Elderly couple sells perfectly working appliances that they have bought during the 1950’s

In an age where most things are considered as disposable, durability among appliances has become quite rare. But this elderly couple in Exeter, Devon, England is selling some of their appliances that have been bought way back in the 1950s. It’s kind of unbelievable but apparently, the said appliances are in “full working order.” However, the couple originally bought most of it in 1956.

According to the report, Sydney and Rachel Saunders are selling their tumble dryer, boiler, cooker, and washing machine. Sydney, a retired accountant, believed that “things were made better” back in the days.

Meanwhile, Rachel wanted to donate their appliances to a museum so that it could inspire the new generation about the durability of things, particularly technology.

The items are miraculously still in working condition, although the washing machine has a “slightest of leaks.” The elderly couple included a Servis washing machine in their sale, which was bought in 1956 for £60 (PHP 4,042.60). They bought it when they were still newlyweds.

Sydney admitted, “That was a lot of money in those days.”

They are also selling a Baby Belling cooker bought in 1956 for £19 (PHP 1,280.16), a Burco tumble dryer bought in 1963 for £52 (PHP 3,503.59), and a five-gallon boiler bought in 1959 for around £15 (PHP 1,010.65).

The elderly couple decided to sell some of their appliances after they had a general cleaning of their house. According to them, most of the appliances were only “spares” in the house, hence their impressive conditions.

Sydney revealed:

“Things were made better in those days, they were more durable and stronger, but of course the new ones are more sophisticated. That’s a good thing, but it means that if something goes wrong it can be quite a big job. I think a lot more care was taken in older days.”

“We’re selling them now because over the years we have replaced them. We’ve kept them as spares for a number of years even though they have been replaced and we thought it was a good opportunity to clear the house out.”

Rachel, a retired carer, added:

“We were given the washing machine when we were married – 62 years ago – and the last time it was used was 12 years ago. As far as I know it’s still in full working order, it just leaks a bit. The tumble dryer was brought around when our first daughter was born and is about 55 years old.”

“I’ve used it every week ever since up to a couple of months ago. It’s still in working order and all you have to do is put the clothes in and switch it on. It’s quite simple – just place the clothes forwards and backwards and then put it through the rollers. The last time the cooker was used was 28 years ago and it was working fine then.”

The elderly couple shared that they hoped the appliances would go to a museum or a good house. Rachel said:

“It would be such a shame for them just to go to landfill so we’d really like someone who is interested in them to come forward. You just don’t get appliances made like that today. We don’t know what they’re worth, but the money isn’t important, we just want them to go to a good home.”

“We’ve been here for 60 years and we’ve kept them for spares for years, but now we’ll never use them again and it’s time we found a good home for them.. I’m not bothered about the price, I’d like them to go to a museum or something like that so they can be preserved.”

As of this writing, nobody has purchased the mentioned appliances yet.

Amazing! What do you think about the elderly couple selling their antique appliances in mint condition? Were you impressed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!