Legal rights
26 May 2009Not lasting the distance
Whether you’re a conspiracy theorist or not, at some point you’ve probably suspected what any tech-loving man or woman would suspect – that products are designed to last as long as the warranty period, not a moment longer.
A short article on Wired.com explores the two major reasons why we think this is so and makes for fun (or frustrating) reading.
There’s the idea companies have got product life spans down to an exact science. It’s a beguiling idea, particularly after your iPod or DVD player deteriorates before your very eyes – and you realise you’ve owned these products for a few days past the warranty period.
But there’s also a psychological explanation. Apparently, we are more attuned to losses than we are to gains – which would explain why we acutely remember the couple of products that fail after a year and not the ones still chugging along after half a decade.
I’ve actually had a good run with technology recently (although I’ll bet that’ll change after stating that). Perhaps I don’t expect it to last long. But a lot of people around me have had a string of unfortunate gadget breakdowns, from MP3 players to computers.
Of course you have rights to claim repairs, a replacement or even a refund using the Consumer Guarantees Act, but wouldn't it be better if they lasted for a reasonable life, avoiding the hassle, and allowing you to get the enjoyment you paid for?
So what’s your theory? Have major companies really got product manufacturing down to such a fine art that they can predict something’s lifespan to within a few hours? Or is it all in our heads? I think I can guess how most of the comments will read.
Tristan Clark - Technical Writer
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Comments
I have just bought a new Fisher and Paykel washing machine in the hope it may last as long as its predecessor, also a F & P, which was new into this house in 1976...
And only gave up the ghost because the rubber hoses finally perished away. Had it repaired twice in that time, at low cost.
Will the new one outlast me ?
It's a different world now, isn't it ?
I've had a HDD or two "go" but my PC's run 24x7 as servers, so I can't be surprised. I've been pleased to have several Video Cards and HDD replaced as they have 2 year warrenties. My theory is that most components go OK most of the time. I do wish there was a law that prevented "extended warrenties" and that retailers had to explain that they don't need to worry as "it's covered under the CGA".
Posted this in other section, but spotted here, might be better
Hey All,
I have got a 50" Sony Grand Wega Projection TV, 3.5 years old. It stared getting a large Blue streak on it a few months ago and now blue spots all over it getting worse by the day, gonna head to Sony shortly over this. Any idea how long this should be covered for, warrenty expired, but a 5K TV should last a bit longer than that.
Have seen a lot of oversea posts on this, but keen to hear of any NZ stories similar,
Cheers
My mum lives in Auckland but I now reside in the States (married a Yank - yeah, I said it!...lol...); she forwarded me an e-mail containing this link and I just wanted to reassure all my ex-fellow Kiwis that this "built-in planned obsolescence" by tech manufacturers is most definitely NOT a figment of your imagination! Hubby & I have owned several Dell PCs here in the USA over the last few years (since 2003) - all supposedly "state-of-the-art" in their day. The two we bought in 2003 and 2004 - at considerable cost, I might add ("all the bells n' whistles") - both died beyond repair shortly after their respective warranty periods expired. The laptop I bought in 2005 still runs but only just - you could time it with a calendar now, it takes so long to boot up and respond to any command. That, too, started falling apart shortly after the warranty period expired. Hubby has since given up on Dell and bought himself a "bells n' whistles" Shuttle - very happy with it, too. I'm on my last Dell now (purchased back in April - it's an Inspiron 530S running Vista). I paid a premium price at time of purchase to include a 3-year full-service extended warranty. What's the bet THIS one dies at its 3-year+1 day anniversary? Anyone? (yeah, I ain't touchin' that, either!...lol...) ;)P
Alan (re: sony grand wega tv)
Please consumer, can you pass this message to the above poster...
I have the same tv as you and have the same problem. Mine is being repaired currently via extended warranty. However:
There is a facebook group dedicated to the sony grand wega tv's that are failing. Granted its more american orientated 80% of the tvs were sold there.
Basically, its a common fault. not repairable.. Well the part can be replaced, But it will break again.
Sony are making silly offers and have not recalled the tv's. In fact just today sony tried to bribe the group founder. offered a new tv for free if he closed down the facebook group (group of 700 with a couple of sony spies)
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