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DPChallenge Forums >> Rant >> They don't build 'em like they used to
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09/04/2008 11:26:07 AM · #1
Dumbass disposable society.

I'm just reminded today of how wasteful we've become. But I'm mostly pissed off about the impending hit on my bank account at a time I can't afford it.

Our fridge ceased to function yesterday. We bought it in 2004 and it has already gone through one repair. The repairman is over right now and he says all brands of fridges start to break down in four or five years. But he says don't buy GE fridges with a motherboard, because that board breaks down a lot and is very expensive.

Food went into the basement bar fridge my wife BOUGHT USED IN 1985! Nearly thirty years and still running great!!!

I hear and see all this hubbub about new Energy Star appliances. Use less energy and better for the environment!?!? I call BULLSHIT ON THAT! If you have to replace the mutherfrikkers every four years versus every 30-40-50??? years???

Dumbasses!
09/04/2008 11:32:38 AM · #2
This has long been a major bone of contention for me.

Appliances, electronics, furniture, cars, houses.

The list goes on and on. Practically everything you buy today is manufactured for one purpose and one purpose only, disposability. It's designed to stop working after a short length of time so that you are required to purchase it (or the upgrade) again.

Yet we buy into it time and time again, because the only other option we have is a complete and utter lifestyle change that none of us are truly prepared for.
09/04/2008 11:44:06 AM · #3
Originally posted by K10DGuy:

This has long been a major bone of contention for me.

Appliances, electronics, furniture, cars, houses.

The list goes on and on. Practically everything you buy today is manufactured for one purpose and one purpose only, disposability. It's designed to stop working after a short length of time so that you are required to purchase it (or the upgrade) again.

Yet we buy into it time and time again, because the only other option we have is a complete and utter lifestyle change that none of us are truly prepared for.


I don't agree unless you're talking about American cars. ;] If you buy a 60 dollar kettle it should be of good quality but if you spend 14.99 on one should you be expecting the same quality and longevity? I learned that a long time ago and rarely need repairs to my appliances, if ever. Most of the time when I buy an appliance it's because I'm fed up with it and want something new, not because it's broken.

Slippy that sucks big time on a 4 yr old fridge. What brand is it so I can spread the word?
09/04/2008 12:03:39 PM · #4
Originally posted by Jac:

If you buy a 60 dollar kettle it should be of good quality but if you spend 14.99 on one should you be expecting the same quality and longevity? I learned that a long time ago and rarely need repairs to my appliances, if ever. Most of the time when I buy an appliance it's because I'm fed up with it and want something new, not because it's broken.

Slippy that sucks big time on a 4 yr old fridge. What brand is it so I can spread the word?


My parents had their kitchen redone four years ago and had a Subzero fridge installed (priced in the thousands). Nothing but problems ranging from the door not closing to rattling compressors. While that was once true (you get what you paid for), nowadays, the more you pay, the more it will cost you to replace it anyway.
09/04/2008 12:06:38 PM · #5
Originally posted by Trinch:

Originally posted by Jac:

If you buy a 60 dollar kettle it should be of good quality but if you spend 14.99 on one should you be expecting the same quality and longevity? I learned that a long time ago and rarely need repairs to my appliances, if ever. Most of the time when I buy an appliance it's because I'm fed up with it and want something new, not because it's broken.

Slippy that sucks big time on a 4 yr old fridge. What brand is it so I can spread the word?


My parents had their kitchen redone four years ago and had a Subzero fridge installed (priced in the thousands). Nothing but problems ranging from the door not closing to rattling compressors. While that was once true (you get what you paid for), nowadays, the more you pay, the more it will cost you to replace it anyway.


Ok, one example. I never said that lemons are non existent in quality product lines. Crap happens. I guess I've been lucky with mine.
09/04/2008 12:40:36 PM · #6
I afraid that electronic issues will only increase in coming years, as various laws (lots of them Global) forcing the removal of lead from solder. Pure tin solder can cause long, current carrying, whiskers to form that can short circuit many electronics. This move from tin-lead to tin is starting to proceed full speed ahead in the consumer electronics and automotive industries.

NASA Website on whiskers

Tim

Message edited by author 2008-09-04 12:41:09.
09/04/2008 01:16:03 PM · #7
What a fascinating read. Thanks for the link!
09/04/2008 01:16:22 PM · #8
Our dryer broke down while still in warranty. I mentioned to the repairman how well my parents' old set had held up and he told us that we would be better off buying old second-hand appliances than new ones, because the new weren't built to last.

My parents moved from the family house into a new townhouse. In the time they lived there all the kitchen major appliances needed repairs, while the washer and dryer they'd brought with them just chugged on happily. When I sold the townhouse the set was 40 years old and all that had been done was to replace the washer hoses twice.

