I too still have my GE hand mixer & coffee pot, revere Stainless pots &
bowls & Oster blender from 1960... When amassing newer gadgets thru the
years I have learned that, Black & Decker used to be great but out
sources to the Far East now and is crapola as well as Toastmaster
(which goes up in flames and has been recalled so many times)...so I buy
Braun, Moulinex, DiLonghi whenever possible now....They are only
slightly higher priced but worth not having to worry about and replacing
it every few years....

As you wrote, people can only manufacture a product according to specs
and if they are el cheapo, so is the finished product.....buyer beware
...

http://community.webtv.net/R-J-Q/FIRSTANNUALALLYEAR

http://www.wtv-zone.com/cal555/index.html