From a consumer standpoint that kind of mentality sucks.
It's all about money and greed and not quality.
Unfortunately though, we all know it's true.
From high-end appliances, TVs, and cars - they're all made so that they will fall apart so that you'll be a repeat customer or keep their service department rolling in the dough.
Mamu--I have do agree that "built in obsolecence" is an outrage. Just look at the light bulb--you can go to Thomas Edison's Museum in Fort Myers, Fl and still see the orginal light bulbs he built and never burn out--they keep them lite 24/7------built in product demise and poor reliablity is why Japan took over the auto industy with Toyota and Honda---so businesses should think twice before employing it IMO.
Sun