The idea that competition alone solves this problem ignores that this is an incomplete information system. I really, really want to buy products that work well

The idea that competition alone solves this problem ignores that this is an incomplete information system. I really, really want to buy products that work well, hassle-free and last a very long time, and I'm willing to pay premium for it. But how? Where do you even get that information? All you get is anecdotal experiences "buy this brand, I have a washing machine from them for 20 years going fine" that just don't apply to your problem. Sometimes I get lucky. I have a Mazda 2 with 16 years now. Very, very little issues, extremely reliable. But if I went to buy a new Mazda 2 model, other than my past good experience, would I even get something similar? You can't trust online reviews. 1st because they are played by the companies, and 2nd, I've noticed that people came to expect so little that they give 5 stars to something even when they specifically write that something was a little off. It's like the all society has accepted that you will only be able to use what you bought for 2 years, and even so, you are expected to face some problems with it.