I get what you're saying, but honestly, I think most people would pay a little extra if they knew upfront that something was easy to fix. At least, I know I would. Last year, my microwave broke down—nothing major, just a simple fuse issue. Thought I'd save myself some cash by fixing it myself. But nope, the screws were some weird star-shaped thing I'd never seen before, and the fuse was buried deep inside layers of glued plastic. Ended up having to toss it and buy a new one anyway. Felt like such a waste.
I think part of the problem is that companies assume we're all chasing sleek designs and ultra-thin profiles. Sure, slim and shiny looks great on Instagram or whatever, but when it comes down to actually using and maintaining something every day, practicality matters way more. I'd gladly trade a bit of aesthetics for something I can open up easily without specialized tools or risking breaking it even more.
But then again... maybe companies know exactly what they're doing? If repairs are tricky enough, most folks won't even bother trying—they'll just buy new. Good for business, bad for our wallets (and the environment). Makes me wonder if there's a middle ground somewhere—products designed with repairability in mind but still stylish enough to appeal to the average consumer. Or is that just wishful thinking?
Totally get your frustration—been there myself. Had a similar issue with a dishwasher last year. Thought it'd be a quick fix, but nope... proprietary screws and glued panels everywhere. Ended up calling a technician who basically told me it was cheaper to replace than repair. Seems like companies intentionally design stuff to discourage DIY repairs. A shame, really, because practical design doesn't have to mean ugly. Maybe someday they'll realize we care about function as much as form? Fingers crossed.
"Seems like companies intentionally design stuff to discourage DIY repairs."
Yeah, feels like they're playing 4D chess sometimes. Just moved into my first place and tried fixing a leaky faucet—thought it'd be simple, right? Nope... needed some weird custom wrench. Ended up watching YouTube tutorials for hours before giving in. Guess that's homeowner initiation for ya.
Had a similar experience recently with my washing machine. Thought I'd just pop it open, swap out a simple part, and be done before lunch. Nope... turns out the manufacturer used screws with some obscure star-shaped head that none of my screwdriver bits matched. Ended up ordering a whole new toolkit online and waiting three days. Makes me wonder, at what point does specialized design cross the line into intentional inconvenience?
Had something similar happen with my fridge last month. Thought I'd quickly replace the water filter—easy enough, right? Turns out the manufacturer hid it behind a panel secured by screws that looked like hex but weren't quite standard size. Ended up improvising with pliers (not recommended, btw) and scratched the panel pretty badly. Honestly, when basic maintenance tasks require specialized tools, it feels less like thoughtful design and more like deliberate hassle...
