Opinion article- Landfill economy

[4WD]

My decision to repair or replace is based on the cost of parts, whether repair is feasible (often meaning, by me), my impression of how good the article is, and the cost of a new one. Two examples:

I junked a dishwasher of a non standard brand, of an unknown age - but seemed quite old, that wasn't doing a very good job when it was working, when the needed part alone was $200. I replaced it with a Bosch dishwasher.

I repaired a washing machine that was a good model of a reasonably good brand (Maytag), was fairly new, that did a good job when it worked, and I found a website that described how to do the otherwise expensive repair and offered the needed parts for $25. The repair estimate for a professional was $350 - $400. Took me one Saturday morning and I saved about $1200 which is what a replacement would have cost. It was still working fine 10 years later when we sold the house. In retrospect paying for the professional repair would have been a good idea too but you don't know that at the time.

Our Maytags have watched kids grow up and move on - just keep going. And nobody in my family has had good runs from SK price dumpers … yet, I don’t know what to get when these die …
Nothing stays the same …

 

[Nukeman7]

Our Maytags have watched kids grow up and move on - just keep going. And nobody in my family has had good runs from SK price dumpers … yet, I don’t know what to get when these die …
Nothing stays the same …

Maytag still makes a Commercial Grade washer similar to the old heavy duty units from the 1990's. It's cheaper to buy it directly from Maytag Co. and comes with a 5 yr. warranty as opposed to the same unit purchased from a big-box store for more $ and a 1 year warranty. This Maytag will be my next washer when my current 16 y.o. LG front loader dies.

 

[ecotourist]

Maytag still makes a Commercial Grade washer similar to the old heavy duty units from the 1990's. It's cheaper to buy it directly from Maytag Co. and comes with a 5 yr. warranty as opposed to the same unit purchased from a big-box store for more $ and a 1 year warranty. This Maytag will be my next washer when my current 16 y.o. LG front loader dies.

I like the idea of a commercial grade product. The way our laundry area is set up we pretty much need a front opening washer and dryer. Hope those will be available when we need our next washer or dryer.

 

[PandaBear]

Maytag still makes a Commercial Grade washer similar to the old heavy duty units from the 1990's. It's cheaper to buy it directly from Maytag Co. and comes with a 5 yr. warranty as opposed to the same unit purchased from a big-box store for more $ and a 1 year warranty. This Maytag will be my next washer when my current 16 y.o. LG front loader dies.

My parents got Whirlpool commercial coin op ones, made like the 90s, cost $1k for a white paint boring unit most housewife would not want over a red Samsung with matching stands for $800.

That boring commercial coin op unit is shared among 4 families, with regular parts replacement lasted 20 years. Assuming 4x duty of a normal family this thing lasted like, 80 years in a standard household?

As I said before you need to pay up for quality instead of letting inflation kicks in and pay the same for fashion. Follow the people who do things for a living usually will land you the right decision in everything: uber driver for cars, apartment owners for washing machine and fridges, construction workers for pick up truck, cleaning ladies for detergent choices and vacuum cleaners, etc.

 

[Fitter30]

Meile w1213 clothes washer front loader. 24 years ago purchased one from Expo a home depot top of the line store from the scratch and dent department. Had to run as power for it 240 ac. Plug it in couldn't get the door to open. After 5 service calls tech couldn't get it to open electronically. Meile sent me a new machine. For 12 years there were 6 of us 3 & 3 kids and adults. At the 13 year mark it needed a hot water solenoid valve. Purchased one from eBay EU for 1/3 of USA cost. Knock on wood still going strong over 22 years. Cost of the washer was $1900 new. Expo $300 what I paid.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I like the idea of a commercial grade product. The way our laundry area is set up we pretty much need a front opening washer and dryer. Hope those will be available when we need our next washer or dryer.

I bought a Speed Queen washer 7 years ago, supposedly a commercial grade unit. The plastic water intake solenoid started to leak into the tank, just a few drips. It was barely covered under warranty with a few months to go so SQ repaired it for free. Maybe I'll get another 4 years out of that valve if it fails again, but hopefully it's an upgraded design. It's only a $30 part fortunately.

 

[ecotourist]

I bought a Speed Queen washer 7 years ago, supposedly a commercial grade unit.

Speed Queen products are a bit difficult to get in Canada. And I'm not sure where that would leave you when you needed a repair.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Yeah you have to wonder why things like washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and even a plug in kitchen item needs a micro processor.
Once its a few years (yeah more than just 2) old all that electronics becomes no longer available, thus turning that item into garbage. Just like someone mentioned the multi computerized cars and trucks nowadays. Even construction equipment like bulldozers etc.
It is like everything made now is designed to break down and be cost prohibitive to fix, not good times for fixed income folks that can't buy thousands of dollars of new home appliances that won't last nor even work good. Efficient front load washing machines that cost thousands can't even come close to cleaning as good as the old analog, top loader.
The big throw away items are the junk over seas shoes forced on us that won't come close to lasting a year. Designed to fail for sure.
I need to be pointed to a $200. shoe that will last 5 to 10 years.

