Swingman notes:

In the case of Widget A, the company making its product cheaper is stil
marketing it's good name with an inferior product (the Unisaw fits here).

Defense: Buy used!

It's very sad.

You're right about that!

The biggest problem with that defense is that at some point, sooner rather than
later IME, you're buying used in the cheap **** category, and we're all a lot
worse off.

I do not know what the answer is, but it may have something to do with longer
term planning for companies, or for less widespread ownership that is better
known. When the owners were family, more products stood the test of time
because the family reputation was based on their service and honesty. Today,
the only thing based on the product is the profit margin for the next 90 days.
Long term planning is done for this time next year.

Pfui.

Charlie Self
"America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the
well-wisher to freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and
vindicator only of her own." John Quincy Adams