My mother wrote Sunbeam when her Mixmaster had its 50th anniversary because she thought it might make good advertising. Their reply was basically that they couldn't, because people would expect the current products to perform as well as the old, and they don't.

Eta; Oh, and I'm still using their old Smith Victor hotlights from the '50's :)

Message edited by author 2008-09-04 13:17:23.
09/04/2008 02:08:03 PM · #9
I'm not sure about the fridge brand, I think it's a Kenmore. It's one of the big brands, anyway, as I tend to dislike replacing things that are difficult to lift.

This sucks all the more because we replaced our washer and dryer and dishwasher last year. The washer was a ball-breaker to get out of the basement, and left a trail of water. Then, the two rastafarians who installed the new washer installed the hot and cold water in reverse. AND we had to upgrade the electric run to the new dishwasher before it could be legally installed. The dishwasher has already had one repair done on it!

:-(

OMG OMG OMG !!!

I just got a phone call from my mechanic !!!!

I left my car to have an
1 -emissions test,
2 -oil change, and get a new
3 -washer fluid pump.

They can't do the emissions test because there's a leak in my exhaust, which means they have to send it out to get a
4 -weld, and if the weld isn't possible it neads a new
5 -catalytic converter (or something of similar name, I dunno, it's all Greek to me).

He also said, by the way, you need a new
6 -license plate bulb, and
7 -break light bulb. These are both tiny costs, so no prob. But then there's ALSO a
8 -broken right-front stabilizer link, which I've had welded once before. Probably my fault because I get impatient and drive over curbs when people get in my way. And last but not least, buddy, you need new
9 -brake pads.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
09/04/2008 02:10:26 PM · #10
Maybe I should feel good about single-handedly keeping the Canadian economy afloat?
09/04/2008 02:12:46 PM · #11
Isn't it time for a new computer? ;)
09/04/2008 02:15:02 PM · #12
Originally posted by BeeCee:

Isn't it time for a new computer? ;)

Very funny!

09/04/2008 02:25:20 PM · #13
Hey, at least I didn't mention that strange little ka-thunk sound coming from your camera...
09/04/2008 02:34:25 PM · #14
OH HELL!

I just got a call from my mortgage banker!

While renewing my mortgage I applied to get a secured line of credit. We were hoping to make it happen without an appraisal-fee.... NOPE. Not going to have that luck today.

This has been an expensive day for Slippy, and it's all for zero-fun stuff.



I think I need a visit from my friend, Mr. Daniels tonight.

Is today over yet?

Message edited by author 2008-09-04 14:34:45.
09/04/2008 02:41:04 PM · #15
Oh darlin...I feel for ya.

Took my car in last week for a $60 oil change and came away with a $897 bill.

Slippy....it will get better ((((((BIG HUG)))))) to you!!
09/04/2008 02:49:56 PM · #16
Originally posted by Strikeslip:


Is today over yet?


You have my permission to go home early. If your boss hassles you, just send him to me.
09/04/2008 04:45:47 PM · #17
Thanks you two. Life will be better when I get home and am greeted with my daily "daddy's home" hugs from my three girls. A snifter of whisky won't hurt either. ;-)

Heh, this started out as a rant against engineered obsolescence, and/or designed-to-break modern-day eco-crap, and through a few phone calls turned into a whine which would be better off in the Personal Life forum.

BTW, I just got another call from my mechanic and my car is OK to the tune of $450, so that's a relief, because if that expensive dooflicky had to be replaced I wouldn't be getting another car. At least I would've saved on insurance, though.
09/04/2008 04:52:51 PM · #18
Originally posted by Buckeye_Fan:

Oh darlin...I feel for ya.

Took my car in last week for a $60 oil change and came away with a $897 bill.

Slippy....it will get better ((((((BIG HUG)))))) to you!!


$60 oil change? Where are you going? Cost $24.99 here at the dealerships.
09/09/2008 08:56:18 AM · #19
Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Thanks you two. Life will be better when I get home and am greeted with my daily "daddy's home" hugs from my three girls. A snifter of whisky won't hurt either. ;-)......

Haha, revisiting this thread to add that I got home to a burned out bulb in our rear-projection TV. It cost $450 to get a new one.

Things come in three's, so hopefully we're done for a while. :-(

1. Fridge $200
2. Car $450
3. TV $450
09/09/2008 09:41:02 AM · #20
I used to work in product development for a major appliance company.

I could tell some stories about why things are the way they are...

It's not planned obsolescence...it's much worse.

Message edited by author 2008-09-09 09:41:43.
09/09/2008 03:02:31 PM · #21
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I used to work in product development for a major appliance company.

I could tell some stories about why things are the way they are...

It's not planned obsolescence...it's much worse.


Please do tell!
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