 

[Sam_Julier]

Our Maytags have watched kids grow up and move on - just keep going. And nobody in my family has had good runs from SK price dumpers … yet, I don’t know what to get when these die …
Nothing stays the same …

Agree, we’ve had a Maytag washer and dryer since the ice melted.

They are well made.

 

[zzyzzx]

I don't know the author but I'm an engineer, so I'll give my worthless 2 cents on the article's point:

1. Globalization's great gift wasn't low prices--it was the collapse of durability
I don't think that was ever promised, but the fundamental is that trade is a human nature before we have cold wars, and globalization is just a marketing term for better or worse. Is the goal low price?

The goal is low producer prices, but not necessarily low consumer prices.

 

[Pew]

The big throw away items are the junk over seas shoes forced on us that won't come close to lasting a year. Designed to fail for sure.
I need to be pointed to a $200. shoe that will last 5 to 10 years.

Shoes are forced on us? That reminds me of my dad telling us to put our shoes on as we're leaving a relative's house, only to stay for another hour because they won't stop talking.

 

[supton]

Yeah you have to wonder why things like washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and even a plug in kitchen item needs a micro processor.

Because it's vastly easier to write code than it is to design with glue logic or a pure analog control system? No doubt, some setups are bad--bad touchscreens, displays, whatever--but it's likely not the micro that fails. IC's wound up being used due to high reliability (it's generally the parts around them that have issues, although anything can be pressed to the limit and have early death).

Micro's have been embedded for decades, nothing new here.

 

[PF52]

When was the last time someone drove a Camry till 250k miles and not trade in for another newer car? Between something that will last 300k vs 150k but 30% cheaper, most people would buy the one that last 150k and 30% cheaper.

That's a good point. Toyota used to have a commercial that showed a happy new Toyota buyer waving goodbye as they left the dealership in their new Toyota, proclaiming "see you guys again in a couple hundred thousand miles!" I always rolled my eyes at that, because more likely than not, those people are probably going to be ready for something new long before that. Most of those 250K Camrys (and other models) are on their 2nd or 3rd owners already. I'd bet that the one-owner 200+K cars are the exception, not the rule. People get bored and are quick to trade up.

 

[D60]

People are lazy, too. The Information Age is a double-edged sword but you can find instructions on how to fix A LOT of things.

I found a great vid on my LG front load and replaced the spider arm. That was a couple years ago. But yeah, I was glad I could get parts.

I also put a new door switch in our microwave with the help of vids.

Point is you used to have to have tons of formal or OJT training, or just call the repair guy. You could maybe visit the local library for a technical manual, although this was more promising in large cities than remote rural areas. Now, anyone can find how to repair most things -- if you're willing to take the time.

 

[ecotourist]

We wear out microwaves. We use them constantly and they usually don't last 5 years. So when we bought a new microwave at Sears we took out their 5 year free replacement warranty. Right on schedule it failed, fortunately just short of 5 years. We contacted Sears, who sent over a repair guy to check it out. He called Sears and told them it wasn't working and he could easily repair it. Sears said "No, have them bring it in for a replacement".

So we took it in and because they didn't have the same model, paid about $40 for an upgrade to a slightly larger model. They asked if we'd like to buy another 5 year free replacement warranty. No, we said, we don't think you'll be here in 5 years. The clerk looked shocked, but we were right, they were gone within a couple of years.

The repair guy being South Asian in this episode is significant because (as an apparently recent immigrant) he knew how to repair things. I can't see how Sears made any money here, and a repairable microwave got sent to the landfill.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Shoes are forced on us?

Yes, over priced junk ones are forced on us. Show me where to get a shoe that is made like in the 1960's? You know one that the sole won't come off in less than a year? Yeah in the day when they were sewed on and not just some crappy glue.

 

[Pew]

Yes, over priced junk ones are forced on us. Show me where to get a shoe that is made like in the 1960's? You know one that the sole won't come off in less than a year? Yeah in the day when they were sewed on and not just some crappy glue.

Shoes have significantly advanced since the 60s; nobody is running marathons and beating records with screws in their shoes. IMO that's like equating bias ply tires to radials.

Sure, if you misuse the shoes then they'll wear prematurely but certain shoes for certain tasks. Kind of like tires.

 

[tbm5690]

Yes, over priced junk ones are forced on us. Show me where to get a shoe that is made like in the 1960's? You know one that the sole won't come off in less than a year? Yeah in the day when they were sewed on and not just some crappy glue.

I've never had a sole separate...I also don't buy junk shoes. $200 gets you a solid pair of running shoes or dress shoes, or something in between.

 

[PandaBear]

Yes, over priced junk ones are forced on us. Show me where to get a shoe that is made like in the 1960's? You know one that the sole won't come off in less than a year? Yeah in the day when they were sewed on and not just some crappy glue.

My $40 pair of Puma lasted me 5 years and still intact. I actually bought a pair of dress shoes to reattach the base once and it was $20, fell off after 2 years.

 

[GON]

Can't help but wonder if a few posters are working very submissive misinformation campaigns in support of an adversary. Very subtle.

Sad.