When I was a young, innocent, naïve, farm boy, growing up in the mid-west, I remember hearing my father remarking about the many products he bought.

"The salesman told me — we'll never have to buy another one, — it'll last a lifetime."

Looking back on those days, Coke bottles were made of heavy glass, car bumpers were so strong we could walk on them and never make a dent.It seemed that everything in those days was "built to last."

Now, in 2018, it seems like everything is built to fail. A crash in a new 2018 automobile at 5 miles an hour is equivalent to a house payment or more to repair.

Disposable Products

We have disposable razors, plastic coke bottles, disposable diapers (well, that's OK), disposable cell phones and a host of other items too lengthy to list here today.

When did it suddenly become OK with the public to buy more and more of the same product and failure or breakage is an accepted norm?

Four Types of Planned Obsolescence

In this broadcast I’ll talk about four types of planned obsolescence.

  • Technological Obsolescence
  • Postponed Obsolescence
  • Physical Obsolescence
  • Style Obsolescence

Some Final Thoughts

Planned Obsolescence is not a bad thing in every instance. In many cases consumers become the winners with better products and more choice.

Let’s just make sure we plan to provide the best outcome for our customers who keep us all in business.

Tune into The Open for Business Radio Show each week 11AM to 2PM Mountain time from the studios of AM 1450 KMMS in Bozeman, Montana. Listen online at kmmsam.com. Call during the show and give us your thoughts at 406-522-8255 or text the show at 406-266-7617.

More From KMMS-KPRK 1450 AM