Heh I just mean that it's usually not that hard once you learn how to look, and if you care. In some categories, I agree, can be tough, but there usually tends to be at least one old stodgy brand that refuses to cheap out, and usually they're rewarded with premium pricing. But oftentimes, the per-year cost is competitive or better. Speed Queen, Miele, Bosch, that sort of manufacturer tends to still make really solid stuff. In the case of speed queen, they're made in Wisconsin, and tend to use a lot of heavy steel parts, and be very repairable. Consumer Reports likes them, too, worth paying for a subscription if you're on a quest to find long lasting stuff, though they're not perfect.

RE marketing, highly recommend ublock origin and SponsorBlock if you don't have both yet.

I have them but they can't quite save me from shitty articles, sadly. Shitty videos I learned to avoid.

But yeah we don't disagree. I don't mind investing time and effort into becoming an informed consumer. But I just wish I did not have to.

But wishful thinking is nearly done wasting my years and money. If it has to be done then it does get done.