In The End Chinese Products Are Way More Expensive
The problem with quality of Chinese products stems from two sources:
(a) The inability of the American importer to control the Chinese suppliers from using inferior components and
(b) The wholesale price that the American importer is willing to pay the Chinese for the products
For example low voltage landscape bulbs made in China need to be replaced every six months, while those made in Germany (hard to find, but they do exist) last well over four years. That is a durability factor of eight. Initially, the German bulbs cost twice as much, but over a period of four years the Chinese bulbs are four times as expensive as the German bulbs, not to mention about the hassle of replacing the bulbs. Who benefits from this ? Both the greedy US importer and the Chinese supplier - they make four times as much as they would if their quality and cost were at par with the Germans.
Another example is stainless steel. You may never think that stainless steel rusts, but Chinese stainless steel do. The reason is very simple. Instead of using a 20% to 25% nickel concentration, many Chinese manufacturer cheat by using only 10% Nickel. It is very hard for the US importer to lab test each and every shipment for Nickel content and the Chinese suppliers are well aware of this. One can only hope (and pray) that Chinese supplied steel and other metals being used in our buildings and bridges are genuine and don't start falling apart in few years.
Personally, I look for products that are made (not just assembled) in USA, Canada, Germany, Korea, Thailand, India or Taiwan for quality. The extra cost is much more than compensated by quality and reliability.
Steve Banerjee
of CA
@
Sep 11, 2009 11:31:37 AM
Buyers Beware
This is as apt a statement when we do business with China. with all the price advantages, one is more often fraught with risk of poor quality,besides the low ethical values of Chinese Business Houses. Lure of cheap goods has taken victim of many a Importers from West. and I am one of them.
WHAT THEY SHOW ( sample) IS NOT WHAT YOU GET !!!
So Buyers beware.
I know of a fellow businessman, he goes to china to personally check the shipments and comes back only when the container is sealed !.
Suraj Arora
of CA
@
Jun 19, 2009 00:33:20 AM
Robert Porchison / Response
Robert -
I'm not sure what's set you off, but you should know that "Poorly Made in China" is not an attempt to tell others "how things should be." The book is a narrative adventure, a quick romp through China's manufacturing sector. Those who have read the book have so far reported positively on it!
If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of the book, send me an email with your address, or post your mailing address here. It would be my pleasure to get you a review copy. I won't be doing this too often, but in this case I would like to take a chance on you (as I would like you to take a chance on the book).
Best regards,
Paul Midler
Author of "Poorly Made in China"
Paul Midler
of PA
@
Apr 27, 2009 09:19:19 AM
I am not going to read this book.
I know Midler from his blog and from his other writings and it is obvious that what we have here is a Wharton MBA (as he is always so quick to tell everyone) who is angry because his way of doing business in China is no more and he has been passed by. So now he writes a book about it, complaining as he always does how China is not how things should be, per that which one learns at Wharton. No thanks.
Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.
Steve Banerjee of CA @ Sep 11, 2009 11:31:37 AM
Suraj Arora of CA @ Jun 19, 2009 00:33:20 AM
Paul Midler of PA @ Apr 27, 2009 09:19:19 AM
Robert Porchison of GA @ Apr 26, 2009 13:53:23 PM
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