Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
The goods aren't any shoddier. They just don't have the extra warrany cost rolled in.
(The US version of the curtis runs $22.
http://www.amazon.com/Curtis-DVD1046...+DVD1053UK+DVD
The $5 is about the cost of a third-party warranty.)
DVDs are generic tech by now and no-names are about as good as the name brands--tthey're all made in China anyway. 
(I was talking a few years back.)
Warranty length is not a reflection of build quality, especially if mandated. All a vendor has to do is contract with an aftermarket warranty service and roll the cost into the price and the product "magically" acquires a longer warranty. No different than the extended warranties retailers love to sell except that consumers don't get a choice.
The point is that the consumer gets to choose what they want and don't have it mandated by a nanny.
There is a difference between addressing predatory practices and mandating a product design and confiuration and in the US producers are given a lot of (non-safety related) leeway. Laws have been overturned over that particular detail.
The way it works in most states, instead of a cookie cutter warranty mandate, manufacturers are required to take back truly shoddy products. (Lemon Laws.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_law |
The warranty isn't much extra cost to the manufacturer if the products aren't shoddy. Customers still have choices with the warranty because they can get extra warranty.