Am I wrong to think electronics companies should try harder??

[Slyonbass]

I'm P-O ed at LG. Here's the story : My LG DVD Recorder Experience | LG LRH-780 Limited Lifespan Blog

What do YOU think??

[RonGillman3]

I wish electronic companies did but the majority tend to not care on longevity. It makes them lose money. What I have seen is most companies make their product amazing so a person will love the quality, BUT, the companies will make sure it breaks under 2 or 3 years depending on the type of product. Now, not all companies do this, I don't know any yet, I think Apple might be one of those that try to keep there products working for a while, I've had some pretty old iPods, from what I have seen is that the older electronics tend to last a lot longer. I have a 20 year old Kingston speaker system, and a 22 year old Sony stereo system. Another thing to think about is that the more moving components a piece of equipment has the bigger the chance it will break, especially in something like a recorder or something.
In the end though, I do wish, with newer equipment, things didn't break so quickly, especially when I spend $100+ for it.

[Jim Nazium]

Just to play devil's advocate, let me mention that (1) consumer electronics are very price-competitive, and (2) technological change renders many products obsolete long before they are worn out. Why build a DVD recorder to last 20 years, when the DVD format will be replaced by something newer in 5-10 years? By building it to a lower quality, they can reduce the price and therefore increase sales. I know it's frustrating as a customer, but that's the reality.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Just to play devil's advocate, let me mention that (1) consumer electronics are very price-competitive, and (2) technological change renders many products obsolete long before they are worn out. Why build a DVD recorder to last 20 years, when the DVD format will be replaced by something newer in 5-10 years? By building it to a lower quality, they can reduce the price and therefore increase sales. I know it's frustrating as a customer, but that's the reality.

+1

If you want something that's going to last, there are products/companies out there. But they aren't at the competative price point of LG, Sony etc.

[Fassa Albrecht]

You want something to last, you gotta pay.

[MJ5150]

Yep, you're wrong. As mentioned, at this price point, you get disposable items.

-Mike

[Selta]

i_got, Fassa, and MJ all already hit the nail on the head.

[DwaynieAD]

i think sony makes a fine product, my sony dvd player i've had for 11 years and i bought it used from my cousin.. still doing fine.. my playstation two, i've had for 7 years, kids have dropped it countless times, poured soda and juice it, god only knows what else, and still works like a charm..

my sony tv and ps3 are only a year old but still working very well, i'll reserve judgement on those two for the time being

and i have a sony surround sound with another matching dvd player, all over ten years old all working great.

and almost forgot my older son has a sony dvd player in his room that is dented to bajesus and back from him and still plays wonderfully..

LG is crap in my experiences tho..

[Munjibunga]

The first fiduciary responsibility of Boards of Directors of electronics companies is to the shareholders, not the consumer. Get over it.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

The first fiduciary responsibility of Boards of Directors of electronics companies is to the shareholders, not the consumer. Get over it.

Sure, but the consumer ultimately decides if the company gets to stay in business or not.

Nobody shed a tear when Schwinn went bankrupt.

[Slyonbass]

Thanks for all the feedback.

What get's me mad is not the fact that the DVD reorder-player broke.

It's the fact that the company doesn't care.

If I didn't give a hoot about the quality of my playing, sound, style and attitude I wouldn't have worked very long as a free-lance bassist.

These companies make loads of dough selling sub-standard products because they have marketing power.

I think they need to own up to their mediocrity and that the reality of their commercial practices must be known.

The good-bad or right-wrong is a debate filled with shades of gray IMHO...

[L-A]

Texas Instruments.

[Skitch it!]

Planned obsolescence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Without a doubt it's all shades of gray. And if it's substandard, report it to your trading standards (or equivilant).

But these things aren't built to last forever. If you want an electrical product to last longer, spend more/go with a better name. That's all there is to it really, business!