This is my 3rd Oates 8 tie broom in 3 years and this one didn't last 6 months. My 6 yr old broom is still a better option. My problem is nothing to do with the millet quality/weight/amount. It is the paltry system of wiring that attaches the millet to the broom handle that is the problem. Sadly Oates seems to be the only outside broom option available and they are hopeless now. I have photographed my old 6 yr old Oates broom with my 6 month old Oates broom but seems that I cannot post the photo. I tried taping the millet to hold it in place but even that failed. Very poor quality!!!!

This 8-tie Oates millet broom lasted about three uses before the broom started to lose stability on the handle. Now all the millet is breaking and it's just a matter of time before the whole thing falls apart. Unbelievably poor quality and/or design!!!