I keep hearing about this, but I don't know if it's entirely true. They tell me that the so-called "big box retailers" buy in such large quantities they can have the manufacturer modify their products. For example, a television set may have features eliminated to reduce the price. It may look like the one sold in other stores, but some parts may be left out or replaced with parts of reduced quality. For example, it may have cheaper speakers.

We bought an automatic washer less than three years ago. It was a major brand that has always been known for reliability. (In fact their repairmen had nothing to do.)

This machine broke a belt, jammed the transmission and burned out the water pump. Why? Because it was a cheap washing machine in an expensive shell. That was the way the big box people ordered it. One repairman refused to even come and look at it when he heard the model number. He told us what the big box folks had done and said that particular model was not worth fixing. So we called another repairman and he tried, but failed to fix it. We had to buy a new washer. This time we shopped at a small store.

I have a lawn mower, bought from a big box, and it doesn't have those little rollers on the side to keep it from scalping on turns. The blade height adjustment has five notches, but only one works. The hydrostatic drive makes a sound unlike the other hydrostatics in the neighborhood. I got it for a good price, but I don't think it was a bargain. It doesn't do a neat job, but it cuts grass.

Has anybody else heard of this?
Howard