Is it true that home appliances aren’t as reliable as they used to be? a Reddit user wondered.
She had just learnt their oven repair meant replacing an entire brick-sized control unit because one tiny part had failed.
Hmm! Some people call it economic conspiracy, but it’s really just planned obsolescence, which is designing things to fail sooner. Yes, evidence shows many companies (including giants) are guilty of this.
And with Black Friday right around the corner, it matters more than ever. Because those massive discounts don’t mean much if you’re back in the market for a replacement a few months later. So, in this article, we’ll show you how to spot the signs, shop smarter, and avoid the built-to-fail cycle.
And if you think this sounds a bit extreme that everything is built to fail, think about this. There’s a light bulb in California that’s been glowing since 1901. 125 years- yup, really built to last.
But what about the fridge we bought five years ago? Or the phone that barely made it past two? Or the dryer that gave up right after the warranty ended?
Why do things that should last, simply don’t anymore?
Because we live in an era of planned obsolescence
In 2017, Apple admitted to deliberately slowing down older iPhones to “protect ageing batteries.”
But it confirmed something we’ve all known for years: products aren’t breaking naturally. They’re built to. Think about it. As of 2023, smartphone users in America keep their devices for an average of about 2 years and 9 months before replacing them.
One frustrated Reddit user put it best:
“my laser printer broke down less than a month after its guarantee had expired. Also my smartphone battery has become less durable after about 2.5 years.”
And as buyers, we’ve learned to live with that cycle. We buy, it fades, we upgrade. Over and over again.
And if that is how things are built, then the best we can do is learn to spot it and avoid it. So, if you want to skip planned obsolescence this holiday season and choose something that lasts, here is what to look for.
Obsolescence comes in all shapes and forms: functional (it stops working), perceived (it still works but feels outdated), and definitely cultural, driven by short-lived trends and our throwaway habits.
One of the simplest ways to avoid planned obsolescence is to see how a brand treats ownership after you’ve paid for it.
If a company makes it easy to repair, replace parts, or get support without jumping through hoops, it usually means they aren’t designing for quick failure.
For examples:
Even policies are catching up. The EU’s Right to Repair directive now requires manufacturers to provide spare parts for up to 10 years for household appliances.
So, before you hit “Buy Now,” check whether a brand sells replacement parts, lists repair partners, publishes repair guides, or encourages maintenance.
Brands that help you fix what breaks usually aren’t building things to fail in the first place.
Most things don’t get replaced because they stop working. They get replaced because they stop feeling right. That’s what good design solves.
Modular products are built to adapt. You can swap parts, upgrade what’s outdated, or repair what’s worn out instead of starting over. It is simple. When something is designed to change with you, you keep it longer.
And timeless design is the other half of it. It does not try too hard to look new, so it never really looks old. Even in tech, you will find audio systems like Sonos that still sync with speakers from ten years ago.
So, when you are shopping this season, ask yourself a few things.
Because when a design lasts, you do not need to replace it. You just keep living with it.
“My re-upholstered 1980s Sherrill sofa is still in pristine condition despite literal decades of use,” a Reddit user expressed, sharing how well-made furniture can last when the design and build quality are solid.
Another simple way to avoid products built to fail is to choose brands that hold themselves to higher standards. B-Corp companies and others with similar ethical certifications usually invest in better materials, transparent sourcing, and products that last longer.
B-Corps are a good starting point, since they’re measured on environmental impact, worker standards, and long-term responsibility.
Patagonia’s Worn Wear program repairs and refurbishes old gear so it keeps going. Finisterre and Nudie Jeans offer lifetime repairs and take-back programs to keep clothing in use for longer.
But if a brand is not a B-Corp, there are other certifications that signal a similar commitment to durability and better production practices. A few useful ones to know are:
These are good signals that the company isn’t designing things to give up early, their building with long-term use in mind.
Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t replace things because they break. We replace them because something newer looks better on our feed and we want our homes to match that feeling.
The Labubu figurines, the Stanley tumblers, the new limited-edition color that somehow feels like a need. They are not bad products. They are just really good at creating the illusion of urgency.
That is what drives trend churn. It is not about durability anymore. It is about dopamine. Brands have mastered the cycle: drop, sell out, restock, repeat. And suddenly, what you already own feels outdated even though it still works perfectly fine.
So, the next time you feel that pull to buy, pause for a second and ask, do I really need this, or do I just want it because everyone else does?
There is a simple way to test yourself. Whenever you add something to your cart, don’t buy it instantly. Leave it there for two days and come back to it. And you’ll know.
Because slowing down is not about skipping joy. It is about choosing things that keep their worth long after the hype fades.
Let’s be honest, repairs aren’t what they used to be.
A few years ago, fixing something made sense. Now, a cracked screen or a broken motherboard can cost almost as much as buying a new one.
No wonder most people just give up and replace.
That is why it is worth paying attention to the warranty before you buy anything. Most manufacturer's warranties only cover manufacturing defects, but they still tell you something important.
They show whether the brand actually stands behind what they have built. If a company is confident in its product, its warranty terms usually reflect that with longer coverage, clearer policies and fewer loopholes.
And once that coverage ends, you still have options. Getting an extended warranty or finding a good repair partner means you can keep using what you already have without stressing over repair bills or replacements.
Because most things don’t need to be thrown out, they just need someone willing to fix them.
And when that support is in place, you can actually keep your product for life without even paying for repairs.
Maybe things are not built to last anymore, but that does not mean we have to buy that way.
We can slow down and look for what is made to be fixed, not replaced. Because every time you choose something repairable, timeless, or simply built with care, you are pushing back against that quiet cycle of waste we have all gotten used to.
It does not have to be about minimalism or being anti-consumer. It is just about buying better.
The kind of better that lets you keep what you love, save what you have earned, and actually make things last again.
