UPDATE: See the great update to this story at “My Toilet Seats, Total Redemption, and Social Media” - a great example of the positive power of Social Media. Bemis Manufacturing Company comes through and leads the way when business behavior and social media intersect.
You may not know that I have a tendency from time to time to fight a product manufacturer for producing a product that I feel is substandard. I don’t take up the fight all the time. But, once in a while I do because I feel it is important to. Perhaps if more people did so, we would start to see products that last again.
That’s right, I generally believe that many of the products we are told are better today, are actually worse products today than they were 20 years ago. I am old enough to remember the Kenmore washer and dryer my mother had that lasted well over 20 years. I am old enough to remember the solid construction of bicycles and other items. I remember Transformer toys being made of die-cast metal and sturdy as opposed to their completely plastic counterparts today.
It wasn’t such a disposable society back then because the products weren’t so disposable. They were good and they lasted.
Coming back to my topic on Bemis Manufacturing Company toilet seats. I realize this is a dirty venture but someone has to say it. Suffice to say, I keep a pretty clean house and have cleaners who come as well. Though I have two small kids, I like the house to be clean. For your information as well, I have two new seats that I am putting on now to replace these ones. So, here goes.
Bemis Toilet Seats - Apparently Mine Not Made to Last Anymore
Here are two toilet seats that are (were) in my house as of this post. Like I said, I am about to switch them out with replacements. The seats in question are exactly 1 year and 5 months old. How do I know? Because that’s when I moved into my house. Any time I buy a home, I replace the toilet seats. I don’t care how good the previous ones looked (assuming they weren’t brand new), I like to replace them.
Price for each toilet seat (I don’t buy the cheapo plastic ones though it seems clear that maybe they would have lasted longer): $25.99 each + tax
The problems you see didn’t just start last week, they have been developing. And though I know they are cleaned regularly, they look pitiful. Notice how the underside has all but peeled off. This has been going on for some time. As well, see how the metal hinges are literally corroding? Apparently, these haven’t been tested for durability and longevity. Or, maybe the manufacturer is aware of it but is not concerned because their 1 year warranty will no longer apply and they look forward to your purchase of a new seat after a shorter time than in the past.
From Bemis Manufacturing Company website:
“Quality. Craftsmanship. Innovation. These are the founding principles that have shaped the Bemis Manufacturing Company for generations. We manufacture the products that might be taken for granted, and we make them better, stronger, and more exciting every year! Because at Bemis, we have Higher Standards for Everyday Products™.”
I am going to disagree here. The seats are breaking down on multiple levels in terms whether it be the undersurface or the metal on the mounts (these pictures are from each of the seats I have). If this is what taking a product that has been around for a hundred years and making it better, then perhaps we might have something that lasts longer than 1 year in another 100 years.
And did I mention that I spent over $50 for these things?
Personally, my belief is that this product made today is less durable than one made 20 years ago and probably costs more.
Good for the Environment?
I caught sight of this off a Bemis Manufacturing Company toilet seat box. It made me think about my situation and so here is a ‘back-of-the-blog’ calculation on what it would mean to be truly environmentally friendly.
Let’s say that toilet seats now have an average lifespan of 1.5 years (based on my experience), that there are 75 million households in the United States, and each household has an average of 1.5 toilet seats. I am making this stuff up but probably am not way over or under the mark.
If and toilet seat manufacturers, through technological advances and good ol’ fashioned quality workmanship, stretch that to 3.0 years…
We could save the environment by reducing the materials and pollution associated with making 112,500,000 toilet seats in the first place!
Now, I realize I am having a little fun here but the point is that the product isn’t quality if it doesn’t last and it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference evironmentally if it doesn’t last as long as it could or otherwise should.
We Should Get More for Our Money, Not Just Expect More
When I go to Sears to buy a clothes washer and am looking at a $800 clothes washer, I should be able to ask and be told that that Kenmore washer should last 15-20 years. Today’s answer is somewhere around 7-10 years . By the way, why do I feel compelled to purchase the extended warranty to make sure I get those years out of the unit?
Many people feel that we should expect more for our money. Given the recession and the more difficult times for many, I believe we should get more for our money again. Not just expect it, but receive it.
If you have a story about an appliance or other consumer product for your home or at your home that has lasted for you, please share it here!
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Yeah, but if toilet seat manufacturer’s increase the quality of the seats, then they won’t have as many repeat customers. The environment is the least of their concerns….
That can be very true. Check out my update Alan to see how Bemis responded.
The same thing happened to me with my 1 year old Bemis toilet seats!!!! I bought 4 of them and they are all peeling on the hardware.
I would contact Bemis and explain the problem as well as send photos. I am sure they will be sure to help you here if you are having the same problem.
You should try a solid oak toilet seat where the metal fittings have a PVD treatment. It is reckoned that natural oak product will last 3 generations.