The Secret of Ink Jet Printers.

**a completely inoffensive name** · 09-14-2011, 02:30

Originally Posted by gaelic cowboy

Think I posted this before but it's relevant to the thread, it's all about planned obsolescence

http://dotsub.com/view/aed3b8b2-1889...3-ad85f5572f27

Basically it's a docu on printers and lightbulbs and why they purposely fail etc.

Haven't watched the documentary yet, but I am skeptical about "crappy" products being a planned obsolescence. When you try to compete in a global market with countries like China, US companies have to resort to the same kind of cheap labor. In the process of pushing their products cost down, quality must be sacrificed. No one wants to limit themselves into the "high end" market, they want as many potential customers they can get. In order to do that nowadays, you gotta get the costs down.

**gaelic cowboy** · 09-14-2011, 17:58

Originally Posted by a completely inoffensive name

Haven't watched the documentary yet, but I am skeptical about "crappy" products being a planned obsolescence. When you try to compete in a global market with countries like China, US companies have to resort to the same kind of cheap labor. In the process of pushing their products cost down, quality must be sacrificed. No one wants to limit themselves into the "high end" market, they want as many potential customers they can get. In order to do that nowadays, you gotta get the costs down.

Then I suggest you watch the documentary then and see.

**a completely inoffensive name** · 09-15-2011, 09:19

Originally Posted by gaelic cowboy

Then I suggest you watch the documentary then and see.

I watched the documentary. And I think they got their facts right, for light bulbs and printers. I still don't think that my theory and the planned obsolescence are mutually exclusive. Planned obsolescence is a good way to stay competitive against cheap chinese manufacturing. The end of documentary has the guy saying he wants us to go back to the 1960s. Planned obsolescence it said earlier has been touted and introduced since the beginning of the 20th century. I don't think that companies wanted to go down that route until the world stage got more competitive.