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In reply to the discussion: The Toaster- the greatest example of wasting money [View all]KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)38. with light bulbs it started much earlier
They initially lasted 2,500 hours or more. The major companies formed a cartel and would fine each other if they caught one making bulbs that lasted longer than the target. In the 1920s they set a target that no lightbulb should last more than 1000 hours. Lightbulbs today last an average of 800 hours.
Japanese cars made major gains in the 1970s by violating the 7 year target of American car makers. A Honda from the late 1970s can do 250,000 miles. While a K car was designed to be in the scrap heap at 80,000. The Cubans love American cars from the 1950s because they can be repaired.
They are still shortening the life of products. 3 years used to be short enough now they are down around 18 to 24 months.
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If choice between warranties is any indication (and it is), then definitely not.
phantom power
Aug 2012
#6
Along the same lines, I can't figure out why anyone would spend more than
TwilightGardener
Aug 2012
#3
Or you can get a Mitsubishi EVO X for $34,000 that will do 0-60 in 4.4 secs..
Fumesucker
Aug 2012
#55
I can't tell you how many small appliances I have stuck in out of the way corners. Americans want
Booster
Aug 2012
#4
How I admire you for knowing how to fix shit. I'm a 7- yr old woman and not smart enough to fix
Booster
Aug 2012
#40
Sounds like your bed lamp and fan were sharing the same hot wire, and he re-wired it
snooper2
Aug 2012
#48
We went thru coffeemakers too - like crazy. Cuisinart and other fancy models thinking that
jillan
Aug 2012
#26
My toaster was made by the same corporation that builds nuclear plants. It failed after four years.
Scuba
Aug 2012
#11
I have to have a 4-slice wide-slot toaster (also inexpensive) because we love bagels.
HopeHoops
Aug 2012
#13
Keurig, K-cups, and Green Mountain coffee and its ilk are the greatest wastes of money
FarCenter
Aug 2012
#22
I have a post up on the Frugal Living group about this issue on a lot more expensive scale..
Fumesucker
Aug 2012
#23
My wife says, "Aw, that's so sweet and cute." I'm sitting here laughing
coalition_unwilling
Aug 2012
#57
+1. i remember when this model started coming in circa late 60s early 70s. there was a definite
HiPointDem
Aug 2012
#36
I had an HP laptop that crapped out on me after 3 years. I was told that was not uncommon!!
jillan
Aug 2012
#28
I've been using the same $9.95 Proctor-Silex toaster almost daily since 1989
slackmaster
Aug 2012
#41