Re: TV repairs future

From: Art (stubby_at_comcast.net)
Date: 06/23/04 

Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 06:45:23 -0400

Biggest problem seems to be the fact that we want quality equipment for low
$$. Then when it goes bad want instant repair or replacement, not
considering what happens after the original is relegated to the curb side
hopper. The average end user has absolutely no concept of what happens after
the items are introduced to the maggot wagon or recycling vehicle. Once it
is removed from their residence it is no longer their concern. Many devices
either contain materials that are detrimental to the environment or are
worth recycling because they contain precious metals, such as gold edge
connectors, etc. The average customer does not want to have to take their
devices, let alone their discharged batteries, to a recycling center to have
them properly disposed of. BTW how many people actually call a refrigeration
service company to retrieve the coolant from their rejected freezer and
fridges before putting out to pasture? That is the law in many areas the
coolant must be appropriately disposed of if not recycled, and the device be
properly tagged before disposal. Also seems that the manufacturers of the
electronic devices have fallen into the throw away syndrome, where cheap,
yes cheap, devices are marketed without any thought of service information
let alone parts. The consumer only sees a product, marketed at a very
incentive $$$ value, and buys it. When it fails, out to the curb side
facility again, the cycle repeats: al infiinitum. Sad to say, much of this
is to the chagrin of the professinal srvice companies and technicians.
"b" <reverend_rogers@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1cfa6663.0406221617.4eebacfe@posting.google.com...
> "Jerry G." <jerryg50@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:<cb7f7s$dv5$1@news.eusc.inter.net>...(snip). We later
>> went to a major appliance dealer, and bought a new stove. We had it
>> delivered within 24 hours, and we were okay again. I did the same for the
>> fridge as well. The compressor started to fail after about 15 years. We
>> had
>> a new fridge within a few days. I didn't even bother ask about fixing
>> this
>> one.
>
> Well Jerry, 15 years from any machine isn't bad!
>
> To be fair, I find "White" goods like fridges, cookers etc almost
> always outlive "brown" goods like TVs , stereos, VCRS etc.
> 'Repairability' varies:
>
> Most fridges round here are dumped because : the door lining/seals
> fail, they look tatty, handles and internal plastic mountigs break,
> etc. In the case of my folks, the lower door hinge rotted due to
> exposure to humidity. My mother- in- law has a frideg with ice
> compartment from the late 1970s which is fine mechanically but the
> ice-compartment flap is broken, altering the temperature of the rest
> of the fridge. But the elctronics in both cases were fine. Wouldn't
> like to imagine a price to replace the compressor though, mind
> you....When that happens it is probably dump time.
>
> Some microwaves last a long time also: we have a 20 year old toshiba
> ,still perfect, just had to change the bulb.I've repaired a few on the
> cheap by cleaning, replacing switches/mica etc.
>
> So I suppose with white goods, these are worth repairing if you can do
> so cheaply by replacing "cosmetic" parts.
>
> I hope that the environmental concerns surrounding this consumerism
> will force governments and manufacturers to provide more support and
> promote servicing as opposed to dumping. Otherwise we will soon be
> living in a toxic landfill. We can't carry on ignoring the waste. We
> can buy home entertainment products new for next to nothing, but the
> cost in other ways could end up coming back to haunt us.
>
> Dont know how accurate this is, I heard that the increasing growth of
> Chinese industry has meant greater scarcity and /or demand for raw
> materials, so this could make the situation even more pressing.
>
> Ben

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