I’d like a place where warranties aren’t a factor when discussing BIFL items. I know that some feel otherwise but for me the appeal of BIFL is NOT frugality (though it often overlaps) but rather in owning high quality, long lasting, repairable items. It also has an aspect of sustainability as I hope to only buy one of something and not have to consume multiples of the same thing when I replace them with a warranty. Also worth noting is that warranties are only good as long as the company issuing them still exists and honors them but high quality things will continue to work.
Anyway, excited to see this community here but I’d like a rule against warranties being considered when assessing if something is BIFL.
Economist George Akerlof explains the role of warranties in establishing customer confidence in his paper The Market for Lemons.
Keep in mind “lifetime warranty” often ends up being “lifetime of the company”, not yours. The Lindy Effect is relevant here.