Dreams are not quite free, but maybe opportunities can come along?

[Edbear]

I know everyone's importing from China these days with varying degrees of success and quality. I've been offered the opportunity to be a dealer for a company, and thought I'd explore what may be involved.

Along with all the usual stuff, generators, pumps, mowers chainsaws, tillers and the usual range of bikes they do have some interesting bits and pieces that may be worth investigating for niche marketing, small volumes, not competing with the main players.

I've downloaded a few pics and thought I'd risk laughter and ridicule to see what you all think?

[jim.cox]

what you all think?

Sorry Ed, but I would not be spending any of my hard-earned dollars on any of them

[White trash]

Firstly, stay away from anything that needs to be road registered (especially Mopeds) as the laws have recently changed with the express reason of stopping them getting on the road.

[pete376403]

I recall Mitre10 having an issue with chinese built trailers - axles breaking and loosing wheels.

[Edbear]

Yeah, the biggest concern is getting the quality required and I thought I'd have a chat to a local importer to see how he's fared. I thought particularly the small tractors and lifestyle block equipment might be worth looking at. I'd manily be interested in off-road stuff for farms or such-like.

Some cute stuff there though!

[cheshirecat]

Yeah, the biggest concern is getting the quality

Some cute stuff there though!
Have you considered going for top quality stuff - ie the long term plan

[Edbear]

Have you considered going for top quality stuff - ie the long term plan

Yep! I've got a rep for supplying quality and don't want to jeopardise that rep, so I'm asking them the questions about their company.

[Katman]

The Chinese must be pissing themselves laughing at us lapping up their cheap and nasty shit.

[scumdog]

The Chinese must be pissing themselves laughing at us lapping up their cheap and nasty shit.

My MSSA weapons haven't let me down yet.<_<

[Edbear]

The Chinese must be pissing themselves laughing at us lapping up their cheap and nasty shit.

They've had a pretty good run up to now, but there is a growing backlash as consumers demand better quality and I've asked some pointed questions of the company representative about the need for good quality over price. I have proved that selling high quality at the best price I can get is no barrier if you pick your market. I don't intend to ever compete with Bunnings, Warehouse or Mitre10 Mega. So if this company wants me to sell their stuff, I'm going to have to be confident it will stand the test.

[FJRider]

... but there is a growing backlash as consumers demand better quality...

but they dont want to pay for it ... Most want a Mercedes ... at Toyota pricing ...

[Edbear]

My MSSA weapons haven't let me down yet.<_<

It depends on what you're after in the end. If you want quality you can get it, but of course you can't get Warehouse or $2 Shop cheap and expect it to last. Some of the very high end stuff I sell is manufactured in China to very high standards and is as good as anywhere in the world.

[Edbear]

but they dont want to pay for it ... Most want a Mercedes ... at Toyota pricing ...

And therein lies the issue. Many foolishly thought they were getting the Merc for the price and complained bitterly when it turned out to be a Trabant! "Why didn't it perform like the Merc?" they yell loudly to all, and demand a refund! :facepalm:

[FJRider]

And therein lies the issue ....

Thus ... the issue is not build quality ... it's human nature ...

[Katman]

New Zealand's new dogma appears to be "Wow, look how cheap it is - it must be good value for money".

[Edbear]

New Zealand's new dogma appears to be "Wow, look how cheap it is - it must be good value for money".

It used to be the Scots who refused to accept quality must cost more than $1, now it's everybody... :blink:


Thus ... the issue is not build quality ... it's human nature ...

Yup! The growing demand for cheaper products and the higher production costs, have caused manufacturers everywhere to look for cheaper ways of producing their goods, so in some ways it has been beneficial. The influx of Jap import cars, although causing real headaches and tears, forced manufacturers to offer better specced vehicles. It stuffed the local car industry and China's growth has stuffed local manufacturing of many things, but we are living better than we ever have despite that and entrepreneurs are finding ways to make money in a global village.

