As above. I was just having a debate with my wife on whether we should go for a cheap two way bathroom tap or go for a Sorento


cheap China bathroom tap in Shopee


Sorento bathroom tap, SRT-79SS

I see a lot of buyers for the cheap tap, but read that most don't last. They leak, the handles come off, etc. But are they that bad? Have you ever bought a cheap tap and regret it? Or has yours lasted the years?


Thanks!

for long term go for sorento

Long term own stay, stick with Sorento

If it's not a lemon, it'll last you and be cheaper than the cost of constantly replacing the cheap stuff over a decade.

The cheap taps tend to be brittle and unable to last use, the parts like handle usually not true stainless steel.

This is a really interesting situation to consider. I have not used expensive taps, but I have had to change the valves, and cartridges, and rubber/plastic pieces, for my customers (because I do some handyman jobs for them) I honestly don't think the expensive stuff lasts proportionally longer than the cheap stuff. (Cheap one cost RM 30 and lasts 3 years, so RM 300 one should last 30 years? I don't find this true)

I personally use the S/steel cheap(ish) stuff. I can't say they last any less than the expensive stuff. And should they leak, it is easier to find the replacement parts as they are generic, as opposed to having to buy the specific brand cartridge/valve. Some of my cheap taps are in the 5 year range already, and if they go, then I'll just buy new ones. I just replaced a tap in my bathroom with another cheap one - it was 8 years old! But I can change and repair anything myself, so this is a factor to consider.

One thing that cannot be quantified is the fit and feel though. I notice cheap stuff always feels less substantial than the expensive stuff. Not a problem with the function, just the feel and maybe the design.

Then also consider that you may want to renovate and have a new look, I donno, maybe in 10 years? Throwing away a RM 200 tap a bit painful, but a RM 30 tap? Eh, okay.

Buy branded from China, no regrets!

If you planning not to do any major renovation...
And own stay for long time...

Then it's Sorento for me....

BUT

You plan to move out... Let's says few years or have plan for major renovation...

Then it's cheapo Chinese one 👌

Water tap hardly broken.

Bidet on the other than cheapo ones lasts 2-3 years before starts leaking

typical mindset where more expensive stuff tends to last longer, i'm just using cheapo tap from Mr DIY and they last longer than 3 years, zero leak and still going strong now all the tap in my house is using those from Mr DIY, and my new house i use china brand, 1 year and still counting

cheap - lots of plastic use. Unlikely quality s/s or fake s/s. Non copper/fake copper. There must be a reason price is cheap.

Branded - nicer design, quality build, less plastic, more copper. Not sure if sorento is “good brand”, but the price is there.

What most people look for is actually “value” rather than price/brand. Cheap price, good quality, nice design, last long.

Any current/ex sorento user can share their experience?

If you know DIY and it can be easily DIY, go for cheap one, when leak/spoil, just change new one, new design new function when time comes.

If you dunno DIY or will require hacking/drilling when replace, then go for better and mahal one

Even same brand, different price, casting different quality. Some are really cheapo sand cast, some are wax cast presumably judging by the finishing.

Buy cheap one cukup. Fundamentally not much difference. Can even buy extra one pc to store as spare part.

i sell sorento many years d n sendiri also using, long lasting but ofcoz sometimes got customer complain rosak also but sorento got parts and after sales service.

the feel, the finishing also different compared to cheap one, if u say can use or not, function same. If u can self DIY if rosak can change new easily and budget not enough, go cheap. If u hire a plumber just to change a tap, easily rm 100-150 more exp than the cheap tap ahahha. So if u can DIY, can take risk. if no then get better taps

Personal experience, say bidet. Buy cheapo, few months later started to leak ( use daily). Change to Sorento, almost 3yrs, then leak. Bought another Sorento (maybe lemon), leak after months. My other Toto bidet, 8 yrs still counting.

My old house where i used to stay, i reno the bathroom for my wedding, using Sorento tap (my 1st experience with this brand), now almost 15 yrs still perfect. With water pump press somemore.

Kitchen tap, ayam brand, i replaced 2x in 4 yrs. Now im on Sorento also

Sometimes it is the inconvenience that it cause when plumbing stuff breakdown. The mess that it cause. So i don't mind pay abit more for better quality. Personally i hate fix plumbing stuff

This post has been edited by normality78: Mar 28 2024, 05:49 PM