I used the machine a lot over the two years (though not extreme levels). I think the rubber had got a lot smoother (thinner). Can't say how the other guys used them but it will not have been anything excessive.
Ultimately I haven't used this console any different than I have the Dreamcast, N64, Mega drive, PS 1 and 2 etc and I've never had to replace a controller. I was lucky in a sense that it lasted two years I guess as one of my friends ps4's lasted all of a month before the rubber was completely gone.
These arnt cheap to buy either and should be made with the build quality to accommodate all kind of users, ages etc.
Interesting, and I don't disagree. You nailed it on the head with the final sentence in your reply.
Sorry you're having these issues, because I know full well how expensive they can be. I have a somewhat annoying, non-sexual controller fetish, which makes me want to buy every new variant that's released, be it the CoD controller with the orange sticks or the Halo Xbox One pad. Even the ugly Vader one a bit.
I don't need them, and they're $74.99 plus tax here, so about $85 total. I don't drink or buy many games, nor do I smoke, so it's like my vice, but it's dumb.
I had this happen to me within the first few months of owning the console. I messed them up while casually playing shooters.
Interesting. That's different from above given the timeframe. It's weird how people are having different experiences. We can't sweat that much differently.
I just use my console casually, so I wondered if that's one reason why I've never seen it. But I've been to tons of events where I've also never seen it. Granted, they likely wouldn't put damaged controllers out and all controllers put out at events may well be brand new.
What is annoying with this whole DS4 quality though is the total 'silence' from Sony. Very poor showing and I knew this generation they were going to nickel and dime us (after being the total opposite for the ps3). Mind you, I can stomach it a little if it means they are still in Games...
I don't like the DS3's rubber as much. The sticks feel kind of cheap to me, and the material is kind of weird. But I guess there's no doubting that it's better.
What you said is true, though: Sony's silence is alarming.