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A comment on A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the fridge I own now. Parent comment

Re:A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the f... by Night_Thastus on Monday July 31, 2023 @03:46PM (#36947800)
You might happily pay more, but 99% of consumers won't. They just look at the sticker price + features and call it a day. And with the prices this low and trying to meet energy goals, reliability goes out the window.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the f... by vineyardmike on Monday July 31, 2023 @04:15PM (#36948154)
> They just look at the sticker price + features and call it a day

This thread makes it clear most people think all models are unreliable or that a consumer can’t search based on reliability.

If you accept everything is equally unreliable or unreliability is equally unknown, what else but price and features would you use to make a decision?

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the f... by Night_Thastus on Monday July 31, 2023 @04:30PM (#36948340)
If reliability is a true concern, then go commercial.

If not, spend weeks researching. Cross reference text and video reviews from many sources, look into the technologies manufacturers use, look at feedback from people working in the repair industry, etc.

Then, maybe you can get something a bit better than average. At the very least you'll avoid the true lemons.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the f... by vineyardmike on Monday July 31, 2023 @04:54PM (#36948658)
Well thanks for telling me this. My point was that reliability could be a true concern, but if people believe they can’t shop for it, they won’t bother.

You kinda proved my point too - your suggested steps to follow take weeks, and end in a “maybe you’ll get something a bit better than average”. That truly sounds like “don’t bother even if you want it”.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:A fridge from 70 years ago has better features than the f... by Night_Thastus on Monday July 31, 2023 @05:16PM (#36948945)
That's a fair point. If there was an easy "reliability score" slapped via a sticker onto every appliance, and it was reliable, then yes, consumers might care a lot more - especially for the more expensive ones.
[ Parent | on HN ]