About disposable gadgets.

I too don't like this consumer society mentality..the whole "There's a new gadget out..must be time to junk the one that's still working just fine again" thing! I dunno how anyone can sit down and watch these shopping channels for hours on end and buy the junk they're selling..the items aren't useful,thery're useless.they're supposed to be timesaving appliances..you'd spend more time setting them up beforehand and cleaning up after them than it would take to do something by hand,and finding someplace to store them? My kitchen's not lined with shelves like a library to line all this stuff up on..

Yes, that makes me angry to buy something and have it quit working just about the time the warranty runs out. It costs as much to fix it as it does to buy a new one, even if you can find someone who can fix it. And, as you said, parts for it are discontinued as a new model is introduced. They want us to keep buying new ones every year. I refuse to do so. I bought an old wringer washer and use that, and I have an Osterizer, too, that is a mixer, a food processor and has a dough hook, too. That's all I ever need and I don't even use it often. I'm going back to doing everything by hand. Knives, forks and whisks do it with less fuss than expensive junk anyway.

I guess nothing is forever. If you are lucky, you will get a high qualify gadget on your hands, and you can use it for a long while. If you are not. For a while, it might die on your hand. For instance, I bought a DVD player for $20, after 3 months, it just won't play again. That just how much it worth I guess. $20 for the period of 3 months.

Well, although I do not buy many household appliances (you know, I am a man), I know for a certainty that in all these years we are living in an era of pure consumerism. I noted this fact, realizing that twenty years ago when you bought a washing machine for example, you would have lasted much over time. In fact, my mother bought a washing machine in the 80's and lasted just 20 years. When changed, buying a more modern one, had it for 3 times! This is because the appliances were once much more durable than those produced today!

hello, I also fell victim to that, I bought things simply because they look good and cheap only to find out they conk out easily, I promised myself never to commit the same mistake again, I would now buy a superior product over an inferior one even if there is a difference in price, I am more aware now on checking brands and countries of origin, you are right my friend, we spend our hard earned money to make these people rich and we do not get what it is worth. For more expensive appliances, I check reviews, sites and blogs to compare before i buy anything.

I think that's the new trend, nowadays. Everything is disposable, so we get to buy a new one, every so often. Even cars, don't last forever, anymore. The materials used are lighter and less durable. On cellphones, for example, the newer models are easily broken than those available about 10 years ago.

It is true we live in a time of disposable gadgets, but the upside to it is that even though expensive they are cheaper in relation then the gadgets were in the old days. I mean my Mom has a washing machine that is at least 30 years old, it still works (it is showing signs of wear and tear though) but it was nearly the same value as a brand new one now. The same applies to my first computer that still works, it is over 20 years old (It is very weak can't even handle a router modem), but it cost more then all the computers I have bought since combined. I bought a hand held blender 4 years ago that I dropped and broke the blade tube, I wanted just that part, I ended up buying a new machine that is much more powerful for less then the previous one cost. The fact that brands are making cheaper models means they have to cut on the quality, it also means that the factories are always producing new models to be more competitive and when buying a new gadget, it implies that the factories that produce the part, cannot keep stocking parts for older models as there is always a new model coming out, which needs new products take preference. That being said the fact that I know and understand this doesn't make it any less annoying, at least were I live they take the old appliances(both big and small) in and recycle them which is better then going to a rubbish dump and sitting there taking up space.

Indeed! I understand your sentiments! Seems like things these days are no longer for long-term - even marriage, it's sad. I hope there's some consumer group that would start banging on these corporation's doors demanding for quality because it seems that they're just good for a few months or so and they costs lost of money then our pets could even outlive them! I remember buying a lot of stuff that I considered "waste". We had bought these sets of knives that were said to be absolutely dull-free, then after a year or so, they'd go dull and when we go for the warranty, they'd say those products have been discontinued! Whew!!!! They said that there's something newer with a better "guarantee"! I think we're just being made stupid by these marketing people! I demand quality! Have a great MylOt experience ahead!

