RE: Has product quality at large begun to go downhill?

["Prevette, Steven S" <Steven_S_Prevette@rl.gov>]

Art brought up the subject of consumer electronics, purchasing warranties,
and quality.

Personally, I have had very good service out of electronics I have purchased
over the past few years.  No, I do not buy the warranty plans.  No, except
for a cheap (meaning low quality) VCR I bought in 1986, I have not regretted
not buying a warranty.

We might ask ourselves that in this day of rapid expansion in electronics
technology, and continued downward prices, do we really need to buy a 10
year or even a 5 year warranty?  How many people would have bought 10 year
warranties on their Beta video players?  Even now, VCR's likely will be
equally obsolete in 5 years.

In my hobby, model railroading, I continue to be amazed by the pace of
technology.  Five years ago I equipped my models with digital decoders at
the price of $35 each.  Now, they are less than $20 for the same
capabililities.  The decoders have lasted, and have outlasted some of the
models they were installed in.  There is one company (called Lenz) that will
replace damaged decoders for one year - for free - even if the user messed
up and shorted them out during installation!   Just send it back, you get a
new one, no questions asked.  There are also limited warranties on out
through 10 years.

As a devil's advocate question - why should anyone (the supplier or the
consumer) pay warranty costs on something that will be obsolete in three
years anyway?  What is the lowest total cost solution (though we do need to
keep in mind as we throw away electronics that there are some hazardous
materials in them going to the landfill)?  Perhaps it is good that the
consumer no longer has to pay warranty costs (I can be sure it was hidden in
the cost of the product when longer term warranties were available).

Steve Prevette
Occupational Safety and Health
Fluor Hanford, A Fluor Government Group Project
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
steven_s_prevette@rl.gov
509-373-9371