Hi everyone, I am new here. Over the past couple of years, I have had to replace several household items much sooner than I expected. Things that used to last for years now seem to fail after a much shorter time, even when I buy well-known brands.
I am starting to wonder if it’s just bad luck or if overall product quality has really gone downhill. Have you noticed the same thing? Are there any brands you still trust because they’ve held up well over time?
I’d be interested to hear about your experiences before I make my next few purchases.
Absolutely! Companies cutting corners in production and materials to save a few pennies per unit. Also “planned obsolescence” is involved. Why make a refrigerator that lasts 25 years? If we make so it dies in five or ten years you buy one much earlier.
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If you look up the financials of the companies you’re talking about, I will bet you a dollar to a doughnut either they were purchased by a hedge fund or some other group that puts profits ahead of quality. That’s before they sell it off.
Welcome!
I’ve noticed the same thing. There are two sides to it: prices often drop for a reason, and many products seem to be built more disposable than they used to be.
One tip I’ve learned is to ask people who repair appliances what they recommend as brands to trust and features to stay away from before buying. They see which brands last and which ones fail.
Like Clark, I think Consumer Reports is a great resource, but not a complete one. I use it as a starting point and then look for feedback from repair pros and long-term owners.