General Discussion

gulliver

(14,004 posts)

14. You can get quality, but the cost is sky high

Wed Jan 21, 2026, 02:58 PM

Jan 21

What used to be the default (high quality, long-lasting) is now an extra. It's not the lizard-people doing it. It's software.

Consumers had an advantage for a while. Not any more. It's why I think we need regulation and leaders who truly understand IT. If you're in phone jail more than 3 minutes, say, they have to pay you $5 per minute. Software could be written to enforce that, putting software back on our side.

Cradle-to-grave recycling requirements can also help. Buy a toaster from Amazon; return it to Amazon when it breaks or you're tired of it. Amazon should have to take it back for free. They can then send it to its producer, who should also have to take it back. If they're out of business, Amazon is stuck with it.

I recently tried to buy a robovac. Roborock is one producer. They flood the market with zillions of options and configurations. Their Amazon pages are chock-a-block with ever changing updates and customer reviews that simply can't keep up or are attached to product versions that stopped being available months ago.

I bought a $250 robovac, and it was utter garbage. To get a robovac that works as well as my last one, I'm looking at $1K+, if it's even possible.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

rictofen

37 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

What in the heck is going on with toasters? And YES, this is an issue. Specifically the issue is planned obsolescence so [View all] PatrickforB Jan 21 OP

I hear ya Nikossitti Jan 21 #1

I have noticed an explosion of absolutely ridiculous "toasters" with 'features' I can imagine using hlthe2b Jan 21 #2

I've had my snowybirdie Jan 21 #3

Delonghi Toaster Oven Botany Jan 21 #4

I've not shopped for a toaster oven (we have an Oster), House of Roberts Jan 21 #7

My old DeLonghi Toaster Oven would probably still be going if my ex hadn't pitched it because it was "old." Botany Jan 21 #10

I concur on the DeLonghi oil-filled heaters. NT mahatmakanejeeves Jan 21 #36

If your not too picky, you can buy one from a thrift store. Omnipresent Jan 21 #5

beat me to it. mopinko Jan 21 #16

It's the same with most products bucolic_frolic Jan 21 #6

When we lived in roach city - Houston, Texas TexLaProgressive Jan 21 #8

My Proctor-Sylex Type T71 has served me well. Hugin Jan 21 #9

I cut the piece of bread in half fargone Jan 21 #11

She Who Must be Obeyed nurses our 40+ year old toaster along Brother Buzz Jan 21 #12

100% agree Prairie Gates Jan 21 #13

You can get quality, but the cost is sky high gulliver Jan 21 #14

Take a look at the mercuryblues Jan 21 #15

Toaster oven is the way to go. Diamond_Dog Jan 21 #17

Toaster oven. Wednesdays Jan 21 #18

Same here SheltieLover Jan 21 #28

I love my Black & Decker convection toaster oven dickthegrouch Jan 21 #19

Go to Goodwill or find an estate sale. flvegan Jan 21 #20

Oh, this is halarious! Toast on subscription! Wall Street will love it. Gosh, I can subscribe to say, 8 pieces of toast PatrickforB Jan 21 #21

Thrift or second hand store. haele Jan 21 #22

Let me know when you find a good toaster. It's very frustrating. Vinca Jan 21 #23

Bought a microwave at Habitat Restore for $20 lostnfound Jan 21 #24

We still need a toaster with a built-in TV and wi-fi - and a self-cleaning button dalton99a Jan 21 #25

I can remember when their was toaster repair. Sneederbunk Jan 21 #26

I toast mine in my toaster oven. SheltieLover Jan 21 #27

Look for sales by those companies with pricey but excellent Ilsa Jan 21 #29

I have a Proctor Silex toaster I inherited from doc03 Jan 21 #30

I have one of those too, but it can't handle wide slices of bread. NT mahatmakanejeeves Jan 21 #35

I've been looking for a new toaster myself. It's frustrating. MIButterfly Jan 21 #31

I bought this to fit my hippie style Tree Lady Jan 21 #32

That's a nice looking toaster! n/t PatrickforB Jan 21 #33

Are you done complaining? Here's the answer. mahatmakanejeeves Jan 21 #34

I bought a Breville toaster oven 10-12 years ago. It was pricey, even then. About $200. Toasts perfectly. Raftergirl Jan 21 #37