On Fri, 13 May 2011 15:57:34 +0100, TheScullster wrote:

"djc" wrote

On 13/05/11 13:37, TheScullster wrote:

I suppose a key question is "Can you have increased sophistication
without a
loss of reliability?". If the answer to this is no, then I guess we are
resigned to repairs/replacement over a shorter life cycle.

White goods are a mature product, I don't think there is anything to add
in
terms of sophistication. 'Sophistication' just means gimicks and more
poorly designed innovations to fail. Modern manufacturing ought to be
able to make the same basic components with greater precision and quality
control. So there might be an increased cost for quality raw materials.
The
problem seems to be the prevailing accountants' and marketeers' view of
business. Sell shiny, sell cheap, sell often.



But if it is possible to build reliable sophistication, then how much
would
it cost to achieve this and to build the entire machine to last 10-15
years
for instance?

Personally I would consider paying 50-75% more for a product that will
definitely last 10 years (hopefully more) instead of 5. The aggro of
pricing, arranging delivery and even fitting if it's integrated or
whatever
is enough to make me want white goods to last. But then I'm not that
interested in having the latest "must have" gadgets.

The price of things has fallen relative to incomes. I suppose if we were
prepared to pay as much as our parents and grandparent for things which
were once considered luxuries we would insist on them lasting a lifetime.

Good point - it may be that we would need to pay not 50% more but 500% more
for true "quality"!

Phil

Well, 100% more perhaps
http://shop.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/New+A...7015d8c69d9430
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway