Why can they make a coffee-maker that will come on when you want it to, turn off after a given amount of time and perform other digital miracles but they can't design the simple caraffe that the coffee is dispensed into in such a manner that it will pour without getting coffee everywhere?

Why can you get a brand new cordless drill for less money than a replacement battery-pack for the same model?

Why can you get a brand new inkjet printer for less money than it costs to replace the two ink cartridges in the thing?

Why is it just about impossible to get a late-model automobile without guaranteed-to-be-a-costly-repair-in-a-few-years electric windows?

Why are the control buttons on many car stereos so small that it is impossible for guys with big fingers to punch just one button?

Why are the numbers on the keypads of modern telephones printed on using a paint that will wear off from normal use within just a few years?

Bruce