Author Topic: Tired of companies producing poor quality products  (Read 14000 times)

steadierfooting

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Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« on: February 26, 2015, 12:48:15 PM »
I bought 2 pairs of guess jeans in college around 2004.  They lasted until 2012.  Amazing!  So I didn't think twice when my awkward jean size (31x34) was online for $81.  Well, 5 months later they ripped already!  I've become that guy that relentlessly contacts customer service for poor products.  Usually to satisfactory results.  This was their response:

Quote
We thank you for submitting the pictures.  Our products are composed of a light denim and do not carry a grantee.  The hole in the jean is the result of normal wear and tear.  Still we understand that you may not be entirely happy with your purchase.  For that reason we would like to discount your item by 15%.  Please let us know if that works for you.   

It's good to know they don't stand by their product.  I'm not surprised.  I don't know much about fashion, but from what I understand it all costs insignificant amounts to produce, it's all about the marketing.

projekt

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2015, 12:53:57 PM »
I feel the same way, especially when companies take the brand that you're used to and slap it on a lower quality product, and then create a new "pro" brand that they put on the same product you would have gotten before, and up the price. (Black & Decker, I'm looking in your direction)

GetItRight

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2015, 12:55:12 PM »

RexualChocolate

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2015, 12:57:58 PM »
Apparently $81 jeans are inferior to $20 jeans. Mine are all >10 years old, work great.

I'm a red panda

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2015, 01:18:22 PM »
A grantee?  I don't think I could work with this company again.


I have some thorlo socks that are going on 20 years now.  I was so disappointed when I bought a pair (though a different style) last year and they showed pilling (but not a hole) after like 3 wears.  They actually don't have a durability warranty at all.  They do have a 30 day any reason guarantee though.

But it is tough to give a durability warranty because everyone treats products differently.  Sears used to have one on kids clothes- if the clothes wore out before the kid grew out of them, they replaced it.  They don't anymore. (Though I think that was more due to people abusing the system, getting new clothes in the previous size and then selling them.)

Sorry your jeans did not last.  I've recently taken to darning mine, as they generally rip inner thigh, and no one can see it. 

kib

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2015, 01:29:30 PM »
Yep.  It's bad enough when you try something new and it turns out to be a POS, but to go back to your tried n true staple, and it turns out they've turned that into a POS as well ...  visions of uzis dance in my head.


GuitarStv

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2015, 01:33:44 PM »
Just sew them back together.  Do a proper job and they'll probably last you another 12 years.

kaizen soze

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2015, 01:34:00 PM »
A slight contrary opinion here.  No doubt that I've had a similar observation as the OP.  I have a hoodie that has lasted nearly 20 years, but other hoodies purchased since then have already been thrown out.

But I can't be sure whether this is something like survivorship bias at work.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias).   The vast majority of the clothes I wore 20 years ago have been given away or worn out.  If I looked only at the items I still own from that time, I could easily be fooled into thinking that things made 20 years ago were of higher quality than things they sell now.  It may be objectively true that things are not made to last anymore (there is undoubtedly some evidence for it), but I always keep survivorship bias in mind before making such pronouncements. 

kib

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2015, 01:49:33 PM »
Or something akin to infant mortality - if it lasts 2 years, it will probably last 32 years.  My beef is mostly with disposable products like hair conditioner or shaving cream, where you notice immediately if the product has been compromised by New And Improved bullpiss being substituted for a quality ingredient in the formula.

projekt

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2015, 02:18:33 PM »
A slight contrary opinion here.  No doubt that I've had a similar observation as the OP.  I have a hoodie that has lasted nearly 20 years, but other hoodies purchased since then have already been thrown out.

But I can't be sure whether this is something like survivorship bias at work.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias).   The vast majority of the clothes I wore 20 years ago have been given away or worn out.  If I looked only at the items I still own from that time, I could easily be fooled into thinking that things made 20 years ago were of higher quality than things they sell now.  It may be objectively true that things are not made to last anymore (there is undoubtedly some evidence for it), but I always keep survivorship bias in mind before making such pronouncements.

This does not explain the 3 can openers I bought in 2 years when I was in grad school.

coppertop

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2015, 02:28:32 PM »
This is why we buy Lee jeans at the Vanity Fair outlet near our home.  There may be a few little flaws that kept the jeans from being sold at Kohl's, but for under $10 a pair, they are a bargain.

