Hot off the press. U.S. consumers, during our economic doldrums, are buying technology gadgets rather than washers, apparel and furniture that last a few years. Apparently the lure of a smartphone or blu-ray DVD player is more appealing than the five-year old toaster that...well, makes toast. One 28 year-old guy was quoted: "Who cares about a toaster?. If it still works, let it be." Somehow I can't imagine techies saying the same thing about their $3,000 LCD TV hanging on the wall. If you pay … [Read more...]