Designed obsolescence...

[nadinbrzezinski]

well on schedule our washing machine fails... after the guarantee goes of course.

Yep the tech said that these days he rarely fixes them any longer, people opt to replace them. They are cheaper to replace than fix. So how exactly does this make any sense?

[mrs_p]

1. so we can buy more crap from china?

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Tempted to use the machine outside

I still need to get the plumbing fixed though,

[RandomThoughts]

2. Well the part about me being due beer and travel money makes sense.

Not sure about the rest of it.

:shrug:

[ProdigalJunkMail]

3. plastic impeller blades in Dodge water pump

can't repair that...and it will fail.

sP

[Sherman A1]

5. I have a washer & dryer from the mid 1980's that

continue to carry on (with the occasional repair) right along with my 1979 model Snapper lawn mower. I assume your's are new models?

[Arctic Dave]

6. When the timer went out on ours a few years back

they wanted $125 for the part (a piece of plastic) and 1hr to repair it. Replaced it myself. We later replaced the entire unit because it didn't make sense to keep replacing plastic parts for insanely marked up prices.

[tkmorris]

7. Producing steady replacements is more profitable...

and employs more people than repairing does. I hate that, but it's true.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Short sighted, due to energy and material waste

[gkhouston]

9. Somebody must still be fixing them, because you can buy parts on the web.

For that matter, there are some DIY sites to help diagnose and repair the more common problems. I've sent away for and installed replacement parts in my washer and fridge.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. I think that's changing...

Not the planned obsolescence part, but the part about people buying new.

I think anyone who can repair appliances and such are going to be in great demand. People are going to try to repair more than buy new, not only because of the sheer waste of it all and recognizing this tactic after experiencing it for decades, but because they simply can't afford to buy new.

My SO is getting very, very good at repairing just about anything. Thank goodness.

[Kennah]

11. Look on the bright side

Once TSHTF, working class peeps who know how to turn a wrench, fix stuff, and otherwise improvise solutions are going to be in great demand fixing all manner of old things sitting and collecting rust. Unfortunately, they will also have to make do with newer crap that broke down in accordance with it's obsolesce schedule.