"Neccessity is the Mother of invention" and when we're pushed into a corner we can either squeal and cry, or put our thinking caps on and work out how to adjust and adapt. Being small, NZ and NZ businesses can change much more quickly than the big multi-nationals.

[FJRider]

New Zealand's new dogma appears to be "Wow, look how cheap it is - it must be good value for money".

I thought it was "Wow ... look how cheap it is -must be something wrong with it "

[Edbear]

I thought it was "Wow ... look how cheap it is -must be something wrong with it "

No, that's what intelligent people think... :innocent:

[FJRider]

No, that's what intelligent people think... :innocent:

Thank god ... I'm intelligent ... YAY ... !!!!

[Edbear]

Thank god ... I'm intelligent ... YAY ... !!!!

LOL!!! Don't tell too many people, you can have a lot of fun if others don't know you're intelligent... :innocent:

[FJRider]

LOL!!! Don't tell too many people, you can have a lot of fun if others don't know you're intelligent... :innocent:

It's ok ... it doesn't show ... :facepalm:

[warewolf]

New Zealand's new dogma appears to be "Wow, look how cheap it is - <del>it must be good value for money</del>".Fixed.

The "value" proposition is almost never raised by people who purchase at the lowest price. Sometimes durability is, but almost never quality or features. The exception is when people intentionally use the cheapie as a short-term prototype or very light use item.

[Ronin]

Yep! I've got a rep for supplying quality and don't want to jeopardise that rep, so I'm asking them the questions about their company.

If you have a reputation for quality then stay away Ed. Look at the problems the big players have.

[Zamiam]

If you can source product of a reasonable quality for the lifestyle block who doesn't need commercial quality at a reasonable price you should be on to a winner.

The quad looks naff but with those tyres not much cop on the grass as for the jeep thingy and atv 4 seater dependent on price would have thought there would be a market for them.

And yes I have a lifestyle block

[scumdog]

If you have a reputation for quality then stay away Ed. Look at the problems the big players have.

A mate in Texas nearly had his business go down the gurgler when the way-cheaper Chinese product flooded the market.

THEN the business's who bought the cheap product nearly went down the gurgler when the product failed.

Now my mates business is booming as the aforementioned business's clamour for quality.:yes:

[Edbear]

If you can source product of a reasonable quality for the lifestyle block who doesn't need commercial quality at a reasonable price you should be on to a winner.

The quad looks naff but with those tyres not much cop on the grass as for the jeep thingy and atv 4 seater dependent on price would have thought there would be a market for them.

And yes I have a lifestyle block

I was thinking if you guys could give me an idea of what you'd like, I could see if I could get it at a decent price. I'm not greedy, and thought that the wee tractor or a smaller quad for carting stuff around. Off-road bikes and pit bikes tend to get thrashed, so I'm not looking to that market. There are plenty of good quality second-hand Jappas around for those who want trail/dirt/MX bikes, so pottering around the farm of lifestyle block, as long as the quality was good enough is where I was aiming.

[Ronin]

I'm sure I have seen one of those quads at a dealer here. Might see if I can have a look.

[Edbear]

A mate in Texas nearly had his business go down the gurgler when the way-cheaper Chinese product flooded the market.

THEN the business's who bought the cheap product nearly went down the gurgler when the product failed.

Now my mates business is booming as the aforementioned business's clamour for quality.:yes:

That's what I'm finding and companies like Sulco have also realised that. So I intend to only stock and sell products I can be confident in.


If you have a reputation for quality then stay away Ed. Look at the problems the big players have.

Yeah, I agree, but as I said above, you can get quality, but whether this company is one of the good one's remains to be seen. I checked out those Warehouse bikes and was gobsmacked at how fragile they were and couldn't believe anyone would actually buy them!

[Edbear]

I'm sure I have seen one of those quads at a dealer here. Might see if I can have a look.

