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A Whirlpool technician, working for Best Buy where we purchased our appliances came out to the house today to troubleshoot our stove since the oven was not heating properly.
As with all technicians, my wife and I strike up a conversation, to pass the time but also because if you get to know worker, perhaps better service will be offered... of course, conversations are no guarantee of that happening.
This technician told us that the manufacturers engineer into their appliances the problem so that they can sell a $10 part for $180 down the road. He said they call it, built in obsolescence and some manufacturers are better at it than others.
For example, LG and GE stoves have gas leaks because they use cheap valves and washers. Whirlpool does not have gas leaks but typically has igniter problems because of cheap materials.
Also, if a new igniter is touched by human hands (without gloves) then that igniter will need to be replaced in a couple of months. Some techs know this, others don't while other don't care.
Another fact our tech shared with us is that GE is no longer owned by an American company, a Chinese company owns GE and most of the parts inside are cheap.
Replacement parts and Warranties are where these manufacturers really make their money... second to having to replace the unit in 3-5 years because it simply does not work any longer. This is BUILT IN OBSOLESCENCE...
When my parents purchased their appliances, they would last for 20-30 years, sometimes longer. Greedy manufacturers decided to build their appliances so that they would need to be replaced every 3-5 years. This was specifically designed to increase their long-term revenues.
If anything, built in obsolescence is the DOWNSIDE of capitalism and the GREED that seems to be possessing ALL AMERICANS.
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