PatStab

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2015, 02:37:12 PM »
Fabric the last few years is of extremely poor quality.  I have lots I bought at Walmart of all places and have it stored out of sun and out of light.  Was washed before storing, these fabrics are 20 times the quality of most now.  When cotton prices went up they started making fabric like tissue paper, you all
know it.  Tops, pants, etc, lucky to wash one time without looking like an old rag.  My husband is
very unhappy with shirts, he likes western style and you can't even buy Panhandle Slims and some like that anymore at any price.

If you are older and a home sewer you can easily see the difference.  It's things like zippers, I have
expensive clothing that the zippers hardly work on time 2.  I have replaced some, its horrible. LandsEnd
used to be one of the best, I had sheets and shirts that were quality.  Hubby is still wearing one that
he had on in 2006 and still looks like new.  I would hate to see the new ones.  I no longer buy
their sheets.  LL Bean still has some good quality items but their coat is the one with the not so
good zipper.

It's the same with tools and everything, its all made in China or other countries, just junk, what a step
back we are taking.

netskyblue

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2015, 02:48:17 PM »
Stuff like this is partly why I do most of my clothing shopping at Goodwill.  Many times it's older and better quality than you see today.  And it's already survived wear from another user.  And it's cheap.

I did my every-few-years shopping trip at the end of October and I'm disgusted to see that I've worn through the right elbow on 2 of the brand-new sweaters I bought (4 months, and the elbow is gone!)  The ones from Goodwill (that I wear just as often) are holding up fine.

FabricStache

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #13 on: February 26, 2015, 08:14:03 PM »
This is one of many reasons why I sew all my clothes.  Jeans, shirts, dresses, coats, undies, bras etc.  At least I can assess the fabric to some extent beforehand.  And if the construction is poor and a seam breaks, I know who to call to complain.

Thegoblinchief

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #14 on: February 27, 2015, 12:28:36 PM »
If I'm at all unsure about something, I buy through a retailer with a very liberal return policy, like Costco or REI, but yeah thrifting is where it's at unless you need a very specific type of thing.

My sewing family members echo the fabric comment. They have had to start sourcing material from boutique sources rather than the MegaFabric/CraftCo's because basically 100% of what's at the big box fabric stores is junk. Whereas my Mom made clothes from said stores twenty years ago that my son is now wearing (though again, that's survivorship bias).

Gone Fishing

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #15 on: February 27, 2015, 01:00:46 PM »
Around 8 years ago I bought a pair of Dickies work pants.  Got excellent service out of them and when they passed, I asked for a new pair for Christmas.  Got the new ones and the material felt noticeably thinner.  I weighed them and I believe they were around 4-6 oz lighter than the old ones despite the old ones being thread bare if I recall correctly. Ounce per yard is a basic measurement of cotton duck fabic and denim, not some obscure quality like fiber length or whatnot.  The manufacturers know exactly what they are doing. 

dragoncar

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #16 on: March 03, 2015, 06:35:01 PM »
Where did you buy them from?  I'm surprised they won't take it back unless it's some really crappy company.  Macys, Nordstrom, etc. would definitely process an exchange/return within 5 mo for defective product.  To some degree, it's worth paying more with these companies for the insurance.  Same reason I buy certain things at Costco or Bed Bath & Beyond despite being more expensive than the smoking deal from noname.com. 

Davin

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #17 on: March 03, 2015, 11:02:00 PM »
Around 8 years ago I bought a pair of Dickies work pants.  Got excellent service out of them and when they passed, I asked for a new pair for Christmas.  Got the new ones and the material felt noticeably thinner.  I weighed them and I believe they were around 4-6 oz lighter than the old ones despite the old ones being thread bare if I recall correctly. Ounce per yard is a basic measurement of cotton duck fabic and denim, not some obscure quality like fiber length or whatnot.  The manufacturers know exactly what they are doing.

I'm pretty sure Carhartt double front work dungarees used to be made of 14 oz cotton duck, now they are 12 oz.

Gone Fishing

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2015, 09:26:59 AM »
Got another one.  I had two pairs of Dockers captoe shoes (Oxford model I believe) that gave great service.  Bought a third pair and the sole was made out of obviously softer rubber that wore out quickly.  Read several reviews with similar quality experiences.  Decided to have them resoled for more than a new pair cost, but they will last longer and it keeps my money local.

