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This is why we can't have nice things
#1
PTmowerMech
PTmowerMech
This explains a lot of the business models for todays products. Things we were bringing up in the Taryls shop closing thread. It starts out about light bulbs, but it goes into other products.
One thing particularly that really caught my attention, was the companies allowing the government to fine other companies who made a bulb that lasted longer than 1000 hours.
If company build solid, long lasting products, they'd never achieve the profit margin increases, year after year.
One thing particularly that really caught my attention, was the companies allowing the government to fine other companies who made a bulb that lasted longer than 1000 hours.
If company build solid, long lasting products, they'd never achieve the profit margin increases, year after year.
#2
7394
7394
Truth........
#3
PTmowerMech
We always hear about things like this. And speak about it. How they deliberately make cheap stuff, just to sell more. But this guy really puts things into perspective.
If someone made a zrt that didn't start breaking down for 10 years, and the replacement parts would last 10 years, they'd sell a ton of them. Everyone would want one. But after say 5 years, their sales would drop drastically. They'd be overstocked with parts they couldn't get rid of. And in all probability, they'd go bankrupt by the 7th year.
PTmowerMech
Truth........
We always hear about things like this. And speak about it. How they deliberately make cheap stuff, just to sell more. But this guy really puts things into perspective.
If someone made a zrt that didn't start breaking down for 10 years, and the replacement parts would last 10 years, they'd sell a ton of them. Everyone would want one. But after say 5 years, their sales would drop drastically. They'd be overstocked with parts they couldn't get rid of. And in all probability, they'd go bankrupt by the 7th year.
#4
PTmowerMech
PTmowerMech
#5
B
bertsmobile1
Wall St actually runs everything
As for obsolesence yes they are correct
This is being typed on a 2012 I Mac that I will either have to find a patch for or dump because it can no longer make an SSL connection with a lot of web sites .
My I Phone 4 will end it's life after having 1 battery replacement ( not easy but quite cheap ) because the G 3 network is closing down .
Technically better , no way in fact analogue mobile phones were far technically superior than any digital one if all you wanted was a phone .
Do we need all of those phone apps , no way I have but one that did not come with the phone and that is simply to locate LPG service stations as they are closing down.
My daily ride is a 1943 motorcycle but I do go shopping on the 1972 one some times .
Climate change is happening because we buy way too much stuff and replace it way too soon, not because our mowers run on petrol .
I now have to buy the one last brand of boot with a genuine stitched on sole but new soles are $ 50 compared to the boot which costs $ 40 .
Everything else has a moulded sole that actually hold the boot together so when the sole wears thin the boot is trash .
And the government is facilitating this by allowing businesss to merge down to monopolies or duolopies.
Even a few years back when we had Murray & Noma we had a lot better mowers now there is not a single US domestic mower that I can recommend to my customers .
And the bottom end commercials are not much better
B
bertsmobile1
As I regularly state the problem with the USA is Wall St not the White HouseThis explains a lot of the business models for todays products. Things we were bringing up in the Taryls shop closing thread. It starts out about light bulbs, but it goes into other products.
One thing particularly that really caught my attention, was the companies allowing the government to fine other companies who made a bulb that lasted longer than 1000 hours.
If company build solid, long lasting products, they'd never achieve the profit margin increases, year after year.
Wall St actually runs everything
As for obsolesence yes they are correct
This is being typed on a 2012 I Mac that I will either have to find a patch for or dump because it can no longer make an SSL connection with a lot of web sites .
My I Phone 4 will end it's life after having 1 battery replacement ( not easy but quite cheap ) because the G 3 network is closing down .
Technically better , no way in fact analogue mobile phones were far technically superior than any digital one if all you wanted was a phone .
Do we need all of those phone apps , no way I have but one that did not come with the phone and that is simply to locate LPG service stations as they are closing down.
My daily ride is a 1943 motorcycle but I do go shopping on the 1972 one some times .
Climate change is happening because we buy way too much stuff and replace it way too soon, not because our mowers run on petrol .
I now have to buy the one last brand of boot with a genuine stitched on sole but new soles are $ 50 compared to the boot which costs $ 40 .
