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Nonsense. When company A becomes too greedy and abusive of customers, it creates an opening for company B, which gives company A a major incentive to not get too greedy.

Suuure. That's why a toaster made in the 50's worked for 50 years, and even then, could be repaired to last another 50... whereas the toaster today lasts 5 years and then must be thrown away. Planned obsolescence, just one of the many advantages one receives when relying upon greed rather than principle.

Okay.

What did a toaster cost in the 50s?

A Sunbeam T-20 cost $22.50 in 1949.

In 2007, $22.50 from 1949 is worth:

$195.61 using the Consumer Price Index
$164.54 using the GDP deflator
$319.17 using the value of consumer bundle
$325.27 using the unskilled wage
$575.39 using the nominal GDP per capita
$1,165.09 using the relative share of GDP

http://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/uscompare/result.php

Meanwhile, I can trot down to Big Lots and buy a new toaster when mine breaks for $10. Or I can probably pick one up next Saturday at a garage sale for one or two bucks.

Are the people producing cheap toasters being unethical, or are they giving people what they want?

If they produce a fine quality, highly durable toaster that sells for $100+, are they being ethical or foolish? How many people are willing to pay that much more for a durable toaster? Are you? I know I’m not.

If people don’t buy their toaster, they won’t be in business long. Is that ethically meeting their responsibilities towards their investors and employees?

That's why a toaster made in the 50's worked for 50 years, and even then, could be repaired to last another 50

If you can find somebody to repair your old toaster today, which I doubt, he will charge you at least $25 to $50 for his time, plus parts, assuming he can get parts, which again is doubtful.

Meanwhile, you can buy a new toaster, a quite nice one, at WalMart for $15 to $25.

Are you really going to pay the extra money to repair the old toaster? If you do, it's because you like it for reasons other than functionality, as you can get equivalent functionality for much less money and hassle.

That's fine. Just don't confuse your personal preference for high quality but expensive products with moral issues. Many other people prefer inexpensive products that they replace when they break. Nothing wrong with that either.