Another China rant...

[eschoendorff]

Okay, I think that I've come to grips with the fact that a lot of stuff is from China nowadays. Doesn't mean I have to like it (or buy it). But, what I can't get my head around is the fact that the cheap China **** costs as much as the good USA stuff! Need an example? Take a stroll through the tool aisle in HD. Channellock vs Husky. And people will pay $$$$ for **** made in China!!!!

Just imagine the profit margin on the china ****! Especially when it costs as much as decent USA stuff. It just bothers me, that is all.... If yopu are gonna buy ****, it should AT LEAST cost significantly less!!!!!

 

[wythors]

Say hallelujah! Amen brother! Preach on!



Now I need to go downstairs and lay hands on my tools.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Okay, I think that I've come to grips with the fact that a lot of stuff is from China nowadays. Doesn't mean I have to like it (or buy it). But, what I can't get my head around is the fact that the cheap China **** costs as much as the good USA stuff! Need an example? Take a stroll through the tool aisle in HD. Channellock vs Husky. And people will pay $$$$ for **** made in China!!!!

Just imagine the profit margin on the china ****! Especially when it costs as much as decent USA stuff. It just bothers me, that is all.... If yopu are gonna buy ****, it should AT LEAST cost significantly less!!!!!

He be readin them from the book! Or as I like to say " He's havin a come to Jesus meetin"

 

[danski0224]

How do you think these stores are posting their profits?

The average Chinese faucet that retails at $190.00 has a wholesale of $40.00...

I wanted to buy a new Fluke meter that sells for $250.00. I didn't have a problem with that until I saw the "Made in China" on the box. I didn't buy it, and I sent Fluke an email explaining why.

If people stop buying it, the stores will stop selling it...

 

[MarkH]

Welcome to the USA home of uneducated consumers.

Surprisingly when I have traveled around the world and from those who visit us from abroad, one of the things they want is to buy MADE IN THE USA. There is usually a quality edge and the cost of equal quality made elsewhere is not cheap enough unless there is an exchange rate break to want items made else where.

This is one of the influences that makes me lean to made in the USA. The countries that make it want MADE in the USA instead. Something to think about.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

I saw something on the news about a women that stopped buying products made in china. She did it for a year , they where taking about how hard it kinda was, and how most electronics use parts from china.

Kinda crazy how fast they are growing, and how we feed a economy that hates us.

 

[Phatsub]

Interesting read on this topic.

http://www.who-*****.com/business/made-in-china-2007-danger-timeline

 

[wilbilt]

Okay, I think that I've come to grips with the fact that a lot of stuff is from China nowadays. Doesn't mean I have to like it (or buy it). But, what I can't get my head around is the fact that the cheap China **** costs as much as the good USA stuff! Need an example? Take a stroll through the tool aisle in HD. Channellock vs Husky. And people will pay $$$$ for **** made in China!!!!

Just imagine the profit margin on the china ****! Especially when it costs as much as decent USA stuff. It just bothers me, that is all.... If yopu are gonna buy ****, it should AT LEAST cost significantly less!!!!!

Hence the entire reason manufacturers outsource to China. It costs less to make, but it still sells for the same price. It is difficult to point a finger when the Chinese, the manufacturers and the clueless American public are all at fault. Boycott Chinese products? Sure...I can do that...but how long can you last?
...or your friends...neighbors...etc.

 

[jerryW]

Economics needs to be taught in schools again.

Most people just do not understand what makes te economy run. If Walmart went out of business china would probably go bankrupt!

jerry

 

[kartracer55]

WIERD. I was in Homedepot today and actually came online to post my observations on my channellock cutters! I also got an empire dial angle gauge deal I have been looking for. Then I got a reciept which wanted me to fill out a survey, so I filled it out and my complaint was an understocked tool department which did not carry complete lines of hand tools (IE no channel lock needle nose) and lacked USA made products.

HD generally sells **** anyway

Jim

 

[Uncle Buck]

WIERD. I was in Homedepot today and actually came online to post my observations on my channellock cutters! I also got an empire dial angle gauge deal I have been looking for. Then I got a reciept which wanted me to fill out a survey, so I filled it out and my complaint was an understocked tool department which did not carry complete lines of hand tools (IE no channel lock needle nose) and lacked USA made products.

HD generally sells **** anyway

Jim

You slobbered a bibfull there jr!

 

[kartracer55]

You slobbered a bibfull there jr!

lol what????

 

[reversegear]

eschoendorff, what were the tools/sets you saw in HD that were the same price? I'm guessing just wrenches?

