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[deleted] t1_j3q0e4y wrote

Years ago when Digg came over, tbh. Read the sidebar. I think the mission statement may cover it, but so many people here just use the sub to recommend brands they kinda like rather than limiting the sub to items that are truly designed for a lifetime of ownership.

I can't even begin to talk about how a lifetime guarantee doesn't have anything to do with the idea behind wanting a buy it for life item. It's a cheat code around the concept that reeks of wasteful consumerism and true product value.

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Boz6 t1_j3qx4un wrote

> so many people here just use the sub to recommend brands they kinda like rather than limiting the sub to items that are truly designed for a lifetime of ownership.

I may be way off here, but with TODAY'S products, meaning products currently being produced, MOST of them haven't been produced long enough for people to truly KNOW whether or not they're BIFL.

And even for products that have been produced for a long time, and are still being produced, how do we as normal consumers know whether or not the product materials or manufacturing process has been recently changed?

I have a desktop radio that I've had and used daily for a REALLY LONG time. But it's no longer available for new purchase. So, so far, it's BIFL for ME, but nobody else can buy one new, so what good would it be for me to post?

Sorry for the pessimism. I just have a hard time knowing what's REALLY BIFL for products that are currently available for new purchase.

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MalagrugrousPatroon t1_j3rtflx wrote

Same experience I have. I have a Boston Acoustics Recepter clock radio which must be close to 20 years old. It's the best sounding music device of its size I've ever heard, and a remarkably excellent radio, but it can only be bought used. Those 20 years are meaningless if 20 years are already used up the moment you buy it.

The opposite is true of the Aiyima A08 Pro. It has amazingly sound quality, but people might reject it out of hand because it's made in China, even though it uses American chips. Worse for this subreddit is it's only a year or so old. So despite the high quality of the device, there is no telling if it has longevity despite its high apparent quality.

And as for production changes over time, Red Wing has come out with cheaper footwear. There are implicit trade offs for the lower price and more immediate comfort of materials like foam, versus more leather for more longevity at greater cost.

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dizzykitty t1_j3skwbh wrote

This is valid. I think the idea is to recognize what trends make for a lasting product and make your best educated guess. For instance, my Ford ranger has a cast iron block and cast iron head. The valves aren't interfering, so if I break a timing belt my engine won't grenade. It is easily serviceable by myself and of the shelf parts are still available. My truck shares a lot in common with trucks of the 80's meaning there has been over 30 years of continuous support for it.

As far as vehicles go, I'd say it qualifies as bifl for now. I would post my truck, make my case and let y'all decide for yourself if it qualifies to you.

That's sort of my 2cents though.

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Pinkfish_411 t1_j3vg7fp wrote

>MOST of them haven't been produced long enough for people to truly KNOW whether or not they're BIFL

This is often repeated here, but it's actually nonsense that flatly contradicts the sub's obsession with "planned obsolescence." The very concept of planned obsolescence implies that it's possible to know how long an object will last on average given the choice of certain materials and construction techniques.

So which is it? Either we can have reasonable knowledge of how long objects will last without waiting around and watching how long it takes them to fail, or else the whole idea that products are designed to fail, like folks on this sub so often charge, is a spurious complaint.

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Boz6 t1_j3vws9c wrote

"The best laid plans..."

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sriracha20002 t1_j3qhw2h wrote

Disagree somewhat, I think any company that has an unconditional guarantee for replacements likely also has a product that stands up to alot of abuse. Otherwise, profits would wane, and they wouldn't be able to stay in business. Thinking of Darntough, arcteryx, and others that I have used for years now and really enjoy.

Doubting the new brands that are trying to create bifl products is part of the reason this sub has turned into a vintage show and tell.

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DaCouponNinja t1_j3qs4is wrote

“Vintage show and tell” totally captures the feeling of this sub now.

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-Codfish_Joe t1_j3qtq1f wrote

Warrantees are to sell products. Lifetime warrantees give the perception of durability, and sell products.

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[deleted] t1_j3s5gmz wrote

plenty of shit products have a good warranty just to compete. Arc'teryx and Darntough are not good products because they have a warranty. They are good products with a good warranty. The difference is everything.

I'm amazed at how many people upvotes such a simplistic opinion. Advertising works far too well, y'all believe it.

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sriracha20002 t1_j3sab43 wrote

You're right, but it's crazy to think that an unconditional warranty has NO bearing on product quality, everyone would offer unconditional warranties if so.

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[deleted] t1_j3se1gy wrote

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sriracha20002 t1_j3sob20 wrote

I'm sorry but this is an anecdote, the original commenter said that warranties were ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY a marketing ploy, and I am saying only that in some cases the warranty is offered because the company believes the product will last and will back that up. I have had my otterbox replaced because of dog damage, which is the only thing that managed to damage this case in the 4 years I have had it.

I would hate to work where you worked, and I dont think it represents the purchasing behaviour of this sub. The WHOLE POINT of this sub is to sus out the products you can buy today that stand up to wear and scrutiny. A good starting point is products with unconditional warranty, then the court of public opinion can also weigh in.

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[deleted] t1_j3t1ebg wrote

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sriracha20002 t1_j3t1u15 wrote

Dude all I'm saying is that it CAN indicate quality, that's it.

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[deleted] t1_j3t281b wrote

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sriracha20002 t1_j3t2r6u wrote

You're the only one having meaningless emotions in these comments chief lol. Neither of us have done correlational studies on warranties and quality/durability so this is bound to go on forever, I'm down if you're down ;)

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