|
Planned Obsolescence: A Plan or a Plot?
by Tom Egelhoff
When I was a boy, growing up in the mid-west, I remember hearing my father remarking about the many products he bought, "The salesman told me we'll never have to buy another one, it'll last a lifetime."
Looking back on those days, Coke bottles were heavier, car bumpers were so strong we could walk on them and never make a dent.
It seemed everything was "built to last."
Now, in 2016, it seems like everything is built to fail.
A crash in a new 2016 automobile at 5 miles per hour is equivalent to a house payment or more. Depending on when you bought your house.
We have disposable razors, plastic coke bottles, disposable diapers (well, that's OK), disposable cameras and a host of other items too lengthy to list here.
When did it suddenly become OK with the public to buy more and more of the same product and failure or breakage is an accepted norm?
For some products it's easy to see that planned obsolescence is inevitable. I can understand why we might want to buy a product because of certain improvements or additions.
For example, many people junked their good old dependable black and white televisions for the new and improved color versions.
Computers, laptops and cell phones are obsolete as soon as they're loaded into the car.
Let's Look At Four Forms Of Obsolescence
Technological Obsolescence
Technological obsolescence is another word for the computer industry.
Computer companies are forced to introduce new products as rapidly as possible to stay ahead of the competition.
Top : Home
Postponed Obsolescence
Do you think Bill Gates and the folks over at Microsoft know what Windows 2020 looks like?
Most people would probably say yes.
Do the auto makers in Detroit know what features will be on the 2020 cars?
Again most people would say yes.
Why are they looking so far ahead? They know you have developed an appetite for more power, and more speed, and more convenience.
They dole it out in piecemeal, always dangling the carrot just out of reach.
Top : Home
Physical Obsolescence
Physical obsolescence occurs when the very design of a product determines its lifespan.
Car batteries, nylon stockings and light bulbs are perfect examples.
Top : Home
Style Obsolescence
This is most common in the fashion industry. Making a perfectly good piece of clothing seem out of date and forcing the customer to replace it with current goods.
Fashion has often been criticized because of the waste of buying products that are not really needed. The fashion industry would counter with, "People want change."
Could we please bring back hip huggers?
Top : Home
Raise The Price?
In some cases, products are changed and/or discontinued, in order to justify a higher (more profitable) price.
Top : Home
Consumer Trust
Customers understand that the only constant in the world is change.
We're a world that demands better and better ways of doing things.
If there was no Henry Ford, there would have been someone else. Sooner or later we would have had the automobile. Sooner or later we would fly.
To have obsolescence due to innovation is one thing. To deliberately design a product to fail is a serious abuse of consumer trust.
Planned obsolescence weakens the bond between customer and business and makes the customer more distrusting of business.
If you create a product, make the best product possible. Remember the lesson Japan gave to Detroit several years ago? What was the result?
Better American cars out of Detroit -- And better products for all of us from those who saw that lesson taught.
Return to the "How to Market Your Business" Directory
All 400 Articles and Tips are on the SITE MAP - CLICK HERE
Top : Home
Listen in on Tom's weekly radio show "Open For Business" on AM 1450 KMMS Radio, Bozeman.
Have a business question for Tom? Click here to get Tom's advice for free.
Stay up to date on business issues. Join Tom's Blog.
This article may be reproduced for your non-profit group or organization provided it is not altered in any way and the following is attached:
Used With Permission
© Eagle Marketing PO Box 271, Bozeman, MT 59771-0271
http://www.smalltownmarketing.com - (406) 585-0219
Email: tommail@smalltownmarketing.com.
Based in Bozeman, MT, Tom Egelhoff is the author of How To Market, Advertise & Promote Your Business Or Service In A Small Town, and The Small Town Advertising Handbook: How To Say More And Spend Less. He is also a seminar and workshop presenter and trainer. He may be reached at 406-585-0219 or PO Box 271, Bozeman, MT 59771-0271
Would you like Tom Egelhoff to speak at your business function or convention?
Click here for information, topics and pricing.
Top : Home
|
