On 2017-09-23 08:20, jbeattie wrote:
On Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 7:57:21 AM UTC-7, Joerg wrote:
On 2017-09-23 06:49, wrote:
On Friday, September 22, 2017 at 4:20:09 PM UTC-7, Joerg wrote:
On 2017-09-22 14:24, sms wrote:

[...]

Of course other countries could reciprocally abuse it, but
there aren't many companies manufacturing low-value consumer
goods and shipping them to Chinese consumers.


It is not all about low value merchandise. To give you just one
example: A guy like me wants to build some electronics for his
bicycles and then find out "Oh rats, I am out of those buck
switcher ICs". The guy is not in a hurry because it's just
hobby stuff. He looks at a domestic source and finds out that
the $0.50 parts are available but there will be hefty shipping
fees. Then he fires up EBay, Alibaba or whatever and .. voila
.. the same regulator ICs for roughly the same $0.50 but ..
free shipping. Then he needs a new light. $20. Plus another
$12.95 shipping. WHAT?! Goes on EBay or Amazon - finds Chinese
vendor - $20 and free shipping - ka-ching.

A few days ago while painting I realized that I need brushes
that I can cut and add an angle bracket to but where the tip is
short. Not available locally, web dealers wanted too much in
shipping. Found them in Hong Kong for less than $1.50 a pop and
free shipping. So I ordered - ka-ching. This is not good for
domestic painting suppliers.

Multiply this by a gazillion cases and we have a problem.

All you have to do is go through eBay now and you can find the
plastic cable ends sold 10 to a pack for $1.50 being sold from
China with free shipping. The wrapping on a package cost more
than that.

I have stopped buying parts from China.


Why? When you go to the local store and buy for 5x the price you
get ... a part from China. Just heavily marked up along the
distribution chain.

Because you have an interest in the continued existence of a bricks
and mortar stores. Support American business. Isn't that what the
whole conservative thing is about?


That is why I buy big stuff here, such as my mountain bike. _If_ the
quality is good. I could have saved a few hundred but the LBS needs to
live. With cars we bought Japanese because domestically the quality just
was not there.


... Or is it about being an AINO? Do
you hate American, your adopted homeland? Do you love China . . .


Nope. However, I draw the line when, for example, mediocre made-in-China
brake pads that last 500mi are sold here for $17/pair and I can get much
better quality brake pads directly from China for $2/pair and they last
800mi. I simply refuse to be taken to the cleaners by middlemen.


NORTH KOREA?


Certainly not. Plus they do not produce anything of any value that is
sold here or to here. Even if they did I wouldn't buy. With China you
mostly don't have a choice. Go to your LBS and look at the fine print on
the cartons.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/