jakdedert wrote:
Why would you suggest that a manufacturer keep a one to one parts
inventory for every set that went out the factory door? That suggests
that *every* part on *every set will fail and need to be replaced.

I was being pedantic. I'm famous for it!

Spare parts should not be considered a profit center.

Remember that when you write out a bill. "To supply spare parts at cost
price". I'm sure the customer will be very happy and you can tell us
all how to run a business that doesn't need to make a profit.

reliable, only a minimum of spares should be needed.

Perhaps you will lend manufacturers your crystal ball for the next
production run?

the company
makes more money on a replacement *device* than replacement *parts*.

Rubbish, that arugument falls over when you tell a customer that a 3
year old telly
made by XYZ can't be repaired as a £10 part can't be obtained. Would
the customer buy another XYZ set?

For the most part so far, they've voted for 'cheap'.

Or as Alan Mike Sugar puts it, "If they want to pay crap prices then
give them crap at crap prices".