I have a fair amount of experience with USB type C power delivery both as a consumer and a hardware product designer.
The short take is that USB Type C is a nightmare. The connectors, particularly the receptacles, are themselves terribly fragile both physically and electrically compared to USB A and even micro B. This means that the devices themselves become sacrificial rather than the cables, a much more expensive proposition.
Repairing the receptacles at component level is not easy because half the pads are hidden beneath the connector itself: you need the right skills and equipment to repair them. In the event of an electrical failure, you’re typically faced with a complete board replacement.
For the latest Apple MacBook, with a single receptacle for everything, that’s a £500 repair from your Apple Store. Replacement parts for a component level repair aren’t available outside Apple except from donor boards. Keep in mind that the SSDs are soldered onto the board, so remember to scrub it before it goes for repair, they keep your old board and hand you back a wiped machine.
Furthermore, not all USB type C cables are made equal. They may look the same, some even may appear to be electrically the same if you buzz them out. But not all are suitable for Power Delivery, particularly at higher currents.
Most cables that support PD won’t support USB Super Speed, DisplayPort or Thunderbolt.
A PD cable that works at 35, 45 or 65W often won’t work at 85 or 100W: consumers must carefully check the item description before purchase.
Regarding PD chargers, it’s not uncommon for a 45W charger to appear to work with a 65W laptop. However be aware that not only will charge time be slowed, it is likely that the machine’s performance may be throttled as a result.
The attempt to make a universal standard is noble. Where USB Type C falls down is that much of the standard is optional, and consumers cannot be expected to understand the numerous nuances, or know the right questions to ask. I dread to think how many apparently suitable cables and chargers are purchased by unsuspecting purchasers, which turn out to be landfill and a frustrating user experience.