Everything else has a moulded sole that actually hold the boot together so when the sole wears thin the boot is trash .
And the government is facilitating this by allowing businesss to merge down to monopolies or duolopies.
Even a few years back when we had Murray & Noma we had a lot better mowers now there is not a single US domestic mower that I can recommend to my customers .
And the bottom end commercials are not much better
#6
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
Up until Australia made the last "free trade deal " with the USA we had a regulated car market which stipulated a 10 supply for all parts .
So because of this the number of models of imported cars was quite restricted
Part of the US deal was scrapping this and when this happened the 10 year parts supply went out with it and now cars that are 3 years old are getting scrapped because there are no service parts available for them
So now we can buy almost any car made anywhere on the planet but most will not be able to be used after 5 years because there are no parts or parts take 6 months to get
I have over 30 repairs in the shop at the moment, most from quality ? brands all waiting for parts from a simple plastic bush ( about to get one 3D printed ) to ignition coils .
So because of this the number of models of imported cars was quite restricted
Part of the US deal was scrapping this and when this happened the 10 year parts supply went out with it and now cars that are 3 years old are getting scrapped because there are no service parts available for them
So now we can buy almost any car made anywhere on the planet but most will not be able to be used after 5 years because there are no parts or parts take 6 months to get
I have over 30 repairs in the shop at the moment, most from quality ? brands all waiting for parts from a simple plastic bush ( about to get one 3D printed ) to ignition coils .
#7
PTmowerMech
I get a kick out of people comparing the economy and oil production during different presidential terms. As if any president has any say over the stock market, 95% of the economy or how much or how little oil is produced during their term.
As far as your boots go, maybe there's a better cobbler down there that could replace the soles. Up here, you can still get new soles & heels. The cobbler I used to use, would redo my boots and they'd last longer than the original soles and heels.
PTmowerMech
As I regularly state the problem with the USA is Wall St not the White House
Wall St actually runs everything
I get a kick out of people comparing the economy and oil production during different presidential terms. As if any president has any say over the stock market, 95% of the economy or how much or how little oil is produced during their term.
As far as your boots go, maybe there's a better cobbler down there that could replace the soles. Up here, you can still get new soles & heels. The cobbler I used to use, would redo my boots and they'd last longer than the original soles and heels.
#8
PTmowerMech
Cars are definitely becoming like the mower industry. Not so cheap throw-aways.
PTmowerMech
Up until Australia made the last "free trade deal " with the USA we had a regulated car market which stipulated a 10 supply for all parts .
So because of this the number of models of imported cars was quite restricted
Part of the US deal was scrapping this and when this happened the 10 year parts supply went out with it and now cars that are 3 years old are getting scrapped because there are no service parts available for them
So now we can buy almost any car made anywhere on the planet but most will not be able to be used after 5 years because there are no parts or parts take 6 months to get
I have over 30 repairs in the shop at the moment, most from quality ? brands all waiting for parts from a simple plastic bush ( about to get one 3D printed ) to ignition coils .
Cars are definitely becoming like the mower industry. Not so cheap throw-aways.
#9
B
bertsmobile1
Trouble is glues now days do not stick so my cobbler puts steel tips on the toes , a inch or so of stitching on the sides and often steel cups on the edge of the heels
My motorcycling boots are no 50 years old .
I bought a pair off brand new Caterpillar ( made in the USA ) boots at a garage sale a while back which had acid / oil/ petrol proof soles and that was true they were but some diesel dissolved the glue holding the sole on . Glad I did not pay the $ 250 ( Aus ) that they retail for .
B
bertsmobile1
Only one company that wholesales replacement work boot solesI get a kick out of people comparing the economy and oil production during different presidential terms. As if any president has any say over the stock market, 95% of the economy or how much or how little oil is produced during their term.
As far as your boots go, maybe there's a better cobbler down there that could replace the soles. Up here, you can still get new soles & heels. The cobbler I used to use, would redo my boots and they'd last longer than the original soles and heels.
