My Theory

[aimeeandbeatles]

I've noticed that things break down just after the warranty runs out.

My theory is the companies include a timer inside their products, so when the warranty runs out, the product breaks down and you have to buy a new one.

 

[Truronian]

My theory is that your theory would cost too much to impliment.

 

[Mirc]

Wow, are you serious? There is no possible way in which you could put a timer inside a product to break down at a defined time. And why would they do that? To lower the people's opinion about them?

Edit: CROSSpost!!!

 

[Bozo Erectus]

I've noticed that things break down just after the warranty runs out.

My theory is the companies include a timer inside their products, so when the warranty runs out, the product breaks down and you have to buy a new one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence_%28business)

 

[Stolen Rutters]

I've noticed that things break down just after the warranty runs out.

My theory is the companies include a timer inside their products, so when the warranty runs out, the product breaks down and you have to buy a new one.

No, it's the other way around.

The product is tested to find the approximate life of the product under a given test cycle and the length of the warranty is roughly based on how long the tested products last.

The really good companies have correlated the test cycle to historical customer experiences of similar products. Thus, that thing you bought will last about as long as the warranty that comes with the product. As the product is made with cheaper and cheaper materials, it wears out faster. They would just shorten the warranty to the life of the product.

edit - "crosspost" Planned obsolescence is a more diabolical technique, as the thing usually still works (obsoleting old ink cartridge designs every year or two is my least favorite example). The op is talking about the products that actually wear out right after the warranty expires. My last three car batteries failed within a week and a half of the end of the warranty, just like clockwork.

 

[Riffraff]

well a timer would kinda be obvious and easy to detect - but many companies definately engineer their products so that they run stable during the warranty but don't last too long after it expires.

edit: well after looking at the above post - that obviously makes more sense. What stands though is that companies have no incentive to build ever-lasting products.

 

[Elrohir]

At last, the evil corporations diabolical conspiracy has been unmasked! They could have continued their evil plot for all time, if not for our brave 14 year old Canadian hero with internet access and not enough homework! God bless you aimeeandbeatles for discovering the truth!

 

[Murky]

No. What actually happens is that products are thoroughly tested for durability. Engineers mathematically estimate how long the product will last with normal use. That is usually about how long the product is covered under warranty, the estimated life of the product. You can purchase extended plans, but that is essentially paying for a replacement up front.

 

[Masquerouge]

Why would a company purposedly piss off its customers? Usually they want them to be happy and satisfied so that they come back...

 

[nivi]

Why would a company purposedly piss off its customers? Usually they want them to be happy and satisfied so that they come back...

Theres a story here about a company that sold nylon socks, and they were so strong and good that everyone bought them, but then the company almost went bankrupt becuase they were so strong people rarely needed to replace them, and then they delibratly lowered their quality.

Could be just a myth though.

 

[Bluemofia]

Why would a company purposedly piss off its customers? Usually they want them to be happy and satisfied so that they come back...

Oh the warranties are long enough for a reasonable lifetime for the product. If they aren't reasonable for the product, and they break quickly after, people won't buy it.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

This could certainly explain why my TV broke the day after it's warranty ran out.

Though maybe not my seemingly indestructable radio.

 

[cthom]

Theres a story here about a company that sold nylon socks, and they were so strong and good that everyone bought them, but then the company almost went bankrupt becuase they were so strong people rarely needed to replace them, and then they delibratly lowered their quality.

Could be just a myth though.

probably not. the one i heard was about hotpoint (i think) washing machines. they lasted so long they couldn't sell enough to make money. it was this that led to 'built-in obsolescence'. products were given a definite life-span.

 

[Jawz II]

Once I had a CD-walkman break 1 week after the 1 year warranty ran out.

I do belive things were made better years ago. In capitalism, if you make a good product that isnt complete crap and breaks down, then you sign your own death warrant. Sadly, both for us the consumers who have no other choice than to buy crap, and for the enviroment.

 

[Masquerouge]

Theres a story here about a company that sold nylon socks, and they were so strong and good that everyone bought them, but then the company almost went bankrupt becuase they were so strong people rarely needed to replace them, and then they delibratly lowered their quality.

Could be just a myth though.

I've heard a similar story in my marketing class about a company that did potato peelers. They were so great nobody ever needed to replace them, and so their sales stagnated. Then they decided to change the handle so that it was the exact color of a potato peel, hoping that people would throw it away with the peels...

Oh the warranties are long enough for a reasonable lifetime for the product. If they aren't reasonable for the product, and they break quickly after, people won't buy it.

But if they're reasonable, then what's wrong with them?

 

[LucyDuke]

My theory is that descriptive titles lead to better threads.

But anyway, I think you're giving a bit too much credit to manufacturers. How are they to know whether you'll buy an extended warranty? Moreover, how could they set a timer to start when you buy the product rather than when it ships? Something could sit on a shelf for months, or it could be used very, very lightly, or roughly, or any number of things. The crap we buy today is definitely not designed to last forever, and they probably schedule the warranty according to the typical lifetime of the product, but usage patterns are so various that a guess is the best they'll ever do.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

They set the timer so it knows when you buy it. It has a special airseal when you open the box the timer starts up

 

[skadistic]

They realy don't make things like they use to. Things are actualy designed to break nowadays.

 

[Bluemofia]

But if they're reasonable, then what's wrong with them?

Then nothing if they are reasonable.

 

[Alvaro da Luna]

To quote Chris Rock:

We can send a man to the moon, and you're telling Chrysler can't make a bumper that doesn't fall off?