Greetings!
I've spent a few decades on this planet and I have enough experience to strongly assert the following statement from the hilltops: THINGS JUST DON'T LAST THE WAY THEY USED TO!
I don't think this is any clearer than in the world of home appliances. I know people who have appliances that are old enough to legally vote in some jurisdictions. But, more and more, appliances are meeting an early demise and rarely make it out of appliance infancy before being kicked to the curb. I am pleased that my last washing machine lasted me 10 years, and when it choked out its last load followed by a self-satisfying gurgle of water mixed faintly with fabric softener onto my basement floor, I felt as if an era had passed. I knew I would never spend 10 years with the same washing machine again.
These days, when an appliance breaks, we don't even dare to call out a repairman. (Imagine how unwanted the Maytag repairman must truly feel now?) Here's how it goes:
Why is this? Is it that the new technology is too expensive to repair? Is it the the new quality is that much poorer than previously? Or is it that the desire to have the latest/greatest/biggest/best wins out in the end?
I like forming relationships with people and things. But, appliances simply don't last long enough these days for me to get to know them. It seems as though I've only just welcomed them home before I'm off looking for a replacement.
I've spent a few decades on this planet and I have enough experience to strongly assert the following statement from the hilltops: THINGS JUST DON'T LAST THE WAY THEY USED TO!
I don't think this is any clearer than in the world of home appliances. I know people who have appliances that are old enough to legally vote in some jurisdictions. But, more and more, appliances are meeting an early demise and rarely make it out of appliance infancy before being kicked to the curb. I am pleased that my last washing machine lasted me 10 years, and when it choked out its last load followed by a self-satisfying gurgle of water mixed faintly with fabric softener onto my basement floor, I felt as if an era had passed. I knew I would never spend 10 years with the same washing machine again.
These days, when an appliance breaks, we don't even dare to call out a repairman. (Imagine how unwanted the Maytag repairman must truly feel now?) Here's how it goes:
- The repair call is a minimum of $100.
- Invariably, the repair cost is several hundred dollars more.
- The total cost to repair the existing appliance is at least half the price of a brand new appliance.
Why is this? Is it that the new technology is too expensive to repair? Is it the the new quality is that much poorer than previously? Or is it that the desire to have the latest/greatest/biggest/best wins out in the end?
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