Unexpected Obsolescence
I want another of, or maybe a replacement for, a product I like using...
Unfortunately, it is NOT available anymore.
One problem is that most manufacturers want to be everything to everyone, so they can make the most money possible. Unfortunately, this means LOTS of companies will purchase an order of predesigned/produced "white box" product and have their name stenciled on the side. The company sells that model until their stock begins to get low and then decides if that product was profitable enough for them to buy more stock of. Sometimes the answer is No.
Even when the answer is yes, this long time between stock orders means the "white box" manufacturer is likely to change the product to better match THEIR cost/profit ratios. Sometimes the changes are small and only a few parts are different but if the product has changed completely it will need all new marketing materials. That makes it a "new & improved" model they can charge extra for; they MUST recoup their marketing investment... and maybe make some tiny insignificant additional profits also. These creative business tactics can make it tough for an end user to get correct replacement parts and accessories over the life of a product.
How does it affect me?
- When purchasing something cheap
- I now get all desired accessories at time of original device purchase (more or less)
- They are not likely to be correct or possibly not available at all by this time next year
- Anything being used regularly becomes important and therefore worth the extra cash for extra quality/reliability
- This prevents the previous problem almost entirely since those manufacturers with a reputation for quality have that reputation for a reason and will do what it takes to maintain it