J Boogie

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #19 on: March 04, 2015, 01:40:40 PM »
I am encouraged by gustin.  I've never bought from them, but I like how their business model works.  It makes really high quality a good deal more affordable.  The next pair of jeans I buy will be from them and I would have bought a duffel from them if one would have been on the table.

MissPeach

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #20 on: March 05, 2015, 03:44:07 PM »
I've noticed similar with clothing. Women's clothing is now mostly rayon and/or polyester. Rayon pills and looks old quickly. Polyester is too hot for me and can pill too. Both fabrics are not very good. I am trying to learn to sew so I can recreate my favorite items in better fabrics and colors.

This is why most products I buy, I use retailers that stand behind their products. If anything goes wrong I know they'll take the return.

DaMa

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #21 on: March 05, 2015, 07:41:43 PM »
Speaking of fabric quality...I was in a Holocaust museum recently, and there were two uniforms worn by concentration camp survivors.  I thought the fabric quality was better than anything I've seen lately.  smh
(I'm a quilter.)

RetiredAt63

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #22 on: March 07, 2015, 10:10:56 AM »
A local museum has clothing from the war of 1812.  Very solid - but think of all the effort that went into making it.

Speaking of fabric quality...I was in a Holocaust museum recently, and there were two uniforms worn by concentration camp survivors.  I thought the fabric quality was better than anything I've seen lately.  smh
(I'm a quilter.)

queenie

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #23 on: March 07, 2015, 10:18:27 AM »
I'm so annoyed with this as well!  We just paid for higher end laminate for our main floor.  We installed it last summer,so it's only about 6 months old.  Already we noticed two good sized chips in the flooring.  I contacted the store, who sent photos to the rep for the flooring manufacturer.  Not covered under warranty and no offer to compensate at all.  Basically a too-bad-so-sad response.

This morning my 5 year old was walking in the kitchen and got a big sliver out of the middle of a laminate plank.  A chunk of the decorative top layer of the plank chipped off and caught under his skin.  WTF??

We saved up for this flooring.  I'm so crushed.  :(

Breaker

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #24 on: March 07, 2015, 10:47:54 AM »
The sad thing for me is when I buy a name brand that is supposed to be good quality and it just isn't.  It is even worse when I think the company knew it when they sold me the product.

I bought Levelor cellular blinds for  my windows about four years ago.  I am the only person in the house and I am careful not to be rough when I raise or lower the blinds.  The blind that I bought for my sliding glass door in the bedroom was also room darkening.  I had it less than a year and the string broke.  I replaced it.  Last month the ratchet that is used to roll the blind up and down broke.  I contacted them for a replacement.  There is no replacement, they don't use that part in their blinds anymore.  Essentially Levelor knew this part wasn't strong enough for a blind as heavy as needed for a door but they sold it anyway and now won't back it up. 

Now I have another string broken and noticed that when I restrung the blind that the plastic part that holds in the ratchet is also broken.  I taped it into place.  I will be going to Penny's for my next set of blinds.  I really expect blinds to last for more than 4 years.  Last Levelors I'll ever buy.

zinnie

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #25 on: March 07, 2015, 11:28:48 AM »
Add me to this complaint list. I am so disappointed recently by the clothing brands that used to have really quality, durable stuff. And prices haven't even come down to justify the new level of quality. I will forever be on the lookout for companies that still make really nice, long-lasting stuff!

ChrisLansing

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #26 on: March 07, 2015, 12:00:13 PM »
The sad thing for me is when I buy a name brand that is supposed to be good quality and it just isn't.  It is even worse when I think the company knew it when they sold me the product.

I bought Levelor cellular blinds for  my windows about four years ago.  I am the only person in the house and I am careful not to be rough when I raise or lower the blinds.  The blind that I bought for my sliding glass door in the bedroom was also room darkening.  I had it less than a year and the string broke.  I replaced it.  Last month the ratchet that is used to roll the blind up and down broke.  I contacted them for a replacement.  There is no replacement, they don't use that part in their blinds anymore.  Essentially Levelor knew this part wasn't strong enough for a blind as heavy as needed for a door but they sold it anyway and now won't back it up. 

Now I have another string broken and noticed that when I restrung the blind that the plastic part that holds in the ratchet is also broken.  I taped it into place.  I will be going to Penny's for my next set of blinds.  I really expect blinds to last for more than 4 years.  Last Levelors I'll ever buy.

Your story can be told and retold countless times substituting a great many different products.   I wonder if some of these companies have any idea that they are destroying their brand for very short term gain.   