 

[kartracer55]

eschoendorff, what were the tools/sets you saw in HD that were the same price? I'm guessing just wrenches?

I was there today and Noticed adjustable wrenches, Pliers, etc. The funniest thing I saw was 57$ for a campbell Hausfelt die grinder. SKU's matched but Im guessing it was a typo... at least I hope lol

 

[wilbilt]

I got a reciept which wanted me to fill out a survey, so I filled it out and my complaint was an understocked tool department which did not carry complete lines of hand tools (IE no channel lock needle nose) and lacked USA made products.

I've done a few of those surveys, too. I always throw in the "lack of USA products" comment.

I wonder if anyone actually reads them.

 

[ImportTuner]

I bought a Husky knipper, took it home, saw the plating peeling, and returned it for a set made by Channellock ... didn't see the made in China initially because it was on the back side where the cardboard was ...

 

[MXtras]

We are doing this to ourselves, and the problem is here to stay.

Scott

 

[Uncle Buck]

You slobbered a bibfull there jr!

lol what????

An old redneck term meaning you hit the nail right on the head!

 

[-lecroix-]

We are doing this to ourselves ...

Truer words have not been spoken on this subject, sad as that is.

 

[ImportTuner]

It's not just tools; I have some Ginger bathroom accessories and I wanted to buy some additional ones. The original was made in the U.S. (about 2 years old) and the new one I purchased was made in China to Ginger specifications...

 

[wythors]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw01222006/coverstory.html

This story is very interesting to me. It says a LOT about what is happening to industry in this country.

 

[-lecroix-]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw01222006/coverstory.html

This story is very interesting to me. It says a LOT about what is happening to industry in this country.

I have 52 of his 6" x 6" copper topped post caps ... they ain't cheap, let me tell ya. My wife saw them on a friend of her's new fence and "just had to have them."

 

[MarkH]

On the Who ***** web site the vote is 3600 to 400 on concerns about safety issues on chinese problems.

I made my comments in a previous thread about explosing clamps my wife had bought for her photo business. After having one break and drive itself into the wall where customers normally sit, she is very happily using my slightly harder to sqeeze but safe Pony's now.

lets see the common name of the product in the toothpaste is anti-freeze, kinda wonder how that got there?

 

[-lecroix-]

To expand a bit on MarkH's post ...

China to begin Olympic food checks

By AUDRA ANG, Associated Press Writer Thu Jul 12, 3:13 PM ET

BEIJING - A system to monitor food safety will go into effect during test events for the 2008 Beijing Olympics next month, a government watchdog announced Thursday, even as a TV station aired an undercover investigation showing how shredded cardboard was used as a filling in steamed buns.

The discovery of the tainted buns highlights the country's perennial problems with food safety despite government efforts to improve the situation. Countless small, often illegally run operations exist across China and make money cutting corners using inexpensive ingredients or unsavory substitutes.

In the report aired Wednesday night, China Central Television showed a shirtless, shorts-clad bun maker in Beijing using cardboard picked up off the street to stuff his steamed buns.

A hidden camera followed the man into a ramshackle building where steamers were filled with the fluffy white buns, called baozi, traditionally stuffed with minced pork.

It showed how cardboard was first soaked to a pulp in a plastic basin of caustic soda — a chemical base commonly used in manufacturing paper and soap — then chopped into tiny morsels with a cleaver. Fatty pork and powdered seasoning were stirred in as flavoring and the concoction was stuffed into the buns.

"It fools the average person," says the bun maker, whose face was not shown. "I don't eat them myself."

Confidence in the safety of Chinese exports has severely waned internationally, as the list of products found tainted with dangerous levels of toxins and chemicals grows longer by the day.

China has taken significant steps to try to clean up its dubious product safety record in recent days, including executing the former head of its drug regulation agency for taking bribes and banning the use of a chemical found in antifreeze in the production of toothpaste.

Complete AP story here.

 

[Rickster]

Is there a difference between buying Chinese products and buying a Toyota with respect to what the end result does to the American worker?

 

[MarkH]

I can understand the statement about the drug regulation agency. The wealthy I know in Asia ask either my wife or I to bring drugs of all sorts with us when we visit. They stated what they got there was usually so bad it did not work. USA made was preferred, followed by German, English, and Japanese. The drugs did what they were supposed to.

A huge premium was usually offered for ******, ******, heart and diabetes medications.

 

[-lecroix-]

Is there a difference between buying Chinese products and buying a Toyota with respect to what the end result does to the American worker?

Absolutely there is a difference. The Toyota-employed American receives a paycheck and benefits for his labor, not to mention the revenue that is generated from the Tier 1, 2 & 3 supply sources for these Asian companies. This money is in turn put back into the American economy.

