WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

[funkyboogy]

this is poster from a shop in my hometown 1973 selling goods

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/561481_370676846337583_295702639_n.jpg

[kwatt]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

Hotpoint washing machine in 1973: £105

Average UK salary in 1973: £2,567.74

Hotpoint washing machine in 2011: £220-600

Average UK salary in 2011: £30,875

Increase in salary over the period of 1202.42{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d}

Increase in cost of Hotpoint washing machine of 571.43{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} in the best case to argue that it’s kept pace with inflation, worst case about a 45{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} increase. Which it clearly hasn’t.

Meaning that, with the statistical head still on, that in 1973 a Hotpoint washer took up little over 4{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} of the annual average wage whereas today it represents a mere 1.9{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} for the most expensive model available, or a staggeringly low 0.7{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} for the bottom end model of an average salary today.

And people wonder why they’re not as good, they’re less than half the price they used to be would be a good reason. 😉

Good find.

K.

[Criscold]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

I remember getting £5-00 discount from a local shop delivering in the company van and installing the machine in the evening used to make all of £10-00 for my hard work and was well pleased at the time

[funkyboogy]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

i suppose when they bought a budget machine back in the day it actually worked for a couple of years ,

now if they get a couple of months there doing well.

their should be a proper guide out their to explain what customer are actually getting for their money ..

maybe like trip adviser , we could have sh££t advised ..

lol

[Allsorts]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

Yes, but in 1973 you actually bought a propper washing machine… Nowadays, you buy a breakdown that is currently still working.

George

[tj5793]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

I bought a Creda washer dryer in 1987 from the factory shop for £437 with 33{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} staff discount now your had pressed to by a washer dryer for that price.
2 sets of bearings and I can’t remember how many sets of carbons later it was replaced in 2009 with a Samsung washer that touch wood hasn’t faulted yet but only cost £200 don’t think it will last that long!!!

[EFS]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

First new washing machine I bought was in 1983 and was an Ariston LB818 (800 spin 18 Programs TOP OF THE RANGE) cost with staff discount was about £198.
I got one for Mum & Dad at the same time.

Ours was absolutely hammered by boiling terry nappies for two kids plus ‘er indoors wouldn’t have a soaking bucket and when a nappy came off it went in the washer for a rinse cycle.
It lasted 14 years with 1 bearing change and only went when I couldn’t get a timer for it.

Mum’s went on for 23 years ’til the drum support dissolved.

I have ISE now which probably cost the same in real terms.

Steve

[lee8]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

Jesus listening to you lot its a surprise you all had jobs in this industry back then.

Or maybe the memory is a little rose tinted.

I started in the 80’s and I’m as busy today as I was then.

Personally the more sh83 that breaks the better, but then again a new model or brand does not send me into a cold sweat and as the stats say there far cheaper now.

The only difference I’ve notice between then and now is people seem to be far less intelligent today than back then, people seemed to understand that a pocket full of pennies is likely to cause hassle, overloading.

I doubt even a washer from 1973 would last long in a family home today.

I’ve been to an elderly lady this week, 4 yr old built in single oven, looks as if it was bought last week, sparkling and she bakes cakes weekly in it, been also to a range cooker in your typical middle class family,3 kids, both parents drive Audi’s both work, large detached house on a new estate and its less than a yr old, looks like a pile of sh88, you would not want to eat anything out of it, hinges etc etc full of cooking grease, looks like its 80 yrs old. Typical type of people who no matter how hard you try to arrange anything its hassle to them, the type you see in Gastro pubs with kids that cannot be controlled, all money and no manners.

Its not always the appliance, I find people seem to believe they have no responsibility in the way a product is treated anymore, maybe that is due to the low cost of the product, maybe if it cost £1500 they’d appreciate in the way people in the 70’s did. 😉

[kwatt]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

Of course, back then you could strip a motor down and replace the commutator or field coils, often the tacho and carbons too.

Now, you just have to change the whole motor, in some cases even for carbons.

You could also do things like, strip down a pump and replace only the faulty component, replace a timer coil, replace bearing which you can no longer do on a heap of machines.

And so on.

I don’t entirely disagree with you Lee but I do think that the modularisation of components which seem to be purely for reasons of lowering production cost has made many repairs prohibitive on a cost basis.

And, for out of warranty repairs the fact remains that, for the consumer at least, the thought of a replacement isn’t as much of a deterrent which sorta forced them down the repair route in the past as, relatively, the machines are much cheaper now to just replace. I’d wager that many see that as the “less hassle” option.

For in warranty/insurance repairs, which are far, far less profitable then there may well be an increase which is fine, if you’re making money at it.

K.

[lee8]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

I was editting my post when you replied.

I believe a lot of the issue is down to the culture change, life/attitude has changed.

I’ve just got rid of our Microwave, nothing wrong with it, works fine, cost me £25 from Tesco’s.

I changed it for the new Fagor Sputnik Microwave £180 from Amazon, I got it out of looks, goes great in the kitchen and is pretty good.

I showed my mother and she thinks we’re mad, getting rid of a perfectly good appliance just because I felt like it.

But that’s life in the 21st century.

[Martin]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

I’ve no idea what lee8 is on or talks about but clearly his view of the industry has got seriously warped in the time he’s been in it obviously!

The subject matter is 1973 and back then twin tubs were the main must have purchase. Auto’s were only just breaking ground toward most folks mindset as most just had a sink with hot and cold taps. Few had space enough to plumb in an auto and separate waste outlet. That’s when DIY plumbing kits came to the fore, self seating stops cocks and drain couplings allowing easier excuse to buy an automatic.

Indesit were selling big time back then as were Servis and the much loved Hoover Keymatic. Creda, English Electic and Hotpoint were making ground on the big three. Higher purchase was the way forward for most sales at that time and 3 year repayment terms the most popular option. Reliability was never questionable then and extended warranties not an option.

[lee8]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

Martin wrote:I’ve no idea what lee8 is on or talks about but clearly his view of the industry has got seriously warped in the time he’s been in it obviously!

Your kinda proving my point. :rotfl:

Read the 2nd post as a start point and work slowly towards the end, that may help you. :rolls:

[leavemetogetonwithit]

Re: WASHING MACHINE PRICE 1973

Martin wrote: Higher purchase was the way forward for most sales at that time

Ah yes, the social climbers with lofty ambitions living in tower blocks?
Of course many of the blocks have been pulled down long since and it would seem that we now only have a hired purchase on our very island(s) to some anonymous bankers.
So nothing much changes, only the flies, and the word order.
Yes, those people now just purchase Haier. 😛
Mike.

[Author]

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