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Old 02-07-2009, 07:45 AM
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jlomon jlomon is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Toronto, Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 79-240d-project View Post
I could go on and on with examples of the trash that is on the market today. It seems like manufactures have forgotten how to produce simple quality products.
They haven't forgotten at all. When you said

Quote:
Originally Posted by 79-240d-project View Post
Seems like it is working pretty good for them. Here, buy this piece of junk and we will see you again in 5 years or buy this piece of junk and this pricy 5 year extended warranty and we will see you in 6.
You hit the nail on the head. This is has been the prevalent business model for the last 15 years or so when it comes to so-called "consumer durables". Build it just well enough to get beyond the warranty that we offer as the manufacturer. When it breaks in a few years, consumers won't repair it. They'll choose to replace it with a newer, flashier model with more bells and whistles. This keeps people going into stores to buy things, and keeps filling up garbage dumps with the detritus of our society. It dovetails in quite nicely with the move towards ofshore production of most of this stuff, which is cheaper not only because of reduced labour costs but also because of the less exacting manufacturing tolerances that are considered acceptable.

Welcome to consumer culture.
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