My mom’s 1982 GE toaster. Same age as me. Used every day.Submitted by TummyPuppy t3_y0dclb in BuyItForLife
gooberstwo t1_irr8txt wrote
Nothing has personality like this anymore. I guess it costs too much.
sarhoshamiral t1_irrbd4h wrote
Have you looked for a toaster in Amazon at all? There are hundreds of different styles, colors and even with images on the side.
gooberstwo t1_irrcomi wrote
I try not to shop there, but you make a good point. I bet going direct to manufacturers websites would be a good place for me to check. Thanks!
Huphupjitterbug t1_irrxv23 wrote
I doubt a majority of those would hold up to 40 years of use though :/
wimpymist t1_irsaop0 wrote
Toaster tech hasn't changed much they would probably hold up just fine
EightPieceBox t1_irswrxg wrote
Only if you need an iPhone app to use it.
sarhoshamiral t1_irs0usw wrote
and so the majority of ones that were sold in 1982 unless you maintained them properly, cleaned them up so on. We are seeing a sample of 1 here don't forget that. I had a toaster from 2001 that went on for ~10 years just fine (and was still working when I replaced it)
Ok_Skill_1195 t1_irs3j53 wrote
While you're absolutely right there's some survivorship bias at play, let's not pretend planned obsolescence hasn't become a huge issue.
That's not even to talk about the number of products on Amazon from drop shippers that are essentially hot glued together to work for the bare minimum time to complete the sale
Careful-Community658 t1_irscwjd wrote
Toasters, you’re discussing toasters!
sarhoshamiral t1_irshy20 wrote
I actually haven't seen a study suggesting it did. My perception is that we have cheaper options now that used to be not available and as you said for those you get what you pay for. On top of that complexity of items increased drastically as people want more features which adds more points for failure.
But overall, at least based on my experience, a mid-tier priced appliance still goes a long way if you maintain it properly. The latter being a huge point. For example, for anything that use water the lifetime will heavily depend on your water supply. If you have hard water, the appliance's lifetime will be much shorter compared to someone who uses that appliance with soft water. That has always been the case though.
Helhiem t1_irt6xdu wrote
It’s really not a huge issue. Even the testing they do products nowadays is way more stringent. We also demand things to be complicated so they do more things giving more chance for things to break.
Darehead t1_irr926m wrote
Why have personality when you can appeal to a mass market? /s
luck_panda t1_irry1th wrote
It doesn't have personality. It just has nostalgic design.
gooberstwo t1_irrypsz wrote
I’d disagree, but understand what you mean.
All appliances now are monocolor or chrome.
Ok_Skill_1195 t1_irs498t wrote
Because that's what's currently in style. 40 years ago, lots of cutesy vaguely food related patterns and designs was popular, so you were inundated with things like this.
You only think it looks cool because it's vintage and most of its peers are in a dump, so it comparitively looks unique.
In 40 years, modern monochrome/chrome toasters will probably look unique compared to [insert the new standard toaster design].
What you really mean is that you like the design aesthetic of the past more than the current, but theres no difference in degree of personality. They're all mass produced and generic as hell (relative to the time period they were made)
gooberstwo t1_irs56xl wrote
Thanks for telling me why I think something. Here I thought it was my design degree, or perhaps personal aesthetic taste.
luck_panda t1_irs7w07 wrote
That's kind of just what is in and also what is easiest to manufacture. Once again the machine of dollars comes roaring in to make everything less interesting.
SlickBlackCadillac t1_irrc14k wrote
Id say it potentially costs too much in missed sales in the minds of manufacturers because they are afraid it will be off-putting. Though, there is always an opportunity to buck the system. This is why PT cruisers sold like hot cakes in an era where every car looked the same. Thank goodness those ugly ass cars were not buyitforlife! My opinion.
discodiscgod t1_irs4d6r wrote
gooberstwo t1_irs5ayb wrote
That is a pretty penny for a toaster, but I’d agree it certainly has personality.
discodiscgod t1_irs5reh wrote
There actually are some reasonably priced ones too i just thought that one was hilarious / ridiculous.
gooberstwo t1_irs6937 wrote
Haha, thanks!
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