So, what did Zenith do to make their CRT's fail quicker?

[nasadowsk]

Originally Posted by Carmine

You would be amazed at how many people believe manufacturers build things to "fail" at some pre-determined date.

Let's see:

HP print cartridges that stop working after X pages, even if there's still ink in them...

Cars that turn on the check engine light every X miles to 'remind' you to replace the perfectly ok O2 sensor..

Sealed automatic transmissions, so you can't change the fluid and if there's a leak, you can't add any - new GMs are this way...

The infamously marginal timing belt on Hondas...

Lawnmower engines with plastic camshafts...

My other favorite is car parts where there's one REALLY marginal part, but you can't just buy/replace that, you have to buy a whole assembly.

Even nastier - I tried to get a manual for my new car (Mustang). Factory one? Nope - Ford wanted - get this - $10,000 for the manual set.