Planned obsolescence or built-in obsolescence[1] is the process of a product becoming obsolete or non-functional after a certain period or amount of use in a way that is planned or designed by the manufacturer.[1] Planned obsolescence has potential benefits for a producer because the product fails and the consumer is under pressure to purchase again, whether from the same manufacturer (a replacement part or a newer model), or from a competitor which might also rely on planned obsolescence. [1] The purpose of planned obsolescence is to hide the real cost per use from the consumer, and charge a higher price than they would otherwise be willing to pay (or would be unwilling to spend all at once).
I don’t like it.
In university, I seriously considered going into marketing but some practices I could not wrap my head around. I know it’s important to sell products to as many consumers as possible, and I know it’s important to have those consumers come back for more, but purposefully creating products that don’t last the amount of time they’re expected to is far below the moral standards for customer retention.
Take cell phones for example. How many people have had their phone (especially smart phones) for the full three-year plan without having to replace it or get it fixed? Also keeping in mind, most cell phones have a one year warranty, that doesn’t leave much of an advantage for the consumer. Continue reading
Romi Says 