Submitted by ME5SENGER_24 t3_122q3dr in BuyItForLife
Occhrome t1_jdrsbr9 wrote
Reply to comment by palehorse95 in My Aunt’s GE Spacemaker Coffeemaker from 1988, used nearly everyday since by ME5SENGER_24
I’m on the fence about planned obsolescence after working as an engineer. I know believe it’s just companies being cheap mother fuckers and cost cutting wherever they can get away with it.
siler7 t1_jds26vj wrote
This happens a lot with previously respected brands. By making high-quality products for a long time, they acquire a reputation for durability. Then the founder retires or sells the brand, and it's taken over by wolves. They start making things that look the same but use much lower-quality (read: cost) components. They make a lot of money off of people's habits, as the people who were loyal to the brand tend to take a long time to change their views and buying habits.
Occhrome t1_jduei4c wrote
absolutely agree. the name of a company doesn't mean much anymore. i cant help be a little upset wit the original owners who sell the company knowing the next owners will butcher it and mis treat the workers.
palehorse95 t1_jdrve22 wrote
That's part of planned obsolescence. Use substandard materials now, save money in the short term AND make more money in return purchases down the line.
I recently ordered some small marker lights for a friend's boat. The lights are led with the wiring coming out of a sealed plastic threaded post in the center.
The wiring is SO small and brittle that if it survives the installation process, it will definitely break down under regular electrical load, not to mention exposure to the elements.
IBreakCellPhones t1_jdtrl7s wrote
It's not "designed to break," it's "designed to last until the warranty expires."
If you do design something to intentionally break after so many duty cycles, may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits and your arms be too short to scratch.
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