Product lifecycle management is often presented as a seamless, closed-loop process—but in reality, it is a fragmented and complex series of independent actions, driven by profit at every stage. Each stakeholder, from manufacturers to end-users, operates with their own interests in mind, prioritising what benefits them financially. When maintaining or repairing a product becomes too costly, it’s often skipped in favour of disposal and replacement, with taxpayers left to bear the burden of managing waste. Traditionally, manufacturers have designed products to meet the needs of their initial client, focussing on price and functionality. However, evolving demands now emphasise repairability, usability, cybersecurity, and the looming challenge of planned obsolescence. Each stage of a product’s lifecycle, from extraction to end-of-life, offers an opportunity for profit—but also potential conflict, as different parties’ interests’ clash. This chapter delves into the forces driving each stakeholder across a product’s life, uncovering the compromises made at every step. It also highlights the tension between maximising profitability and delivering sustainable, user-friendly products, revealing that, ultimately, the idea of a ‘perfect product’ remains elusive.