There are many that look identical from several different manufacturers which makes it more difficult to say a bike or quad is okay or not. Take a note of the manufacturer and let me know. I'd be interested as I haven't heard about this particular company before.

[Edbear]

There are a couple of sensible vehicles in their range. I'll check out the regs re: registering for the road, but only for a couple of models I think are worth it, like the Supercub which is a popular classic, and this smaller electric scooter which would be great for holiday parks or a shop scooter or for a lifestyle block to go and get the mail down a really long driveway...

[Ronin]

There are many that look identical from several different manufacturers which makes it more difficult to say a bike or quad is okay or not. Take a note of the manufacturer and let me know. I'd be interested as I haven't heard about this particular company before.

I'll have a look. Oh, and please don't think I'm being negative for the sake of it. I worked at The Warehouse for 14 years. I have seen the best that they get out of china and it is seldom worth it.

[Edbear]

I'll have a look. Oh, and please don't think I'm being negative for the sake of it. I worked at The Warehouse for 14 years. I have seen the best that they get out of china and it is seldom worth it.

Yeah, I'll be interested to see their reply to my last email. I know that there is a lot of junk out there and if I was wanting to supply markets requiring durabililty I'd probably steer people towards the mainstream manufacturers and name brands. I'm thinking of light duty and specific products such as some of the pics I've posted.

[FJRider]

There are a couple of sensible vehicles in their range. I'll check out the regs re: registering for the road, but only for a couple of models I think are worth it, like the Supercub which is a popular classic, and this smaller electric scooter which would be great for holiday parks or a shop scooter or for a lifestyle block to go and get the mail down a really long driveway...

Great ... but how available are spare parts for them ... ???

[Edbear]

Great ... but how available are spare parts for them ... ???

Spare parts are almost generic these days aren't they? Of course I'd ensure I could support the products. I jsut got this back from their marketing manager, excuse the Chinese-English...

We have more than 20 years experience in making all kinds of motorcycle and machinery,
We have ISO9002 quality certificate, pls find in my attached files.

In the past, We have exported our products to many countries like Romania, Norway,
Denmark, Estonia, UK etc european country, as well to Argentina, Ecuador etc South america , and Russia, Middle East and some africa counries .

We have international standards european approval EEC for many models,
This year the Electric scooters and off-road motorcycles are deeply welcome in many countries,
We expect to have a long term cooperation with us, pls tell us if you have any question .

[xen]

I wouldn't trust their certificates, you can use agents (eg http://www.bizinchina.cc/)over there to check out the business history and then do quality checks before you send them final payment.

Obviously they can make good stuff as most things are made in China now, but a lot of $ has to be spent on getting the high quality materials, processes and QC down. Something the big firms can do but as a small player you're at their mercy which isn't a great place to be. I'd expect at least a few parts to fail on those machines, tricky thing is you won't know what will break until you (or your customers) do some hard testing and then it may change from batch to batch. The simpler it is the better, less moving parts to go wrong ! lol

[cheshirecat]

I believe a top Japanese trade diplomat summed up the primary difference between Japanese and Chinese philosophy as an interpretation of quality. The Chinese def is not the same as ours (as in western) either. They will say yes as a matter of cultural interpretation. To negate directly is to loose face, especially early in negotiations. Early in Chinese terms is a matter of generations not hours. They will think in terms of a thousand years to put a plan into place.

[Edbear]

I wouldn't trust their certificates, you can use agents (eg http://www.bizinchina.cc/)over there to check out the business history and then do quality checks before you send them final payment.

Obviously they can make good stuff as most things are made in China now, but a lot of $ has to be spent on getting the high quality materials, processes and QC down. Something the big firms can do but as a small player you're at their mercy which isn't a great place to be. I'd expect at least a few parts to fail on those machines, tricky thing is you won't know what will break until you (or your customers) do some hard testing and then it may change from batch to batch. The simpler it is the better, less moving parts to go wrong ! lol

Yeah, I was going to talk to a couple of people I know who have been importing for a while now to see how they're getting on.


