides to undercut on price.