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hedgehog

(36,286 posts)

16. You can pay big bucks for a monster toaster that will last, but

Reply to sad sally (Reply #13)

Sun Jan 15, 2012, 08:31 PM

Jan 2012

who wants to do that?

One good reason for planned obsolescence is that it allows you to take advantage of the latest technology. My in-laws are very proud of their 30 year old refrigerator. It has to be manually defrosted, has no ice maker and consumes more power than a new model would. Both my brother and i are getting along fine with our 15 year old televisions, but obviously they don't have the features of a new flat screen!

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16 replies

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A speculation about outsourcing - [View all] hedgehog Jan 2012 OP

Of course the consumer is screwed tawadi Jan 2012 #1

Again, this isn't about cheap vs expensive - hedgehog Jan 2012 #5

The true definition of cheap used to mean inferiror tawadi Jan 2012 #12

Thats why people should build their own stuff DocMac Jan 2012 #2

Did you hear the one about the guy that built his own toaster? OffWithTheirHeads Jan 2012 #3

LOl!! That guy just needed something to do. DocMac Jan 2012 #4

Don't forget that the price squeeze that Walmart puts on small electronics suppliers has been shown Nay Jan 2012 #6

I'll have to keep that in mind. hedgehog Jan 2012 #7

Um, I was a product designer, moldmaker. WingDinger Jan 2012 #8

Sometimes plastic serves a vital purpose - hedgehog Jan 2012 #9

Thank you for validating something I've said every time a toaster goes kaput. sad sally Jan 2012 #13

Actually, I;m a terrible designer. I only know how to make things last. WingDinger Jan 2012 #14

You can pay big bucks for a monster toaster that will last, but hedgehog Jan 2012 #16

The problem is planned obsolescence. Zalatix Jan 2012 #10

I'm thinking of a problem that is the opposite of planned obsolescence. hedgehog Jan 2012 #11

Those good brands, are cyclical. WingDinger Jan 2012 #15