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Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

priceonomics.com

51–60 of 380 posts

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#52
post #5

Toto's primary sales channel is "If you build a house or office in Japan and don't specifically talk to your architect/contractor about your post-bowel movement preferences we will take the liberty of using the most current model Toto has available and then invoice you cost plus labor plus 50%." Toto does not have that relationship with the person responsible for picking your toilet. Why does Toto have that relations…

Nice insight on the sales approach. Is there any particular reason that this technique doesn't work outside of Japan? American construction companies might not care about a wreath, but surely drinking and promises of additional profits would be universally effective.

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#54
post #14
post #2

The US is a notoriously price-sensitive market. For a lot of folks, they wouldn't consider paying $1000+ for a toilet when the most basic American Standard can be found for about $125. A lot of people would find it hard to justify an order of magnitude price increase. I know Boston has a Toto showroom in its North End, but I really cant consider it due to the rules of my apartment building.

How long does a toilet last? Ten years? Then we are talking less than the cost of your internet connection (and we won't mention the cost of food, which is way more than that).

>Then we are talking less than the cost of your internet connection

Not if you consider the time value of money, which you should do when making any cost comparison.

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#57
post #39
post #5

Toto's primary sales channel is "If you build a house or office in Japan and don't specifically talk to your architect/contractor about your post-bowel movement preferences we will take the liberty of using the most current model Toto has available and then invoice you cost plus labor plus 50%." Toto does not have that relationship with the person responsible for picking your toilet. Why does Toto have that relations…

People don’t pick the toilets in their houses? I find that hard to imagine. People not picking the pipes or bricks that are used I can see, but the toilet? No way. Before I buy a toilet I want to at least sit on it and I cannot imagine anyone feeling any other way about that.

The situation for new builds / speculative construction which are then placed on the market, versus 'having a house built to your specifications', might be some of the difference. Or you (that is, not you or I, but "people") might select a "style" of bathroom or use a particular interior designer whom you trust to make appropriate decisions.

If you're not getting an incredibly detailed itemised bill, you might find it tough to spot ~1K extra in 'bathroom furniture and installations'

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#58
post #10

Do these improve upon the ergonomics of the common toilet? I'm thinking of the comparison between sitting and squatting positions.

Heated seats. Finding a plumber I trust seems like a problem some startup has solved. There's never enough time to follow this up, I've been intending to upgrade for over a year.

Heated toilet seats are essential in Japan where many houses lack very good indoor heating.

The best for me was heated train seats, but we've ventured away from toilets.

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#59
I have a TOTO (cambridge ma), but it has none of the fancy features. It did come with a sticker on the seat for www.cleanishappy.com/ which sells the super toilet seat ad ons. The toliet works well and uses very little water. It doesn't spin flush but instead uses a wave of water when flushing.
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