Broken handles

The fridge handle broke and it is not even a year old but not under warranty. The bathroom vent fan died. So I replaced both. I saved the landlord a good chunk of change. Each easy enough to repair and with the web cheaper than the appliance store wanted. 
But having to do all this caused me to think about when, when the Kelvinator lasted for years. The washer and dryer worked continuously for eons.
When we moved into my mother-in-law's house after she passed we entered into the 70's. The avocado colored appliances were working fine and the shag carpet still in good shape. Except it was outdated. So like many home owners we decided to "modernize" the kitchen, replacing the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Moved out the almond colored washer and dryer for newer white models.
But for replacing items that lasted 20+ years we ended up with the modern that crapped out in a matter of a short few years. The dishwasher motor shorted out because of a design flaw. The oven element burned up. And the fridge? Well, wrong size to begin with and the ice maker quit.
We watch the shows with people going into a house and complain because the kitchen is not updated. "Oh, it is going to break our budget because Westinghouse is white." Big whoop. We are always replacing what works. Stainless steel - geesh, have you ever tried to keep that surface clean?
Maybe I am cheap. Maybe functional works. Who knows? That old Montgomery Ward blender is still cranking out some chillin' coladas.