Chinese produced goods gain us absolutely ZILCH when it comes to the helping American economy. In fact, it does quite the opposite ... it TAKES money OUT of the American economy.

Let's get back to this Toyota thing ...

In case you haven't noticed, Toyota is BUILDING new plants "left and right" here in the U.S. (Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi) ... meanwhile GM, FORD, CHRYSLER are shuttering plants and/or sending more U.S. jobs OUT of the country. Which means what? Toyota is EMPLOYING Americans. The Big Three are UNEMPLOYING Americans.

I live in North Alabama and Delphi (thinly disguised GM plant) announced this past month that it was closing a local plant that employed approx. 3,000 workers as well as a plant in Tuscaloosa. Why? Three letters. Starts with a "U" ... ends with "W" ...

Toyota, Honda, Mercedes Benz, and Hyundai all have plants here in Alabama. They are going full tilt ... employees are making union wage ... funny thing is, there is no union in these plants.

The state is growing by leaps and bounds. Now I can't say that it's just the new automotive plants that have caused this ... but I can definitely say that this "spurt" in growth didn't take place UNTIL the automotive plants came to our state.

Ok ok ok, back to Toyota again ... Toyota is now in NA$CAR much to most redneck's displeasure (or not, seeing how they really haven't done so well) ... anywhoo, let's take a closer look at this.

GM campaigns the Monte Carlo\Impala ... where are they built? Canada

Ford campaigns the Fusion ... where is it built? Mexico

Toyota campaigns the Camry ... where is it built? Kentucky

No offene to our Canadian and Mexican friends, but you tell me which of the above 3 is more beneficial to the American worker.

 

[HOTFR8]

You would be surprised just what is made in China.
I have just returned from there recently.

If you name it I am sure it is made in China. ( or copied ).

The quality is improving and the problem is they ( in China ) have no wages like us ( in the USA or Australia ) and they work for so low pay so product are a lot cheaper.

Now how about this - I purchased a part for a Hot Rod recently from a well known US Hot Rod company ( I will not name names OK ) and I had to get it from the US so can you imagine how I felt when I found out it was made in China. Oh I can tell you the quality was the best bet I felt I was ripped off as I know if I could buy it in China it would have been about 1/8 the price.

 

[reversegear]

Absolutely there is a difference.

Not to pile on too much here, but Japan is a U.S. military ally, while China is developing battle plans to neutralize the U.S. Pacific fleet so they can invade Taiwan. A stronger Japan means a stronger Asian defense for America. A stronger China means more guns aimed at our troops.

 

[ImportTuner]

Not to pile on too much here, but Japan is a U.S. military ally, while China is developing battle plans to neutralize the U.S. Pacific fleet so they can invade Taiwan. A stronger Japan means a stronger Asian defense for America. A stronger China means more guns aimed at our troops.

I don't think China is interested in fighting with the U.S.; as for arming Japan, are you forgetting about Pearl Harbor .. if China wants to take on the U.S., it would be economical, not warfare ..

 

[-lecroix-]

... as for arming Japan, are you forgetting about Pearl Harbor ..

No one has forgotten Pearl Harbor ... ESPECIALLY the Japanese ... two words: Nagasaki & Hiroshima. They know all to well what happens when "you awaken a sleeping giant."

As far as China conducting warfare against the U.S. ... they ALREADY are. Go pick up this book. It was written by Chinese officers in the Peoples Army. You may be very surprised at what China considers "warfare."

Unrestricted Warfare:China's Master Plan to Destroy America

 

[Major Ramifications]

I just ordered a set of four American Racing rims for my truck. When they came, I was crushed to see that three of them were made in china. I paid more for the AR's, thinking that they were made here. I knew I could have gotten Ion Alloy rims for less, but after some research, I found out that they were made in "asia".
It is very disheartening when a fine American brand like American Racing, which has been around longer than me, thinks it makes sense to move production to china.

Also, since we are talking about the ****, I will NEVER buy a japanese brand car. I don't care if it was assembled by Bill-Bob "Bubba" Bodine in Tenessee, all of the profit still goes to japan.

 

[-lecroix-]

Also, since we are talking about the ****, I will NEVER buy a japanese brand car. I don't care if it was assembled by Bill-Bob "Bubba" Bodine in Tenessee, all of the profit still goes to japan.

Basic Economics 101 would explain this, but I take it you didn't take Economics 101.

