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How Cheap Products Are Destroying Brand Trust

How Cheap Products Are Destroying Brand Trust

Entrepreneur15-05-2025

Consumers are addicted to cheap, low-quality products that are designed to fail. This addiction is taking a toll on our collective mental health.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
In an era of throwaway culture, products built to fail are costing us trust, money and something often overlooked – mental health.
As The Wall Street Journal recently discussed, consumers are addicted to cheap goods that they don't need and are engineered to fail. With every purchase of another low-quality disposable product, there's a growing cognitive dissonance: We know our choices are contributing to something harmful — to ourselves, our finances and our environment — but we can't seem to help ourselves.
This ongoing struggle is taking a toll. A 2023 study published by Frontiers in Psychology found that materialism is consistently associated with mental health problems like depression and anxiety and contributes to an overall decline in well-being. In other words, buying more is not making us feel better – it's making us feel worse.
This phenomenon contributes to another worrying trend — our eroding trust in institutions, and big businesses in particular. According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in U.S. businesses runs at just 47%, well below the global average of 56% and lags behind countries like China (77%) and India (75%).
Related: Stop Blindly Following 'the Customer Is Always Right'
We don't just feel annoyed by broken items; we feel betrayed. Low-quality, unreliable products lead to a deeper emotional turmoil in which we begin to question the integrity of the marketplace, of brands, and even our judgment.
In my last article, I argued that as entrepreneurs, we have a responsibility and the power to reverse the destructive advertising and business trends that are fueling society's need for products they don't need or cannot afford. But fixing how we sell is only part of the solution. We also need to focus on what we sell.
Entrepreneurs do not have to sacrifice their businesses' growth and reputation to improve the situation. By focusing on creating high-quality, durable products, we can build customer loyalty and grow responsibly. Build less and build better.
Many brands have proven it's possible to prioritize product quality by offering lifetime warranties, repair programs or simply building products that last. As a result, they are forging trust and long-term loyalty that keeps customers coming back. Here are a few that stand out.
Apple – Quality and durability : Apple did not become the biggest company in the world by building junk. Its products are expensive relative to most competitors, but they are also high quality and built to last. Apple also benefits from the power of the Halo effect – confidence in one product encourages customers to buy more from the same brand. Higher prices become less of an issue when consumers know Apple's products will perform for years.
: Apple did not become the biggest company in the world by building junk. Its products are expensive relative to most competitors, but they are also high quality and built to last. Apple also benefits from the power of the Halo effect – confidence in one product encourages customers to buy more from the same brand. Higher prices become less of an issue when consumers know Apple's products will perform for years. Briggs & Riley's lifetime warranty: The luggage maker produces high-quality luggage that's backed by a lifetime warranty. I've sent my suitcase back four times since I bought it over a decade ago, including after it fell off the back of a pick-up truck in Ecuador. Each time, they have repaired it. As a result, I've recommended this company to everyone I know. That kind of service builds loyalty.
The luggage maker produces high-quality luggage that's backed by a lifetime warranty. I've sent my suitcase back four times since I bought it over a decade ago, including after it fell off the back of a pick-up truck in Ecuador. Each time, they have repaired it. As a result, I've recommended this company to everyone I know. That kind of service builds loyalty. Hyundai changed the market and its reputation with a 10-year warranty: After launching into the American market in the 1980s with inexpensive yet low-quality vehicles, Hyundai reinvented itself by offering good-quality, durable vehicles and "America's Best Warranty" through an unprecedented 10-year/100,000-mile comprehensive plan. While most competitors' warranties maxed out at 5 years or 60,000 miles, Hyundai's move completely changed its reputation and helped it become the number three automaker in the world.
More and more people want to buy from brands that are honest, sustainable and sell products that are built to last. Entrepreneurs just need to give them the opportunity to make the responsible choice.
Related: 31 Low-Budget Marketing Ideas for Your Business
Three shifts for entrepreneurs who want to build better
Start with one, high-quality product : Instead of revamping your entire product line, focus on making one item truly exceptional. Emphasize quality craftsmanship, offer extended support and let that product become your calling card. Use the Halo effect that Apple and others leverage for growth.
: Instead of revamping your entire product line, focus on making one item truly exceptional. Emphasize quality craftsmanship, offer extended support and let that product become your calling card. Use the Halo effect that Apple and others leverage for growth. Be transparent about lifespan and use: Instead of pretending that your product is eternal, tell the truth about its expected lifespan. And if the life span is designed to barely outlive its warranty, invest in ways to make it more durable and able to live up to your sales pitch.
Conversely, if you build a product that is designed to fail earlier than it should, at least be transparent about it. While I certainly don't endorse planned obsolescence for any product, your customers deserve to know that the product may not last as long as others, but it is (hopefully) priced accordingly.
Offer free replacement or repair: As you transition your brand's reputation to one known for high quality and long-term value, you'll need to convince consumers that your claims are legitimate. There's no better way than to stand behind what you sell with a long-term warranty that includes a commitment to repair or replace.
It's time to redefine success
For too long, entrepreneurs have been conditioned to sell as much as possible at the highest price possible. This has led to most consumers conflating volume with value.
However, there is an opportunity to shift toward a different paradigm anchored in selling fewer items in order to generate higher returns in terms of brand value and customer retention.
I'm calling on my fellow entrepreneurs to embrace this opportunity and put an end to the constant strain on our collective mental health that's been created by the phenomenon of planned obsolescence.
After all, real innovation isn't about making and selling more and more products. It's about making better products that don't need to be replaced. Innovation is about giving people real value in exchange for their hard-earned money, and not just more stuff.