I believe a top Japanese trade diplomat summed up the primary difference between Japanese and Chinese philosophy as an interpretation of quality. The Chinese def is not the same as ours (as in western) either. They will say yes as a matter of cultural interpretation. To negate directly is to loose face, especially early in negotiations. Early in Chinese terms is a matter of generations not hours. They will think in terms of a thousand years to put a plan into place.

Interesting point, of course they aren't going to say their stuff is poor quality... If I do decide to take it further, it may be advantageous to talk in longer terms.

[Edbear]

Got some prices today. May or may not be competitive, but here's a ball-park on some of the stuff.

The Supercub 50 I should sell for $1095.00, possibly even just under the grand. That's the Honda Cub step-thru copy.

The small tractor, VT110TL for about $1500.00. The little trailer for $190.00.

The Electric scooter for $1800.00.

The VL400UTV for about $5695.00. The red one in my last pics.

The ATV trailer for about $900.00. It actually looks quite solid.

Final pricing will depend on import charges and shipping but shouldn't be too far off these if at all.

[Edbear]

This one I thought quite useful, could hang it off the back of your motorhome as well.

Price about $1695.00.

[Zamiam]

There are a couple of sensible vehicles in their range. I'll check out the regs re: registering for the road, but only for a couple of models I think are worth it, like the Supercub which is a popular classic, and this smaller electric scooter which would be great for holiday parks or a shop scooter or for a lifestyle block to go and get the mail down a really long driveway...

$5700 for the red one isn't too bad. Needs to be able to tow small trailer, quad accessories (e.g. fert spreader, harrows) and at that price it competes with reasonable second hand quads but is much more usable. Another thing worth considering is equipment for lifestyle blocks - e.g. mowers, trailers, fert spreaders etc.

[Laava]

but they dont want to pay for it ... Most want a Mercedes ... at Toyota pricing ...

Or better. Ssssssssssangyong

[Edbear]

$5700 for the red one isn't too bad. Needs to be able to tow small trailer, quad accessories (e.g. fert spreader, harrows) and at that price it competes with reasonable second hand quads but is much more usable. Another thing worth considering is equipment for lifestyle blocks - e.g. mowers, trailers, fert spreaders etc.

Yeah, there are a lot of importers though, so I'll be competing on price with the bigger gyus, although it seems I may have an advantage there, too. The company doesn't seem to have a lot of attachments, but does have the usual range of mowers, trimmers, etc. I did think the tillers were interesting, I'll post a few pics of the equipment they have.

[jim.cox]

The company doesn't seem to have a lot of attachments, but does have the usual range of mowers, trimmers, etc. I did think the tillers were interesting, I'll post a few pics of the equipment they have.

From my experience, the one thing most small block holders can really use is a small tractor with a mower. A back blade is handy for maintaining driveways. A loader and a tiller are also useful. I think you might find a good market for reasonably priced, light to medium duty examples....

[Edbear]

From my experience, the one thing most small block holders can really use is a small tractor with a mower. A back blade is handy for maintaining driveways. A loader and a tiller are also useful. I think you might find a good market for reasonably priced, light to medium duty examples....

Exactly my thoughts too. Toaster recently bought a small tractor-mower for his property and it cost way more than $6k. For this application I think they would be fine as the owner won't be using them like the local Council would. A big issue for block owners is simply carting stuff around and even on a real farm, there will be opportunity for something small and quick for smaller jobs, running errands etc.

[willytheekid]

:facepalm:

No ed...don't do it!

I personally make an effort NOT to buy anything! from china, not JUST because the products are cheap and poorly made.....but mostly because I don't support SLAVERY! and Environmental destruction in the name of profit.

Slavery:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/world/asia/15iht-china.4.6160781.html

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1635144,00.html

Pollution:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/world/asia/26china.html

http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/

China is slowly destroying the worlds economy with slave labour, AND the environment with pollution and waste products...and they just don't care!

