Hi Boomer,
I share your frustration. Many consumer products are engineered today for planned obsolescence. Even Consumer Reports now recommends replacing rather than fixing many kitchen appliances after so many years-- like eight or something. Appliances that last 40 or more years are gone with the wind.
Some really, really expensive brands are supposed to last longer. But I wonder sometimes, do I buy a cheap one that I know will only last 5 or so years, or an expensive one that might last longer? It's as if appliance manufacturers are saying, "We'll sell you a piece of junk at regular price. Or, we'll sell you one that actually works as intented and might still work five years down the road-- but we charge extra for that."