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'Overworked and underpaid employees don't want pizza parties and team-building exercises,' he said. His eyes looked strained, and I couldn't tell if he had a headache or was exhausted… I guessed both. 'What's wrong with pizza?' I joked, trying to lighten the mood. 'Nothing. I like pizza. But when you're stressed about finances, have to fight for every penny you make, juggle more responsibilities than you have time, and doing everything you can to exceed expectations to the point of burnout… well, what you need is to feel valued, have opportunities for growth, a wage and a title that reflects everything that you're doing, some help, strong support and a good work culture… some freakin' hope… something that has more of a lasting impact than a slice of pizza.' I remained silent. I couldn't decide if I was allowing him more space to think or if I was thinking to myself how much I agreed with him. 'It's almost insulting,' he continued. '99.9% of the time, they act like they don't even recognize our existence, and now they want to throw us a party? No thanks. Having a party is great, but first, let's get your team healthy enough to enjoy it.' He paused. 'They're panhandling a superficial solution to a real problem.' 'And what's the real problem?' I asked. 'They aren't investing in people — they're investing in results. They don't realize that the results will exceed their expectations if you authentically invest in good, hardworking, talented people. Despite the lack of meaningful appreciation and resources, we have a great team. Think what it could be if they added the missing components.' He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. He stared at me with a tiredness that went well beyond the moment. 'Wouldn't it be nice to have an environment where employees are invested in so much that they could find another job but don't because they love where they work?' he asked. 'That would be nice,' I said. 'What do you think is going to happen?' 'We are woefully under-supported, yet the expectations keep rising. Essentially, we're being set up to fail… either by failing to reach their unattainable bar or by failing our health and family in thinking that we must continue without setting realistic boundaries. Heck, it could end where I cannot meet their increasing expectations, get let go, and cannot even use them as a reference. That would be ridiculous, as I'm a great employee. I feel destined to fail, and that's a horrible feeling.' 'Sounds like fear is playing a role, too,' I said. 'You bet it does! They have me: I am too strapped for time and finances to even look for another job. By the end of the workday, I'm beyond exhausted, have headaches, can't sleep, and am barely present for my family. Yet, I'm doing this for my family. That's messed up. Worst, I actually like my job. Heck, I'm great at it. But who cares? They'd rather put money into hiring other positions and socials than caring for the few doing the bulk of the work. Where does that leave me? Seriously, where? It leaves me angry because I CARE.' I didn't say anything. 'Right… you're lack of response has been my answer for a long time. I can't do a damn thing, and they know it. But you know what?' 'What?' 'Even more than what I know about them, I know me,' he said. 'I've been in much worse situations than this one. I'm accustomed to survival mode. The difference was that I was fighting for something worth the sacrifice. Here, I am fighting to take care of my family in an environment that isn't fighting for me. The sacrifice, as it stands, is not supporting my why… if I am too sick or strained to be available to my family, why am I giving my limited energy to a job that would soon forget me the moment I'm gone?' 'Very true,' I said. 'I have two months of savings in my account. If I quit today, I would have two months to look for a job. Imagine what I could do with two months of actual rest and serenity. Granted, it would be stressful, especially since I'm already familiar with the devil I know. But, as it stands now, eventually, my body will force me to take two months off to recuperate from whatever condition I'm bringing upon myself. So, if I have to be down and out, wouldn't it be better to be down and out to find a job — rested and fed — than sick?' 