Moen bath fixtures all plastic now?!

[Anonymous]

13:19 yes, we do have some plastic pipes. My concern about the plastic fixtures is that they are so lightweight--- like, a piece of tupperware with a, 'chrome.' coating--- that they would not stand up to even modest wear. The plastic tub spout was so light, it was like holding a piece of empty gladware. This was an over $100 Moen shower/tub set. I will double check with the plumber about whatever we end up buying.

[Anonymous]

Grohe and Hansgrohe are different companies. I called Grohe a while back to verify the claim that Home Depot stuff is of lesser quality than the faucets contractors buy and was told no, it's all the same stuff.

[Anonymous]

We bought delta and American standard. All metal and ceramic valves.

[Anonymous]

Kohler you get at HD/Lowes is not the same as Kohler from a design center or specialty store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kohler you get at HD/Lowes is not the same as Kohler from a design center or specialty store.

What's the difference (aside from price)?

[Anonymous]

The difference is in the quality of materials. HD/Lowes fixtures are plastic, the design center fixtures are metal.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad I know this... I didn't realize earlier that so many of the HD/Lowes fixtures are plastic.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone tried the Speakman brand of fixtures? I know their showerheads have a good reputation, and they are making other fixtures now. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just learned about this from builder - and then friend/designer confirmed - there is a difference btw what is sold online and at home depot (all plastic inside) and what is sold at the plumbing supply stores (metal). My builder told me he will no longer install any plumbing fixtures purchased online - they aren't the same (all plastic).

This makes zero sense to me (that a company would do this) but I guess that is how it is. So I think you can still get Moen - you just have to get it at the plumbing store. Same with Kohler and other brands. Perhaps there are some online vendors that sell the real deal - but you'd probably want to confirm first.
Good luck.

Yes, i just learned this recently too.

[Anonymous]

I was at Home Depot a few weeks ago trying to find faucets to replace old ones I have after countertop install. I decided to stay with the Kohler ones I have, as they are maybe $400/apiece. I found the Home Depot stuff to be junk. I brought the old faucet with me for comparison.

I talked to a bunch of people, and you pretty much have to go to a place like Ferguson to get the good stuff. I actually found my old faucet there. Unfortunately, the good stuff is expensive, minimum $300 each. So I ended up staying with what I had (I would have had to pay $2K to replace what I have now with the same model.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:19 yes, we do have some plastic pipes. My concern about the plastic fixtures is that they are so lightweight--- like, a piece of tupperware with a, 'chrome.' coating--- that they would not stand up to even modest wear. The plastic tub spout was so light, it was like holding a piece of empty gladware. This was an over $100 Moen shower/tub set. I will double check with the plumber about whatever we end up buying.

Yes, that's cheap. You won't get all metal fixtures for that price. See my post from a few minutes ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just learned about this from builder - and then friend/designer confirmed - there is a difference btw what is sold online and at home depot (all plastic inside) and what is sold at the plumbing supply stores (metal). My builder told me he will no longer install any plumbing fixtures purchased online - they aren't the same (all plastic).

This makes zero sense to me (that a company would do this) but I guess that is how it is. So I think you can still get Moen - you just have to get it at the plumbing store. Same with Kohler and other brands. Perhaps there are some online vendors that sell the real deal - but you'd probably want to confirm first.
Good luck.

Yes, i just learned this recently too.

I am one of the PP, in disbelief about this. If a product has the same reference number at Ferguson and at HD/Lowes (not talking about the lines produced only for one of the big box stores here) and you call Moen enquiring about whether the components are made from metal or from plastic, do they ask you where you bought the product? If not, then you know they are identical. I would need for someone to disassemble the products to believe that they are different.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I believe anything that has been written here. At home depot you can click on the "specifications" link if you scroll down on any faucet. I checked out several brands relatively cheap faucet sets (between $70-$100) and they all say metal construction. Some with chrome plating. Of course some of the components like the cartridge will be plastic. Here is one example:
https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/32/3268a656-70bb-4735-8fe5-528820a795c5.pdf

I'm not sure which one OP bought that was plastic?? COuld it be that you have mistaken something being lightweight for plastic? I believe many of the faucets use aluminum which is very soft and light.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just learned about this from builder - and then friend/designer confirmed - there is a difference btw what is sold online and at home depot (all plastic inside) and what is sold at the plumbing supply stores (metal). My builder told me he will no longer install any plumbing fixtures purchased online - they aren't the same (all plastic).

This makes zero sense to me (that a company would do this) but I guess that is how it is. So I think you can still get Moen - you just have to get it at the plumbing store. Same with Kohler and other brands. Perhaps there are some online vendors that sell the real deal - but you'd probably want to confirm first.
Good luck.

Yes, i just learned this recently too.

I am one of the PP, in disbelief about this. If a product has the same reference number at Ferguson and at HD/Lowes (not talking about the lines produced only for one of the big box stores here) and you call Moen enquiring about whether the components are made from metal or from plastic, do they ask you where you bought the product? If not, then you know they are identical. I would need for someone to disassemble the products to believe that they are different.

If it has the same exact reference number, then it should be the same exact product. What people are trying to say is that you won't have the same exact products in the two stores.

[Anonymous]

I had to get a very specific shiny brass configuration, so I went online and searched carefully. Wish I could remember the site! It was expensive but not ridiculous. It's heavy brass (or plated. Def metal). My plumber admired it on installation day.

I don't believe that light sh1t is metal. How are they saying it is?