Trouble is glues now days do not stick so my cobbler puts steel tips on the toes , a inch or so of stitching on the sides and often steel cups on the edge of the heels
My motorcycling boots are no 50 years old .
I bought a pair off brand new Caterpillar ( made in the USA ) boots at a garage sale a while back which had acid / oil/ petrol proof soles and that was true they were but some diesel dissolved the glue holding the sole on . Glad I did not pay the $ 250 ( Aus ) that they retail for .
#10
Tiger Small Engine
The President mainly affects the economy positively and negatively by individual regulations he enacts. Tightening or loosening regulations is what affects many situations in the economy.
Tiger Small Engine
It is called planned obsolescence. The manufacturer wants the consumer to keep buying more products to keep them in business.We always hear about things like this. And speak about it. How they deliberately make cheap stuff, just to sell more. But this guy really puts things into perspective.
If someone made a zrt that didn't start breaking down for 10 years, and the replacement parts would last 10 years, they'd sell a ton of them. Everyone would want one. But after say 5 years, their sales would drop drastically. They'd be overstocked with parts they couldn't get rid of. And in all probability, they'd go bankrupt by the 7th year.
The President mainly affects the economy positively and negatively by individual regulations he enacts. Tightening or loosening regulations is what affects many situations in the economy.
#11
PTmowerMech
Not really. The only thing that really affects the economy is the value of the currency. When they add trillions in new money, it devalues the existing currency. Then it costs more to buy everything. Then people slow down their buying. This affects growers and manufacturers, they have to cut back to. It's systemic.
Then somehow or another, as we're doing now, the citizens have finally start making their way through the mess these politicians created, (adjusting their incomes, changing their spending habits) until things start balancing out for them.
Then "we the people" start recovering the economy ourselves.
Those petty things the government does is usually just for a certain company. Usually the ones with the most powerful lobbyist.
But it's always we the people who suffer through, then make things better. Not the government. And certainly not any president.
PTmowerMech
The President mainly affects the economy positively and negatively by individual regulations he enacts. Tightening or loosening regulations is what affects many situations in the economy.
Not really. The only thing that really affects the economy is the value of the currency. When they add trillions in new money, it devalues the existing currency. Then it costs more to buy everything. Then people slow down their buying. This affects growers and manufacturers, they have to cut back to. It's systemic.
Then somehow or another, as we're doing now, the citizens have finally start making their way through the mess these politicians created, (adjusting their incomes, changing their spending habits) until things start balancing out for them.
Then "we the people" start recovering the economy ourselves.
Those petty things the government does is usually just for a certain company. Usually the ones with the most powerful lobbyist.
But it's always we the people who suffer through, then make things better. Not the government. And certainly not any president.
#12
PTmowerMech
50 years old? Good god man, what are they made of? The skin of Zeus?
PTmowerMech
Only one company that wholesales replacement work boot soles
Trouble is glues now days do not stick so my cobbler puts steel tips on the toes , a inch or so of stitching on the sides and often steel cups on the edge of the heels
My motorcycling boots are no 50 years old .
I bought a pair off brand new Caterpillar ( made in the USA ) boots at a garage sale a while back which had acid / oil/ petrol proof soles and that was true they were but some diesel dissolved the glue holding the sole on . Glad I did not pay the $ 250 ( Aus ) that they retail for .
50 years old? Good god man, what are they made of? The skin of Zeus?
#13
B
bertsmobile1
Been resoled so many times it is not funny
Stitched on soles and the bootmaker has to reset his machine so it uses the same holes because there are now way too many holes in the leather
A bit (well a lot ) of leather dressing every season makes all the difference.
People have gotten used to throw away shoes now days I have to go to a saddle shop to get leather dressing .
B
bertsmobile1
Aussie leather50 years old? Good god man, what are they made of? The skin of Zeus?
Been resoled so many times it is not funny
Stitched on soles and the bootmaker has to reset his machine so it uses the same holes because there are now way too many holes in the leather
A bit (well a lot ) of leather dressing every season makes all the difference.
People have gotten used to throw away shoes now days I have to go to a saddle shop to get leather dressing .
#14
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
You have missed one set of criminals that have a bigger effect on what you pay than the government, well 2 sets actually
1) currency speculators who push the value of your $ up & down all the time
2) futures speculators who force wholesale prices up & down
One of the reasons why petrol got so cheap during the Trump government was covid slowed down the sales of fuel to the point that there was nowhere to put it .
But if you are a futures trader & you buy futures, you have to pay for the goods regardless of weather you actually collect them or not so petrol was dumped well below cost price to reduce the losses till the futures were fulfilled .
People think trump caused the price to drop but he ( like most politicians ) had absolutely nothing to do with it .
1) currency speculators who push the value of your $ up & down all the time
2) futures speculators who force wholesale prices up & down
One of the reasons why petrol got so cheap during the Trump government was covid slowed down the sales of fuel to the point that there was nowhere to put it .
But if you are a futures trader & you buy futures, you have to pay for the goods regardless of weather you actually collect them or not so petrol was dumped well below cost price to reduce the losses till the futures were fulfilled .
People think trump caused the price to drop but he ( like most politicians ) had absolutely nothing to do with it .
#15
PTmowerMech
I think it was more the Russian/Saudi oil price war that was going on.
Spot on with the presidential thing. No president tells the oil companies when to go into a boom or bust cycle.
PTmowerMech
One of the reasons why petrol got so cheap during the Trump government was covid slowed down the sales of fuel to the point that there was nowhere to put it .
But if you are a futures trader & you buy futures, you have to pay for the goods regardless of weather you actually collect them or not so petrol was dumped well below cost price to reduce the losses till the futures were fulfilled .
People think trump caused the price to drop but he ( like most politicians ) had absolutely nothing to do with it .
I think it was more the Russian/Saudi oil price war that was going on.
Spot on with the presidential thing. No president tells the oil companies when to go into a boom or bust cycle.
#16
PTmowerMech
PTmowerMech
One product that always stands out as long lasting, is Stihl. They've always made a great saw and trimmer. When you consider how much it costs to keep replacing those throw aways, one need only buy one Stihl and take care of it.
#17
G
GearHead36
G
GearHead36
Stihl is good, but I'm partial to Echo. Both are about the same as for long lasting, but Echo's tend to be easier to start, and parts are cheaper. Given the same size & weight of a tool, the Stihl will be more powerful. That's the tradeoff. I'm old. Used to ride motorcycles, and both shoulders have been through the ringer. I'd rather have the easier-to-start brand.One product that always stands out as long lasting, is Stihl. They've always made a great saw and trimmer. When you consider how much it costs to keep replacing those throw aways, one need only buy one Stihl and take care of it.
#18
PTmowerMech
I'm interested in seeing how good the new Stihl ZTR's are. If the quality in them are anything like their saws, it should be a good product. I know they have a lot of bells and whistles.
PTmowerMech
Stihl is good, but I'm partial to Echo. Both are about the same as for long lasting, but Echo's tend to be easier to start, and parts are cheaper. Given the same size & weight of a tool, the Stihl will be more powerful. That's the tradeoff. I'm old. Used to ride motorcycles, and both shoulders have been through the ringer. I'd rather have the easier-to-start brand.
I'm interested in seeing how good the new Stihl ZTR's are. If the quality in them are anything like their saws, it should be a good product. I know they have a lot of bells and whistles.
#19
PTmowerMech
PTmowerMech
Here's another instance of parts being unavailable. The vehicle is only about 6 years old.
#20
G
GearHead36
G
GearHead36
And a lot of zero's in the price. At those prices, they had better be good. I'm glad I'm not in the market for a new ZTR. I buy used almost exclusively, so I'm sometimes in the same boat at those with no-longer-supported equipment. A couple of years ago, a control cable broke on a 20 yr old Husqvarna ZTR I had. New cable was NLA. I found someone making them, and bought a pair... at $300. And this was before the latest round of inflation.I'm interested in seeing how good the new Stihl ZTR's are. If the quality in them are anything like their saws, it should be a good product. I know they have a lot of bells and whistles.
#21
PTmowerMech
PTmowerMech
Here's another instance of parts being unavailable. The vehicle is only about 6 years old.
#22
PTmowerMech
Goodness. Apparently he knew they were NLA. (for that price)
PTmowerMech
And a lot of zero's in the price. At those prices, they had better be good. I'm glad I'm not in the market for a new ZTR. I buy used almost exclusively, so I'm sometimes in the same boat at those with no-longer-supported equipment. A couple of years ago, a control cable broke on a 20 yr old Husqvarna ZTR I had. New cable was NLA. I found someone making them, and bought a pair... at $300. And this was before the latest round of inflation.
Goodness. Apparently he knew they were NLA. (for that price)
#23
B
bertsmobile1
If I have the ends and it just needs a new inner then $ 20 ( aus)
Complete cable $ 30
Cable with ends $ 40
And those prices are way cheaper than any of my wholesale parts suppliers
B
bertsmobile1
I go to the local control cable factory near a light aircraft airfield .Goodness. Apparently he knew they were NLA. (for that price)
If I have the ends and it just needs a new inner then $ 20 ( aus)
Complete cable $ 30
Cable with ends $ 40
And those prices are way cheaper than any of my wholesale parts suppliers
#24
G
GearHead36
G
GearHead36
Oh, absolutely. There would be no reason for an independent shop to make these cables if they were still available from the manufacturer. It was, spend $300 or get rid of my ZTR. Might have to give it away. Then quickly find a replacement. $300 was painful but not as painful as buying a replacement ZTR.Goodness. Apparently he knew they were NLA. (for that price)
#25
G
GearHead36
G
GearHead36
I don't think those prices would be found in the US, especially from a cable shop that serves the aircraft industry.I go to the local control cable factory near a light aircraft airfield .
If I have the ends and it just needs a new inner then $ 20 ( aus)
Complete cable $ 30
Cable with ends $ 40
And those prices are way cheaper than any of my wholesale parts suppliers
#26
PTmowerMech
I don't know of any small engine shop that would charge you $300 to make 2 cables for any mower. You got taken.
PTmowerMech
I don't think those prices would be found in the US, especially from a cable shop that serves the aircraft industry.
I don't know of any small engine shop that would charge you $300 to make 2 cables for any mower. You got taken.
#27
skippymud
That video was awesome. And who doesn't love Taryl?!?! Tell me one
But in referencing the video, I believe this has *always* been a part of the game, and of which we are and were all a part, even in some small way each of us. Awesome post PT guy
skippymud
Hi PTmowerMechThis explains a lot of the business models for todays products. Things we were bringing up in the Taryls shop closing thread. It starts out about light bulbs, but it goes into other products.
One thing particularly that really caught my attention, was the companies allowing the government to fine other companies who made a bulb that lasted longer than 1000 hours.
If company build solid, long lasting products, they'd never achieve the profit margin increases, year after year.
That video was awesome. And who doesn't love Taryl?!?! Tell me one
But in referencing the video, I believe this has *always* been a part of the game, and of which we are and were all a part, even in some small way each of us. Awesome post PT guy
#28
7394
7394
#29
PTmowerMech
I like Taryls video's. He's got a common sense approach to a lot of things. To most things, actually. In this game, it requires a lot of that.
PTmowerMech
Hi PTmowerMech
That video was awesome. And who doesn't love Taryl?!?! Tell me one
But in referencing the video, I believe this has *always* been a part of the game, and of which we are and were all a part, even in some small way each of us. Awesome post PT guy
I like Taryls video's. He's got a common sense approach to a lot of things. To most things, actually. In this game, it requires a lot of that.
#30
7394
7394
My Dad used to say if you have common sense, you can be smarter than some college kids..
#31
PTmowerMech
Your dad nailed it.....
PTmowerMech
My Dad used to say if you have common sense, you can be smarter than some college kids..
Your dad nailed it.....
#32
7394
7394
Thanks, yep he was a smart guy with good common sense. Built houses from excavating the foundations, to last nail on the roof..
Taught me to never just learn one trade..
Taught me to never just learn one trade..