Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/02/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Without resorting to a "pissing" contest, you're both right and wrong, Dan, as is your company and most "consumer advocacy" companies... Briefly, "consumer" products may have improved, and in fact are vastly cheaper than in the past (adjusted dollars)....I do agree that your new car is safer, more economical (to RUN) and a very good value....however, it's longevity is far shorter than my l962 Chevy....and it's major repairs far more expensive as a percentage of income than my truck....a tradeoff!...(I have, and like, a Nissan Sentra....) AS for vacuum tube TVs, it's the cost cutting measures of the 60s that led to DISMAL tube life....I have and use (exclusively) high dollar communications and audio equipment, all tube, in which the TUBE life is longer than the life of a new TV or stereo...and of course, the equipment itself has a virtually unlimited lifespan--and is repairable!! (tube and electrolytic capacitor life of 20+ years, equipment life expectancy AT least 75 years) All "consumer" groups are today geared to today's consumer....as they should be.....they look for the best value per dollar (NOT Leica) and the reliability for 10 years or so (CLEARLY not Leica), after which the manufacturer stops "supporting" the product, rendering it "obsolete"...(again, NOT Leica)....for the consumer you and your company serve (assumption), you tell the truth, accurately.....the "bookshelf" stereo today costs a small fraction in adjusted dollars (pocket change) of what home audio cost in 1965.....and its disposal after 5-10 years IS the proper choice... That's not my style of consumerism....yes, I'm one of those!!!... I want an item FOREVER. I scrimp on other things (clothes, decoration, even food), but I want my "durable goods" to be just that.... FOREVER.... I would have not wasted my breath on all this for the "X-generation" consumer.....buy the CD player, beat the crap out of it for 3-5 years, and start over.....that's AN approach that is admirable.... even economical, with today's consumer products...it's just not my style, nor is it representative of this list....if so, buy Canon Rebels every few years for the price of a CLA on my M4!!!! Sincerely, Walt