Here goes: Why shouldn't profits go to Japan? If I owned the company, I would expect the profits to go to ME. It's called FREE ENTERPRISE and the U.S. economy is built on it. And, what exactly are they using to pay the employees, the utilities, the suppliers and all of the other costs associated with running a business? Monopoly money?

Now, let me ask you a question ... When was the last time you received a Profit Sharing check from one of the Big 3?

 

[goodfellow]

It's not only Economics 101, it's also Finance 101. The Chinese manipulate their currency and have refused to let the Renminbi (aka RMB or People's Currency) "float" on the international currency market. If it were to float, the value of the yuan (their RMB currency unit) would sharply increase; the result of which would curtail China's ultra low cost manufacturing capabilty.

The US has been pushing -- just last month the Chinese trade delegation was in DC but again refused to address the issue.

 

[kythri]

goodfellow: Your note on the Chinese manipulation of their currency is the exact reason why the United States (and all other trade partners of China) need to immediately close their borders to the import of Chinese goods.

I shudder to think of the impact to the United States automobile market when China decides to produce a car and attempt to sell it here - the unfair advantage that Chinese goods have due to that manipulation is astronomical.

 

[HOTFR8]

It is very disheartening when a fine American brand like American Racing, which has been around longer than me, thinks it makes sense to move production to china.

Is it ??? Well if you are in business and it costs you $50-00 to make a wheel and you find that you can have it made in China for $10-00 and then still have it freighted to the US and sell it for the same price of say $200-00 a wheel would you not consider the profits if the quality is as good as what you could make in the US anf you saved money and yet you make more profit.

Sorry it is all about profits for most companies and that is why you will find many firms are now taking manufacturing off shore.

Many well known companies in Australia have gone the same way and have it made in China. as they save money from local manufacturing costs as well as red tape with government authorities wages unions etc. many workers in Aust and the US have become greedy so the poor Chinese worker gains. Or do they ? Most Chinese workers work long hours for little pay and most work seven days a week. If they leave the job another worker will take their place. This is what is happening and I have seen it first hand.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

It's not only Economics 101, it's also Finance 101. The Chinese manipulate their currency and have refused to let the Renminbi (aka RMB or People's Currency) "float" on the international currency market. If it were to float, the value of the yuan (their RMB currency unit) would sharply increase; the result of which would curtail China's ultra low cost manufacturing capabilty.

The US has been pushing -- just last month the Chinese trade delegation was in DC but again refused to address the issue.

+1

Right on the money. Most people don't know about that aspect.

-BWP

 

[HOTFR8]

I shudder to think of the impact to the United States automobile market when China decides to produce a car and attempt to sell it here - the unfair advantage that Chinese goods have due to that manipulation is astronomical.

China produce many cars now. ROEWE is on that is a copy of a former British car that the company went broke. The Chinese wanted to buy them but when that failed they made there own copy.

All the major cars are built in China Buick, ( I spent a lot of time in a small Buick SRV Sail recently in China ) GM / Chevrolet, VW ( All taxis in China are VW Santanas ), as well as Ford, Hyundai ( Korean owned by GM ), Mazda and Toyota. General Motors Holden ( Aust ) sell the local Commodore into China as a Chevrolet Lumina. You have seen the two door version in the US as a Pontaic Trans Am.

it will not be long till we see Chinese Cars on the world market after all all the major players have been selling into China for years. We now see in Australia cars from places like India called the TATA we also have imports here from Ford ( Mazda ) made in Thailand. So as some stage we will see Chinese cars on the world market.

If like me you see the Chinese factories then you will not be surprised to see parts from these factories going to BMW , Audi and Mercedes.

 

[HOTFR8]

Just did a conversion of the Aussie Dollar to Chinese.

Live rates at 2007.07.14 00:58:33 UTC
100.00 AUD = 657.660 CNY
Australia Dollars China Yuan Renminbi
1 AUD = 6.57660 CNY 1 CNY = 0.152054 AUD

Interesting. Money sure goes a lot further.
Used this web site http://www.xe.com/
One of my last meals in China was Kentucky Fried Chicken cost me about
$3-00 Aust dollars for the usual small meal.

Oh yeah on another Note: HOOTERS Shanghai was interesting to see.

 

[-lecroix-]

It's not only Economics 101, it's also Finance 101. The Chinese manipulate their currency ...

go back and re-read my last post. i was discussing Japanese owned companies manufacturing goods in the U.S. that are to be sold in the U.S.

Nothing is mentioned of China ... wanna know why? Cause Chinese owned companies do NOT manufacture in the U.S.

I totally agree with the notion that China is unfair in its business dealings with the U.S. No disagreement from me on that.

But I do disagree that comparing Japanese companies with Chinese companies is the same.