I use to work for a major appliance manufacturer and they build in wearout dates into their products. They want you to be a repeat customer, so they do not build their appliances to last. They work to establish a continuous cashflow, not to build an appliance that will last.

When we buy such things, I think it is better to go for a choice with a reputed compnay, even if it stop working, we can get technical assistance, mechanics or part of the machine. I have a bike and for the ast 2 years the model is topped for further manufacture. When I took it for the last time, they were infomed that the spare part wont be available after a year or so. It any major works to be done, and some replacement is required, we will be really in trouble. Also, it is not ideal to spend a lot of money for gadgets as there are new and much more advance items are available in the market and the out dated one will never taken care of after the use of 4-5 years.

How I feel? Its a lif cycle, somehow somewhere those who we make rich at our expense would make others rich at their expense too. The cycle continues and nothing can stop it

That's how most products are manufactured nowadays. When it breaks down there are no replacement parts, so you have to buy a new one. They love this, so they can make money out of manufacturing more.

In this modern world we have lot of modern gadgets like computer, smart phone and so on, but mostly this kind of electronic items is having a short span life compared to previous decades. Now a days there is no guarantee for electronic items and most of them will be spoiled soon. Some of this electronic equipment are disposable, as we don't have the ability to change some electronic goods. Some electronic items are exchangeable and we can exchange them to get a new one, whereas some of the items are in use and throw manner, we don't have the ability to use the electronic item again if it is broken as well as don't have the ability to repair it, as well as now a days most of the electronic items have short life with a short guarantee period. It is really hard to imagine our life without this modern gadgets, since most of us are using this modern items in various ways, if we use them in a good manner, we will achieve a lot in our business.

so so true marguicha, Things are getting spoilt so fast. I have seen it too. The companies know it that we will need the things so they make it very delicate and easily spoilt types. One we buy again and again. they are eating our hard earned money. Before gadgets used to last so long like lasting for a life time. thanks for sharing. have a wonderful day

Some people very happy with these stuff becuase these make their life becomes so easier. Now we don't have to make coffee by ourself or afraid if our clothes wasn't dry in time, etc. All those stuff help us so much, especially for business man or career woman who lives independenly. in other side this often make us stuck and so spoil.I agree that they made us to be their slave, but actually some of us also enjoy it. we just need to be more careful about how to choose disposable gadget. choose branded may be better

Hi! I think that the highest the technoogy is, the more possible it is for the gadget to have probems. My mother had her old kitchen for more than 15 years, she bought it when she got married and she still had it until a few years ago! Then, she bought a new one and it had the first problems in 3 years. The old kitchens had the basics, but the new ones have programs, clock, auto rasting and so many other functions that have many possibilities to need replacement very soon. I think that this philoshophy with the gadgets comes from our tendency to always replace our old stuff for the new ones that are fancier and with more functions. So, when we buy the last trend we should also think that it might be faulty, because it probably uses something innovative (or else it wouldn't be so trendy). And this innovative function hasn't been tested through the years and it can bring up problems later. This is not always the case, but I've seen it happening so many times with mobile phones. I have to say that I am traditional with the house stuff! I want my life to be easy but I don't want depend on them entirely. And I also care more about a product that's tested and will last longer, even if it won't make everything by itself.

Mine is on printers. Many years ago we invested on one and it lasts forever with good use of its consumables parts, such as the toners. We can get a new one now at a very low price, but it eats up expensive inks and toners like crazy. I even have one printer which I hardly use; but the one time I was going to use it, it would not print because the inks needed to be replaced. I think those expensive inks even have a life of 6 months only or something; they will still need to be replaced even when they are not used...

Since my husband and i have a small budget, we seldom buy gadgets and appliances, but when we do, it's usually a whole lot cheaper if we look for second-hand stuff. If they break down, he likes to tinker with them and some he can fix. I suggest, if you're going to buy quality items, do it if you have the budget, and purchase from trusted brands with warranties and stuff.