Um....I don't think that will have a significant impact on the product's life. Especially in comparison to it's current useable life. Honestly, when was the last time you threw away a tv because it malfunctioned. Compare that to the last time you "upgraded" to a new tv.
How much of what you own do you throw away from over use? (honest question)
The exception that comes to mind is furniture. That stuff is garbage. But their old stuff probably doesn't last much longer than the new, less resources, stuff. Should WalMart stop trying to conserve resources because people thing that extra stuff has extra value?

Good point, QueenOfTheFall! I had the same thought. Some progress is better than no progress (as long as it's understood that this step forward doesn't excuse their other bad policies).

I disagree. To continue the TV example, I have a hand-me-down TV from my parents purchased mid-90s. It is ridiculously heavy and a pain to move around, but it's still going. I can't justify spending $500 for a new fancy flat screen when I have a perfectly good TV already. However, when you look at the number of people who have splurged and gotten new ones, it is amazing to see how many have problems. The set turns on, but screen doesn't come on; the whole thing doesn't work; weird coloration/pixelation; etc. And of course, you can't find anyone who will fix a TV anymore. And surely I'm not the only who one wears clothes out no? One of the commenters pointed out underwear-Hanes falls apart so quickly these days.

I was in the domestic appliance repair business and it used to bug me when people would, for example, replace a washing machine at a cost of £180 for a budget model, rather than repair their existing appliance for a quarter of the price, because "it was time to upgrade". These were also the kind of people who would be the first to complain when they realised their new purchase was a piece of c**p and regretted the day they got rid of the old appliance.

The environmental impact of producing and disposing a heavy item like this is phenomenal and tragic, see today's Boston Globe:

The mine in Guatemala City

The conveniences of shopping at places like Walmart, in my opinion, has escalated our throw away culture and there is nothing that Walmart can do to stop it despite the platitudes. The nature of their business is to sell more tat we don't need at prices we can't afford not to.

If you want quality, durable products you don't buy from a one-stop.

The Story of Stuff will hopefully blow your mind.

This video to be more specific: The Story of Stuff

I recently stopped by a Walmart the other day because I needed a sweater during a trip, and it was the first store I saw that looked likely to have clothing.

The clothing section was AWFUL. Horrible. I haven't been in a Walmart for a couple years just because I haven't lived near one in close distance, but I was shocked how downhill the clothing has gone. It's not like it was ever a high-end clothing source, of course, but half the fabric felt like brightly died sack cloth.

As for answering QueenOfTheFall's question - I think an awful lot of people who shop at Walmart *do* wear or use everything until it breaks down or wears out. I know back in my regular Walmart shopping days, I wore my clothes until the holes were too big to fix.

Which makes it all the more sad when people are buying products likely to fall apart sooner.

Great article. I feel like I'm constantly searching for the best long lasting product and thanks to the big box stores (Walmart being the giant among giants) it is increasingly harder even now when I have more buying power.