learned something new yesterday - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kuan · #61 06-05-2011, 07:15 AM

There are a some good things that come out of China. Kenny Hill New World Guitars are made in China. Right around $2k. Eastman Guitars are phenomenal instruments where workers still carve the tops by hand. (how else?)

Then there is Red Rose Music which produces really nice stuff I must say.

Tsingtao beer still tastes like crap cat piss though.

aklim · #62 06-05-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

I think that Americans are basically asleep, and have illusions as to their continuing superiority- why?- because everything has been so easy for them in the last 50-60 yrs.

Do I want to see America fall?- No.

Will they fall if they do not come out of the dreamstate they appear to be in? - Most probably.

Problem is it is easier to continue than to move on. People were rich and they get ideas that a tweak here, a push there and life is good. Nobody wants the harsh reality that is the world. IT is the harsh reality that makes us better. Think of a herd of animals who don't have a predator. Compare that with a group in nature that has the predator remove the weaker species. As they say, the chain is only as strong as the weakest link. IF you wont' remove the weak link or let it fall off, you weaken the chain.

Mistress · #63 06-05-2011, 10:17 AM

if for just one day we boycotted crap made in China, would it make a difference in the way American businesses operate?

aklim · #64 06-05-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

if for just one day we boycotted crap made in China, would it make a difference in the way American businesses operate?

Absolutely. Much like how OPEC winces whenever we have our "Gas Out" day where we boycott all gas stations or even one specific company.

chilcutt · #65 06-05-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

if for just one day we boycotted crap made in China, would it make a difference in the way American businesses operate?

Meaning? could you be a little more specific please?

(I believe I am detecting some inuendo's...but I may be wrong)

Mistress · #66 06-05-2011, 10:35 AM

I don't know how much more specific I could be.

aklim · #67 06-05-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

I don't know how much more specific I could be.

CHINA OUT DAY kinda like GAS OUT DAY

Mistress · #68 06-05-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

CHINA OUT DAY kinda like GAS OUT DAY

Thanks for reading my mind, being a right brainer (totally visual) can be such a burden.

Crazy_Nate · #69 06-05-2011, 10:43 AM

Quality is subjective, typically to be defined by the end user. Most end users want the cheapest crap possible. That's exactly what they end up getting.

Sure, any country can produce a part to specification with its engineering drawing. Some countries might even impose more control, such that parts are consistent and not all riding at the upper limits of the tolerances. The trouble is, whether or not a part is spot-on nominal values does NOT determine whether it is a quality part.

If the end user wants a part that has better than average margins (of safety), lasts longer and uses superior materials - it ABSOLUTELY needs to be defined as such during the product's engineering. Trouble is...most people don't know any better (just thinking about immediate $$, not future $$), and the product ends up engineered with a shorter lifetime one might hope for... It's often just a replace, don't fix scheme than coincides with the poor "throw away" mentality in this country.

Mistress · #70 06-05-2011, 10:49 AM

Nate- I agree 100%. Unfortunately, I am in the age bracket where things were built to last and that's what I am having a problem with. You paid top dollar and brought it right the first time.

Crazy_Nate · #71 06-05-2011, 10:52 AM

Nowadays...it's even more difficult.

You can pay extra for perceived quality and not get it. Wonderful, isn't it?

Kuan · #72 06-05-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

Nate- I agree 100%. Unfortunately, I am in the age bracket where things were built to last and that's what I am having a problem with. You paid top dollar and brought it right the first time.

Me too. Everything I buy I want to last until I die.

Crazy_Nate · #73 06-05-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

Me too. Everything I buy I want to last until I die.

I'm young, but maybe I have some more classic perspective - most of my purchases are done with the mindset that it is an investment

It's kinda like how I view Christmas gifts. I'd much rather give something that is useful and will last, rather than lots of semi-useless trinkets that get forgotten after a couple of weeks (and later just thrown out). Christmas at my family's is often very quirky and atypical. I was quite happy last year when my mother got me a vintage Wagner cast iron skillet

ah-kay · #74 06-05-2011, 11:44 AM

Nothing last forever. May be a $700 military toilet seat will. Quality and price is a trade off, it was and always will. I am not saying we need to buy cheap junk, I am just saying you pay what you are comfortable with and it meets your expectation for longevity.

If you build it to last then you will price yourself out of the market.

raymr · #75 06-05-2011, 12:05 PM

I just put Centric brand brake rotors on my car. I suspect they are made in China, but I couldn't find the country of origin on the packaging. Does anyone know? They seem to be of pretty decent quality, ie no run-out.