Regarding buy to keep, I completely agree, but whatever it is I purchase, I want to be able to be repaired. If there's a lot of plastic involved, I know at the outset that the item won't have as long of a life. If it's all metal, but parts are swaged or peened together, not bolted, or heat/cold interference fit with a joint compound, I also know the product is disposable.
This is how and why I get away with riding some absolutely spectacular, near priceless, very collectible bicycles as regular commuter bikes. I am living nearly paycheck to paycheck, but I saved up parts over the course of three decades and I build from my stash. I only buy or accept steel bicycle frames because the salt on the roads will destroy an aluminum frame over the course of a single winter, without judicious, daily washing. I can't count the number of times I told a customer that I will not allow them to leave the shop on their prized Cannondale because the road salt has eaten the annealed joint under a weld bead into powder. I show them, they get angry and storm out of the shop realizing their lack of care for their bike has lead to consequences that can't be repaired. As for my bikes and parts, I take care of them very well and all the components were built for repair, not replacement unless they are regular wear items, like chains, tires, cogs and chainrings. That's the key is to actually take care of the bike. Same goes for a car. Many folks in the US just don't want to do the maintenance required to keep the car in excellent condition, as a result, we often treat automobiles like cell phones.
Phil
