Re: what ever happened to quality?
You guys are just too funny. Conspiracy theories abound.<br /><br />First, I've been inside many of the World's top companies, including one mentioned here (hint, Benton Harbor) and I've yet to find the person in charge of planned failure. In fact, many of these companies are obssessed with quality and are always busy implementing six sigma or ISO 9000 or some other quality program.<br /><br />Second, companies make stuff that will sell. They can sell you a dryer that will last longer but people won't pay for them (like the Bosch mentioned) so they are busy trying to make the best product they can to hit a certain price point. <br /><br />Third, if these companies are simply greedy, you should take a look at their financials! Companies like Wrilpool are lucky to make a profit.<br /><br />Fourth, in order to keep costs low (as consumers demand) they have had to increase the amount of foriegn made compenents and assembly.<br /><br />Fifth, it is a well dcomented fact that the quality of US built autos has increased significantly from the 70s Remember how in the 80s the Japaneese were running away with market share becuase the US makers were making junk? People were willing to pay for quality when it comes to auots (hence the steady price increases)<br /><br />Lastly, take a look at the price of a dryer 30 years agian as a % of household income and take a look at that same number today. My gut tells me it has been reduced significantly.<br /><br />If you want to know who is running these companies, working at these companies, making this stuff and making these decisions look in the mirror. It is rather average Americans who have often worked their way up the ranks at a compnay over a 30-year career.
