General Discussion

hunter

(38,302 posts)

22. If I ever turn into a "good consumer" just shoot me.

Wed Feb 27, 2013, 02:59 PM

Feb 2013

Am I ever going to buy a new car? No. A boat motor? No. A new computer? No. A new cell phone? No. An air conditioner? No. Any kind of home electronics? No. New clothes if I can help it? No. All that stuff rapidly turns into garbage. I know because my car, my computer, most of my clothes, and my cellphone were headed for the garbage or recycling when I intercepted them. I don't like to buy anything new unless I can eat it, maybe wear it, or it's going to last a century or more.

I do like good food, wine, and beer. Everyone has to eat.

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They don't make 'em like they used to, but did they ever? [View all] jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 OP

Because we used to make things here in the USA with pride. Things were made well & sturdy and JaneyVee Feb 2013 #1

My mother is using a 50-yr-old Hoover vac. My hand mixer is 40+. Dishwasher, fridge, stove: 26. WinkyDink Feb 2013 #2

those companies managed to make money jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #4

When a business cares more about shareholder value Ron Green Feb 2013 #3

magic of the free market jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #5

BINGO!! lastlib Feb 2013 #12

+1 woo me with science Feb 2013 #23

+1 HiPointDem Feb 2013 #34

Plus they're unregulated and have all their goods manufactured in China. Initech Feb 2013 #19

IMO it's the plastic parts that are screwing us. tridim Feb 2013 #6

Yes! I spend $699 for a Troy-Bilt weed wacket on wheels and they put a plastic gas sinkingfeeling Feb 2013 #9

Yep. And, it's cheap, brittle plastic, to boot. GoCubsGo Feb 2013 #37

I'm hearing ya. canoeist52 Feb 2013 #7

I hear you jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #10

We decided to become a 'disposable' society. I have an USA-made color TV that was sinkingfeeling Feb 2013 #8

I bought a house a few years ago. HooptieWagon Feb 2013 #11

This will take an act of congress jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #13

Vance Packard says they never did. raccoon Feb 2013 #14

$95 for a computer in a dryer. hunter Feb 2013 #15

$95? That's a steal. matt819 Feb 2013 #27

It's a Kenmore. I ordered the part from the Sears website. hunter Feb 2013 #35

Even small things like bobby pins are total crap. narnian60 Feb 2013 #16

My mom bought a Maytag washing machine new in 1957 slackmaster Feb 2013 #17

There is a lot of truth in "a well educated consumer is a good consumer". NCTraveler Feb 2013 #18

I dispute your claim jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #21

I don't know. NCTraveler Feb 2013 #24

If I ever turn into a "good consumer" just shoot me. hunter Feb 2013 #22

Could very well mean you are a good consumer. NCTraveler Feb 2013 #25

Americans have proven time and again... MicaelS Feb 2013 #20

I thought you might be talking about Biden. gateley Feb 2013 #26

Guaranteed profit. you make more if you sell a replacement every 10-years instead rustydog Feb 2013 #28

I think it's a mixed bag Mosby Feb 2013 #29

my blender is lasting jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #30

They don't make things like they used to leftynyc Feb 2013 #31

No, they don't make 'em like they used to. MadHound Feb 2013 #32

I remember my parents and grandparents saying the same thing in the 1950's. It may not pampango Feb 2013 #33

I have a theory about this... phantom power Feb 2013 #36

Couldn't find a cite for this jollyreaper2112 Feb 2013 #40

There is one product, still made in the USA, of very high quality ... Scuba Feb 2013 #38

My Panasonic microwave is 25 years old and still working hobbit709 Feb 2013 #39