Don't go near them Ed, support a local company or another country that makes good products and pays fair wages, without destroying the environment during the process.

To support China's products, is to support the manner in which they are made and ALL of there dodgy business practices.

Sorry Mate, you know I always respect your point of view, and always wish you the best....but you asked for Honest opinions...thats mine.

Screw China!

[Edbear]

:facepalm:

No ed...don't do it!

I personally make an effort NOT to buy anything! from china, not JUST because the products are cheap and poorly made.....but mostly because I don't support SLAVERY! and Environmental destruction in the name of profit.

Slavery:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/world/asia/15iht-china.4.6160781.html

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1635144,00.html

Pollution:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/world/asia/26china.html

http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/

China is slowly destroying the worlds economy with slave labour, AND the environment with pollution and waste products...and they just don't care!

Don't go near them Ed, support a local company or another country that makes good products and pays fair wages, without destroying the environment during the process.

To support China's products, is to support the manner in which they are made and ALL of there dodgy business practices.

Sorry Mate, you know I always respect your point of view, and always wish you the best....but you asked for Honest opinions...thats mine.

Screw China!

I appreciate your point of view, mate and ethical questions can be asked of most countries, including the US, Britain and Aus. NZ trades with many countries around the world that all have issues we don't like, including India, Pakistan, SA, Japan and Korea.

All third-world and developing countries have issues of low wage, slave wage and unsafe working conditions. Developed countries have issues of underhand business practices, protection, deceipt in misrepresenting research, fraud, kickbacks and even sabotage. The real issue is where do you draw the line and who do you choose to do business with?

I do, where possible, support NZ businesses and if I could source these products locally at a reasonable price I'd be happy! My main supplier is a near 100 year-old NZ company, but even the majority of their products now come from the US and China. You'd be hard pushed to find any company in NZ wholly using NZ made stock. For plumbing supplies, we do sell a lot of NZ manufactured cylinders, and they are the best in the world, but again, even for the name brands, most come from either Australia, Israel or the UK. Most solar panels are now made in China regardless of brand as is a large percentage of copper pipe and fittings.

Our Fermit lubricant/sealer for pipe-fitting is made in Germany by a 100+ year-old company there.

Most small motorcycles and scooters are now made in China, regardless of brand an more and more components are China sourced even for the likes of Harley. Honda makes nearly all its small engines in China along with Yamaha and probably all the manufacturers.

So you see the dilemma facing everyone? NZ just cannot compete in large volume manufacturing. Even Systema which makes all those plastic containers admits it would be cheaper to produce in China but they are managing to buck the system and keep production here, accepting a lower margin for the sake of being NZ Made. They deserve all the support they can get, but they are a rare story, now.

[willytheekid]

I appreciate your point of view, mate and ethical questions can be asked of most countries, including the US, Britain and Aus. NZ trades with many countries around the world that all have issues we don't like, including India, Pakistan, SA, Japan and Korea.

All third-world and developing countries have issues of low wage, slave wage and unsafe working conditions. Developed countries have issues of underhand business practices, protection, deceipt in misrepresenting research, fraud, kickbacks and even sabotage. The real issue is where do you draw the line and who do you choose to do business with?

So you see the dilemma facing everyone? NZ just cannot compete in large volume manufacturing. Even Systema which makes all those plastic containers admits it would be cheaper to produce in China but they are managing to buck the system and keep production here, accepting a lower margin for the sake of being NZ Made. They deserve all the support they can get, but they are a rare story, now.

A Great, well thought out reply as usual Ed :yes:

This Line sums the situation up nicely:

"The real issue is where do you draw the line and who do you choose to do business with?"

-My Line is clearly drawn...I would rather pay more for my products and ensure quality and fair trade (or as close to it as possible)...than to support the most corrupt, polluting, slave market on the planet.

But you raise an excellent argument....as usual!

