It's been said that the quality of plumbing fixtures of the same manufacturer and model vary if purchased from a big box store or a reputable plumbing supply house. Does the same hold true for toilets manufacturers like Toto, Kohler, etc?
Bird Doo, thanks for that exhaustive treatise and explanation. It helps much!I hope this may help you:
Some years ago, at the plumbing wholesaler where I used to purchase hydronic & steam items, the owner said they would get this question asked often. They did an experiment by taking apart, or sectional cutting &/or measuring several brands from several manufacturers of toilets, sinks, water heaters and faucets. They got way into it. Even customers were bringing in samples. The conference room looked like a trade show for plumbing autopsies.
I can't remember all the results, but the owner told me samples of Kohler, Toto & Gerber were the same whether at big box or wholesaler.
Central Brass, Pioneer & Olympia were the same big box or supply house. (Same company)
I think I remember that AO Smith rep told me they often sell two versions of the same unit, but they were named differently & had different controls whether at supplier or big box. I don't remember what the cut-and-gut experiment person told me.
American Standard was the worst offender:
He said American Standard brand had remarkable differences between same model toilet & sinks at big box or wholesaler.
Atlas has changed hands, so that was void. Grohe and Hans Grohe were not tested.
My own experience was that I bought two American Standard toilets from a big box. They didn't have good glazing; such as the underside of the wash rim was not glazed (a mold grabber). The bottoms of each were wavy so they would not sit flat to the floor. I returned them & bought at the wholesaler. Perfect glazing, different flush valve, metal flush arm and handle, flat bottom. Same model and lower price. I bought a lav sink. The flat where the tailpiece washer fits against was oval and wavy. Back it went.
Coincidence? Beats me.
The wholesaler where these were purchased wasn't the testing place, but the counterman told me the same thing- big box can be different.
Our Americast sink from a big box is a total disaster. Coating coming off, not-flat rim, etc. Even the holes were mis-drilled so the cold faucet handle crashes into the sprayer. That's what I get for being too lazy to go to the wholesaler.
So, I'd have to conclude that differences vary by brand and maybe even by which big box or hardware chain. And, maybe since Lixil bought American Standard, things have improved. I don't know.
Something else to consider it that sometimes items get returned as defective to big box, but go right back on the shelf. The tore may not have been told, or the return person did not care. I've purchased items with notes inside from the first purchaser saying it's defective. Recently I returned a defective impact driver & told the return clerk was defective. I put a mark on the box & a note inside. I went to the tool aisle to buy another and my bad one was already back on the shelf.
(A not related, but similar event: Once in a restaurant, I bit a dinner roll. Stuffed inside from the bottom was a note saying "I left this on my plate.". Yuck!)
The best toilets are either a Nebraska out house or a hole-in-the-ground like the Russians use.They’re all crap, some just crapier than others
I agree with the American standard. But several years ago they did have trouble with leaking at the tank to bowl connection. We had 3-4 toilets that had the same problem. I knew a contractor who had the same issue as well. And replacing the tank to bowl did not help at all. It would seem fine but then next morning there would be a small puddle on the floor.More people want cheap so the manufacturers are putting on the shelves what people want to buy, cheap products.
American Standard makes the best box store toilet, just get one with a flapper. Two piece.
If you’re worried it won’t sit flat just take it out of the box in the store and check it.
As did I. It faded in less than three months AND my stainless steel products made in China have rusted to a beautiful patina.I bought an American flag made in china once.
Enter your email address to join: