Why products stop working
They don’t make things like they used to – and there’s a reason for that.
A simple Netflix solution
A National Seniors member recently told Connect that he’d received an on-screen message from Netflix saying it would soon no longer support his make and model of television.
The TV is about 10 years old and still in perfect working order.
His first instinct was that he would have to buy a new TV, which would have been expensive.
Happily, he was able to connect to Netflix through a third-party streaming device – in this case an Apple TV box. Other possible solutions include Chromecast, Roku, and Amazon Fire devices, which retail for around $100.
Have you heard of “planned obsolescence”? Put simply, it’s a business strategy where products are designed to have a limited lifespan.
We’ve all encountered it over the years. You may, for example, have found that an old appliance can no longer be repaired.
Or a computer or electronic gadget requires a type of cable that is no longer available. Or, as is increasingly common, the supplier of your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop no longer issues software updates that are compatible with your device.
Variations on this include products that only accept “genuine” parts – like printers that will only accept ink supplied by the original manufacturer (even though there is no reason why a cheaper ink wouldn’t do the job).
The concept of planned obsolescence dates back to the early 20th century.
An early example was the “Phoebus cartel”, a coalition of lightbulb manufacturers who, in the 1920s, agreed to limit the lifespan of bulbs to around 1,000 hours to boost sales.
Before this, lightbulbs were made to last much longer, but the cartel’s decision was based on the premise that shorter life spans would lead to more frequent replacements, thus increasing demand – and profits.
By the mid-20th century, planned obsolescence became more widespread, particularly in the motor vehicle and electronics industries.
Companies began designing products to wear out, go out of style, or become technologically obsolete within a short period, enticing consumers to buy new versions.
Planned obsolescence can create a financial burden for seniors, as consumers are forced to replace items ranging from phones and household appliances to cars more often.
From an ethical perspective, planned obsolescence raises questions about corporate responsibility. Critics argue that it prioritises profit over the well-being of consumers and the environment, with thousands of products sent to landfill when they could still be used or recycled in some way.
Socially, planned obsolescence perpetuates economic inequality. Wealthier people can more easily afford to replace products frequently, while lower-income groups are forced to either invest in repairs (if possible) or settle for lower-quality, more affordable products.
In response to growing concerns about the impact of planned obsolescence, several countries and consumer advocacy groups have pushed for legislative reforms.
The European Union and some jurisdictions in the United States have “right to repair” legislation, which requires manufacturers to make repairable and long-lasting products.
In Australia, a right to repair law governing motor vehicles was introduced in 2021. It requires vehicle service and repair information to be made available for purchase by Australian repairers at a fair market price.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims said at the time, “Under the scheme, independent Australian motor vehicle repairers will have fair access to the information needed to service and repair cars, such as software updates to connect a new spare part with a car, or information and codes for computerised systems from the car manufacturer.”
There is no such right – yet – for other products.
Related reading: Make Use Of, ACCC, CHOICE
