1st Gen Lunchtable Thread - General Discussion

This one is obvious.

 

People don’t value durability anymore, either that or profits fell over time, those are my guesses.

 

Money.

It's all about money.

Anyone making anything have all focused on larger and larger profit margins.

Been this way for many years and as technology advances, those have found out ways to cut production costs and put more in their own pockets.

 

So that's what I'm doing wrong

 

People do value durability, however it comes at a cost.

Here's a great example...one at the smallest scale of production - me.

I'll make a sign for someone, and generally stick to 16 gauge steel for my minimum thickness offered. Some people have opted for 12 gauge in the past and I'm ok with that.

I'll see the same sign on Etsy, offered as 'high quality steel' between 18 to 20 gauge steel. That shit is paper thin.

I'll see that sign in an even smaller diameter, and they're selling for $50+ each!

Two people, offering the same product, but one with much larger profit margins than the other.

The person on Etsy just wants to make the most money possible, and there is nothing wrong with that.

I'm retired, and do not rely on what I cut or fabricate as my primary source of income. I value durability and customization and although my profit margins are much smaller, people are happy to get stuff from me.

Unfortunately, for a lot of people whatever it is they're making becomes their main source of income. Some are born into money and just look for the largest return on investment and end up offering 'cheaply made stuff' and that's where most of us get the shit end of the stick.

It is the way it is and unless you plan on making everything from scratch, you'll just have to not be poor and pay up the ass for quality shit.

 

Oooh that's a good one

 

It just makes me wonder why companies used to make stuff that would last you a lifetime, like the W123 Mercedes for example, when they could have just been selling use overpriced crap all along like they do now.

 

Ideology changes.

I won't get into the politics of it but it's spelled out there, easily.

For the longest time the whole goal has always been to 'upgrade'.

No company wants to make something that'll last because they become their own worst enemy by not keeping you as a customer.

Apple, specifically with their iPhone, have mastered this process.

Everything is disposable, and we must upgrade every time something new comes out.

If you didn't know this then you need to get out from under your rock

 

Integrity is rarer in the world today, especially business.

 

Lol there's one of those random lurkers

 

The thing that really gets me these days is everything is becoming a subscription. Which makes a ton of sense, but it really sucks for a lot of use cases.

That said, my iPhone will get 7 years of security updates, at least.

 

What really gets me are the people who only wear clothes once then throw them out.

 

I just throw them out right after buying them

 

yeah, why even wear them, that's just giving them too much time to go out of style

 

Beats owning a washer and dryer. Those things are rediculous to try to fix these days.

 

Gorgeous Accord wagon. Me want.

 

Most people in the world just hand dry their clothes. It makes the ‘em last longer too.

 

"Forums said that their engine mounts go bad pretty soon after"

"It's an auto, has it always been serviced every 60k miles?"

"Do the windows work?"

"Does the trunk or gas door open? Those wire cables stretch themselves and break over time"

"Was it ever stolen? Would you guys install the best security system to help keep it from getting stolen since Honda's are so easy to steal? And maybe a back up security system to that security system?"

"What were the Blackstone lab results for its oil?"

"I can't have any leaks at all, I won't be able to fix it myself"

"I hear the sunroof on those leak, have the tracks been cleaned periodically?"

[insert 1,000 more questions here]