I do work on them and I did get parts (for the older one) at the appliance store parts desk (pulley; switch). No problem.
You will always hear the argument about brand-name superiority vs. generic in any industry. Very rarely is it true, except in the case where the generics i.e. drugs are sourced from a second-tier manufacturer.
All appliances, all brands, all parts have been cheapened. The era of 25-year appliance lifetimes is long past.
Its the newer ones that I am talking about. They are made by second tier manufacturers and they use pot metal and plastic instead of steel and nylon.
Oh I know about the fact that things just are not made to last a long time anymore.
I have a 25 year old Curtis Mathis TV still going strong but I have a new model 2 year old Sony that is already crapping out.