I try to overcome the problems discussed here buy buying American, German, or Japanese.    I avoid 3rd world producers (and that includes China) like the plague.    But it takes hours of research before buying anything.    To me it's worthwhile because I can't afford to buy things twice, let alone 3 times.   

justajane

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #27 on: March 07, 2015, 12:05:45 PM »
Two years ago I spent a couple hundred more to buy a Dell laptop (over HP or Toshiba), because I had bought a Dell laptop that lasted for 8 years in the late 1990s. Well, it was trouble from day one - needed a new motherboard in the first month - and it finally crapped out on me for good this past week. I read along the way that Dells are made in a different location or with different parts now.

My solution, especially with technology, is to go as cheap as possible and just expect to replace it often. It sucks and is rather unenvironmental, but I don't know what else to do.

bzzzt

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #28 on: March 07, 2015, 07:09:12 PM »
Your story can be told and retold countless times substituting a great many different products.   I wonder if some of these companies have any idea that they are destroying their brand for very short term gain.

One of the biggest issues with this to me is Craftsman tools. Most of the tools are made in China now and they don't have the quality of the Made in USA counterparts. Vote with your wallet.

TheBuddha

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #29 on: March 07, 2015, 08:28:12 PM »
I was gonna buy a Stanley thermos for my Dad for Christmas, until I started reading online reviews that say they're made in China now and the quality is poor.

Another iconic American brand ruined.

Inkedup

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #30 on: March 08, 2015, 04:08:38 PM »

This thread makes me wonder if anyone has found decent made-in-the-USA alternatives for iconic brands that have been outsourced. Perhaps someone has had positive experiences with a small business?

Ex: I thought SmartWool trouser socks (at $20/pair) would last a lot longer than they have (they have worn thin at the heels after only 1-2 years, grr). A search turned up recommendations for a company in Vermont that makes wool socks that allegedly wear well. I haven't yet given them a try and so cannot vouch for them myself, but at least it's a possible alternative.

I'd also love to know if anyone can recommend good USA-made thermos brands, if such things still exist.

Anyone want to chime in on some of the items mentioned here such as tools, thermoses, jeans, etc.?

Honest Abe

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #31 on: March 08, 2015, 04:13:02 PM »
Costco jeans are $13.99 a pair. And they're sturdy as hell

ChrisLansing

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #32 on: March 08, 2015, 08:43:41 PM »

This thread makes me wonder if anyone has found decent made-in-the-USA alternatives for iconic brands that have been outsourced. Perhaps someone has had positive experiences with a small business?

Ex: I thought SmartWool trouser socks (at $20/pair) would last a lot longer than they have (they have worn thin at the heels after only 1-2 years, grr). A search turned up recommendations for a company in Vermont that makes wool socks that allegedly wear well. I haven't yet given them a try and so cannot vouch for them myself, but at least it's a possible alternative.

I'd also love to know if anyone can recommend good USA-made thermos brands, if such things still exist.

Anyone want to chime in on some of the items mentioned here such as tools, thermoses, jeans, etc.?

The VT socks are called "Darn Tough".   I bought 3 pairs about 6 months ago.   I have a hole in one heel, but the other 5 are fine.   I wonder if my washer is damaging the socks, or is it because I don't wear house slippers ?    Or do socks just not last.   I'm on my feet 8 hours a day at work so maybe that's the problem.    I can't even imagine socks lasting 2 years.   

seanc0x0

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #33 on: March 08, 2015, 08:51:17 PM »
I'm so annoyed with this as well!  We just paid for higher end laminate for our main floor.  We installed it last summer,so it's only about 6 months old.  Already we noticed two good sized chips in the flooring.  I contacted the store, who sent photos to the rep for the flooring manufacturer.  Not covered under warranty and no offer to compensate at all.  Basically a too-bad-so-sad response.

This morning my 5 year old was walking in the kitchen and got a big sliver out of the middle of a laminate plank.  A chunk of the decorative top layer of the plank chipped off and caught under his skin.  WTF??

We saved up for this flooring.  I'm so crushed.  :(

I am in the same boat as you.  We replaced the ancient crappy carpet in our house with high-end laminate, with much the same results.  I've had to put one of those office chair plastic mats under the dining room table since its a higher-wear area and we started to get chipping.  We've also got a couple spots where the interlocking has broken and one board now drops down a fraction of an inch further than its neighbours when you walk on it.