'Sounds like you lack work-life balance because you fear losing your job if you speak up, fear failing their continued rising expectations, and fear of an eventual health prognosis of keeping your job if nothing changes,' I said. 'I'm afraid either way, I'm going to lose everything,' he said. 'Let's play that out. What if you lost your job today for whatever reason? What horrible thing could happen?' I asked. 'I could have a hard time finding another job due to the economy, I could be forced to sell our home, I would default on some loans, I would….' He stopped. 'I would fail my family.' 'Of all you just said, you didn't mention losing your family,' I said. 'Oh, I would never lose them. They are my life, and I know my wife and kids are always beside me,' he said. 'Always.' 'So, you'll never lose what is most important because you won't lose them, right?' I asked. 'Right,' he said. For the first time, his eyes looked like they had just read a hopeful line in a sad book. 'You're not letting your family down by acknowledging your worth, recognizing where you're most needed, and adjusting accordingly,' I said. 'What are you suggesting?' he asked. 'I would never tell you what to do, as that is between you and your family. I would recommend you take it to prayer with your wife. I would caution you not to allow this to continue for much longer, as you will eventually begin to harbor resentment and anger toward your employer and yourself for putting up with it. And I would stop having so many passive boundaries.' 'Passive boundaries?' he asked. 'Yes. You know you are a valuable employee. You mentioned to me earlier that you've been a stellar employee in every job you've had. Guess what? You will be again if you choose to get another job. Stop allowing others to pacify you with empty promises and pizza parties. Speak to what you want, whether a promotion or help … whatever you know to be true. If they don't see your requests as valid, that doesn't make them false. It just means they don't know your worth… make sure you do.' 'I know my worth, but I also know my responsibilities,' he said. 'That's fair. Often, we do things as adults because we 'have to' more than 'want to.' Responsibility isn't meant to be taken lightly or shirked. Over time, however, we must pay attention to patterns, noticing when individuals consistently demonstrate that they are not going to change and when it is upon us to change.' 'I get that. I'm just terrified of letting my family down,' he said. The weight upon him was suffocating, and I could tell he was carrying a burden that would eventually break him. 'That's speaking from a position of self-loathing and shame. Such thinking keeps you stagnant in areas where God has gifted you and given you talents to grow. There is nothing shameful about taking care of your health, not diminishing your value, and moving forward in full faith that God is opening doors you haven't even seen.' 'Opening doors I haven't even seen,' he repeated. 'I like the sound of that.' 'All I'm saying is keep your options open… you've convinced yourself that you're trapped. You're not. Even if things change for the better in your current job or it all falls away, the most important things will remain. And God will eventually position you on higher ground. He knows your needs. He knows you. Believe this. Trust God. And move forward, being okay with whatever outcome God provides.' 'Whatever outcome God provides. Yes,' he said. For the first time, he offered a faint smile. God, be with us as we make difficult decisions. Help us to simply be obedient to You, trusting that You will either change our situation or change us. May we use the skills and talents You have blessed us with to serve You with joy, knowing that You will provide for us and sustain us well beyond any earthly position. You are stronger than our greatest fears, and in Your strength, and in Your name, we move. Our true position is in You alone, Christ Jesus. Lead us, guide us, and take us from fear to faith in Your presence and peace. This column was initially published by CherryRoad Media. ©Tiffany Kaye Chartier.

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