A product that’s going to stand the test of time is hard to find nowadays. Planned obsolescence is a method of stimulating consumer demand by designing a product that gets outdated or wear out after limited use. Corporations employing unfair business practices of planed failure have been around for a long time. Market saturation is cited as one of the reasons for manufacturers following planned Obsolescence technique. Planned obsolescence is built into inexpensive light to bulbs luxurious cars buildings and electronics. The Phoebus Cartel scandal is the best example of off planned obsolescence, Phillips, GE and Osram engaged in a
conspiracy from 1924 to 1939 to reduce lifespan of their light bulbs and fix prices.Avionics and military systems often run into part obsolescence problems. In many electronic equipment electronic component have shorter life than the product itself. Obsolescence management tries to lessen the effects of obsolescence. Technical obsolescence is referred to a product when it is no longer technically superior to other similar products. When product no longer functions the way it did when it was first purchased is referred as Functional obsolescence. Some time a product is rendered obsolete by perception but continue to be functional this is referred as Perceived obsolescence.
Some of the classic examples of planned obsolescence at work include Ink Cartridges, Video Games, water filters, Textbooks, Fast Fashion, Software, Consumer Electronics, and Light Bulbs. Replacing inkjet cartridges can cost more than the printer itself. Third-party ink Cartridges cannot be used. Sensors in the printer stops printing once colors falls to a certain level, even if there is enough ink to print. New Video Games players are not compatible. It couldn’t play the old cartridges. Numerous updates are done unnecessary in textbook publishing. In fashion industry surplus dress
materials gets discarded at the end of the season as they are conceived aesthetically redundant. Many Software users are forced to upgrade to new editions after suppliers stop providing support to older versions. New software versions often require new updated hardware, forcing people to purchase faster computers. Automakers introduce new model more often to make their older model absolute by making some cosmetic changes to their design and discontinue spare parts for their older models.Global warming is affecting many parts of the world. Protecting the environment should be given paramount importance. Planned obsolescence uses up valuable resources, chokes, landfills and cost consumers and the environment dearly. To solve this catastrophe Governments around the world have done nothing. Manufacturers regard planned obsolescence as good marketing tool. Warranties and Guarantees have been getting shorter and shorter. To fight back against planned obsolescence buy less technological high quality
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