We got the same response from the companies that sold it. Too bad, so sad.  I guess we should have saved up longer and gone for hardwood.

The optimist in me makes sure to remind me that even the crappy laminate is better than the cat-piss soaked late-1970s brown shag we had when we moved in, though.

bzzzt

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #34 on: March 08, 2015, 09:57:02 PM »
Anyone want to chime in on some of the items mentioned here such as tools, thermoses, jeans, etc.?

Mechanics tools, I try to buy used if possible. Older, used American made stuff is usually still better than new China. If it's something I use all the time and I need it to last, Snap-On or S-K. Love my swivel head, long handled 3/8" drive Snap-On ratchet. Cost more than most Craftsman tool sets @ $140, but it's paid for itself in my mind.

Electrical tools, Klein or Ideal. Check the packaging to confirm USA made. Klein is better about it, but they moved certain lines overseas. Ideal is starting to bring tools back (wire strippers, lineman's pliers, etc).

Boots, Thorogood (http://www.theunionbootpro.com/). Union made in Wisconsin. The 8" flat bottom, composite toe boots are like slippers compared to some brands. Really makes a difference on a 10-12+ hour day. Soles are softer, but I still get 2500-3000hrs working in them. They just started selling replacement soles, too.

Work clothes, Tyndale (http://www.tyndaleusa.com/), certain Carhartt, Bulwark. Love my Tyndale cargo work pants, light enough for summer and they don't get real heavy like thick denim when wet. I bust the crotch seams out after a few years. Working in them for 40-90hrs/week, I don't expect them to last much longer. Bulwark jeans lasted 6 years before I wore the knees out, but it takes 2-3 years to break them in.

abhe8

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #35 on: March 08, 2015, 10:09:41 PM »
Thanks bzzzt!

Daley

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Re: Tired of companies producing poor quality products
« Reply #36 on: March 08, 2015, 10:41:48 PM »
Two years ago I spent a couple hundred more to buy a Dell laptop (over HP or Toshiba), because I had bought a Dell laptop that lasted for 8 years in the late 1990s. Well, it was trouble from day one - needed a new motherboard in the first month - and it finally crapped out on me for good this past week. I read along the way that Dells are made in a different location or with different parts now.

My solution, especially with technology, is to go as cheap as possible and just expect to replace it often. It sucks and is rather unenvironmental, but I don't know what else to do.

Not the route to go as there's still some quality electronics, but they're not exactly available through the normal consumer channels.

Dell still makes decent laptops, but they're all business/enterprise machines. The secret is to buy refurbished Latitude and Precision laptops. Same with Lenovo. Refurbished Thinkpad T/W/X series models, and Thinkpads have a strong user and fan base here. US Micro is a good source for either. Going Linux for the operating system helps, too. Code bloat with the desktop environment can be a far less serious problem on that end, as there's distros that target leaner system specs.

Desktops, build your own. Get a motherboard (and graphics card if needed) with solid polymer capacitors instead of electrolyte caps, use a decent Corsair power supply, and stick it behind an APC uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with auto voltage regulation (AVR). Use a WD or Hitachi hard drive if you go mechanical, Intel, Samsung, Sandisk or Corsair if you go SSD.

Cellphones are another front where used and lower end tends to pay off. You stay away from touchscreens and smartphones, and if you go with the older Nokia candy bar phones (with and without QWERTY keyboard), they'll wear like iron... these things can easily be picked up used for well under $100 depending on what you're looking for (most under $50). My old C3 is nigh indestructible. Also, any phone rated for IP67/68, or MIL-STD-810F/G can be reasonably stout as well, so long as it's not a slab smartphone... but the IP rating is a bit more reliable rule of thumb as there's standards compliance. Simpler the better. Samsung makes some rugged handsets.

Asus still makes decent routers, Arris/Motorola makes decent cable modems, both typically suffer the shortest lifespan at the power adapter. Replace that and they keep trucking. Not sure who's making decent LCD monitors these days, but a key secret is to keep the power adapter external, so look for power bricks. I've got an eight year old Acer IPS panel on it's second power supply, and no surgery involved to fix it unlike the bad caps on the internal power supply with the other monitors I've fixed.

We're at the peak of a consumer/disposable culture economy with planned obsolescence targeted across the board, but with careful and choice shopping on the electronics end, there's some ways around it.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2015, 10:46:20 PM by I.P. Daley »

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!