I wonder if there is a market for higher end products that are truly built to last. Not so much things like cell phones (although I believe it should be mandatory that the batteries be easily replacable)... more like large appliances: refrigerators, washing machines, etc. Like, how hard would it be to separate all the little stupid useless features from the hardcore functional ones and make it so that things like control panels on washers are easy to replace when they malfunction?
Its an interesting idea as the biggest problem where I live is the cost of labour to repair.
By the time you get a serviceman out to take a look, order the part, come back and fix it the cost is approaching half that of a new machine.
I've fixed my espresso machine, washing machine and fridge with parts that are usually sub $50, but they wouldn't have been viable to fix if I had to get a serviceman in for it.
I'm not sure any of the repairs could have been made much easier, for example the front panel/MCU for my washing machine can be replaced in minutes, just remove about 6 phillips head screws to get the top and panel off, swap the connectors over, done.
