Browse Forums Bathrooms and Laundry 1 Apr 12, 2011 5:20 pm I've been given second hand plumber's advice that it's worth getting a Caroma toilet because you can always get the parts to repair them. What do you think? Is it worth spending a bit more to get a Caroma on the off-chance you need it repaired years later? Are there any other benefits offered by Caroma like superior porcelain or better internal bits and pieces? Or is a toilet a toilet and you're just paying for the name/styling? Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 2Apr 12, 2011 5:54 pm I owned my first home for 8yrs, the first home we built for 4yrs, one of our rentals for 4yrs and this home now for 18mths. They all had generic no name toilets installed whilst we lived in them. We never had to replace a toilet or fittings for any of them in all that time. This new home we needed 6 toilets - we found nice modern streamline ones at Bunnings for a third of what a name brand would cost us. We wanted a close coupled, flush to wall, soft close seats - these toilets ticked all the boxes. We actually have another one in the storage shed ready for when the pool house it built. Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 3Apr 12, 2011 11:45 pm kyton like you I need five toilets and our plumber who has been such a fussy bugger with fixtures actually recommended the toilets you are talking about! We are going for them too!!!! k Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 4Apr 13, 2011 8:19 am You may want to check out the Stylus range (http://www.stylus.com.au/) They are effectively re-branded Caroma. All internal parts still have Caroma stamped on it. But at a fraction of the cost. The Stylus brand should be available from all major plumbing outlets. Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 8Apr 15, 2011 9:40 am One main point to look at with toilets is if it comes with a parts only warranty or a service warranty. You will find most cheaper toilets..like tapware come with a parts only warranty. That mean if you have a fault lets say a flushing unit that is not sealing correctly. You have to remove it, take it to the supplier, then get a replacement part and fit it. Now for some handy people that is fine, but if you need to engage a plumber to do it for you it can cost significantly more. Also there are other brands than Caroma which stock parts for each individual item. But too me I also recommend to clients products that come with a parts and labour warranty. Cheers Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 9Apr 15, 2011 10:39 pm We have Caroma toilets (one of the very first dual-flush) and our house is coming up for 22 years old in July. We've needed over the years a number of "kits" for repair leaks and drips, and have had no trouble getting parts at all. The last time, I forget what the issue was (something with the fill valve IIRC) and the local plumbing supply (Reece) sold us a non-Caroma "drop-in" replacement. I guess Caroma parts are like Toyota parts, the General Store 150 miles east of the Black Stump will have the parts you need !! Having said that, whenever I need to get a seal / washer / whatever from Bunnings not only do they have Caroma parts, they also seem to have parts for just about every other loo made by anyone else too ............ P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 10Apr 18, 2011 8:43 am Thanks, everyone, for the good advice. I'd never heard of Stylus but now see the Caroma website even links to the Stylus website... I'll definitely now be looking for a service plus parts warranty - thanks for that really helpful advice Zedman. Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 11Apr 18, 2011 9:19 am Zedman makes good points about warranty and service, BUT ............ Caroma loos only comes with a 12 month warranty and as they say, after that you're on your own. More reliable then others ?? Possibly ......... Having said that, with any loo out of warranty that needs parts / service there's only two options, get a plumber or do it yourself. If you can change a tap washer, or if you are a "Little old lady" who cannot change a tap washer but has a son / grandson / nephew (or lady equivalent ) then any toilet repairs are likely to be no more challenging then changing a tap washer. However, if changing a tap-washer is above your skill-level or tooling capability, then either way you're gonna be needing a plumber !! P_D . Block settled 07 June 2011 Our little piece of the Interwebs on HomeOne....... viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48577&start=0 Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 12Apr 18, 2011 9:47 pm as a plumber who has serviced hundreds of toilets over a 20 year period, the short answer is yes. what is sold in large retail warehouse style hardwares today, might not be sold there tomorrow as they buy in bulk from whoever is the cheapest. Yes some of you guys have had a good run with generic "no-name toilets", but ask yourself, why would your plumber and other plumbers who spend all there time in toilets say "buy a caroma".?? is it because he is secretly a part owner in caroma..?? i think not. i could mention 10 brand names that cost more to repair than to buy a caroma outright. anyway, why trust a professional..??? the poor man buys twice i say.!!!! Re: Is it worth getting a Caroma toilet? 13Apr 19, 2011 9:19 am Thank you Richard W, now I've had first and second-hand plumber advice to buy Caroma I think that settles it. Now I just have to drag my husband to a bathroom display and get him to test out the seats (it's pathetic but I can't bring myself to do it). In fairness nobody gave a crap about the ACCC and the gag clauses continued in the pro forma templates of a few other builders after the ACCC took on Wisdom, and more… 19 73525 Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14458 Hi everyone. I am a single mother with little daughter, living in a small tourist town in WA Australia. I am thinking to install security screens to all the doors and… 0 25241 |