All the Best Ed :drinknsin

[Edbear]

A Great, well thought out reply as usual Ed :yes:

This Line sums the situation up nicely:

"The real issue is where do you draw the line and who do you choose to do business with?"

-My Line is clearly drawn...I would rather pay more for my products and ensure quality and fair trade (or as close to it as possible)...than to support the most corrupt, polluting, slave market on the planet.

But you raise an excellent argument....as usual!

All the Best Ed :drinknsin

Thanks mate, I think too, the part I've put in bold sums up the issue well. When much of everything you buy has at least some connection with China, it becomes very blurred when you try to separate products out as to source of origin.

Certainly my target market is those who would pay a bit more for quality, hence selling Streamlight and Pelican torches and lights from the USA and Nanuk, (Canadian), cases. But every single dry powder fire extinguisher you buy, regardless of brand, is now made in China as are pretty much all smoke alarms.

Next time you're in a furniture shop and admiring a nice Oak dining suite, have a look underneath, it's probably made in China.

It's not an easy issue to sort out and I can't criticise anyone for their views. The ideal is simply unatainable in reality and like it or not, in future most consumer goods for bulk manufacture will be made in China. With manufacturers like Honda, Audi and Mercedes, Snap-On etc. now manufacturing in China it's only a matter of time...

[Indiana_Jones]

It's not an easy issue to sort out and I can't criticise anyone for their views. The ideal is simply unatainable in reality and like it or not, in future most consumer goods for bulk manufacture will be made in China. With manufacturers like Honda, Audi and Mercedes, Snap-On etc. now manufacturing in China it's only a matter of time...

Many companies have gone to China to simpley survive I guess.

It's not all bad though, my last Hornby loco was made in China and must say the quality was very good and very detailed. But the difference being is that they have crackers running the show and telling them what's good enough and what isn't.

I have no issue with buying Chinese made good as long as they're not made with slave labour and have western styled/managed qulaity control. Sadly one doesn't know this most of the time when buying though.

-Indy

[willytheekid]

It's not an easy issue to sort out and I can't criticise anyone for their views. The ideal is simply unatainable in reality and like it or not, in the future most consumer goods for bulk manufacture will be made in China.

Thanks Ed, your right as usual....Its not an easy issue to sort out.
And Yes, Most of the products now days have a connection to china (drives my betterhalf NUTS when she takes me shopping lol).
Guess Im just one of those moral driven dreamers, who wants to see everyone paid fairly, teated as equals and enjoying a clean green world...sigh

But as a great man once said

"We must become the change we want to see"

......Mahatma Gandhi :innocent:
....smart guy

Respectfully

WillyTheeKid

PS, Truly wish you all the best in your venture Ed, your a nice guy who deserves a great life and thriving business :niceone:

[Edbear]

Thanks Ed, your right as usual....Its not an easy issue to sort out.
And Yes, Most of the products now days have a connection to china (drives my betterhalf NUTS when she takes me shopping lol).
Guess Im just one of those moral driven dreamers, who wants to see everyone paid fairly, teated as equals and enjoying a clean green world...sigh

But as a great man once said

"We must become the change we want to see"

......Mahatma Gandhi :innocent:
....smart guy

Respectfully

WillyTheeKid

PS, Truly wish you all the best in your venture Ed, your a nice guy who deserves a great life and thriving business :niceone:

Can't argue with this, mate! We'd love to see fairness and justice, but we can only do what we can for those around us, I guess. It's like paying our taxes, we pay, the Government apportions it out as they see fit, we can't choose what we want to see our personal taxes go towards. Okay it's not quite the same, but as individuals we don't influence the way the majority function. For more and more products, it's a case of either do without or accept its origins.

I just bought thermals for the first time in about 30years, (gettin' older..:bye:), from Kathmandu. Guess where they're made?

[Headbanger]

regardless of brand an more and more components are China sourced even for the likes of Harley.


Harley Davidson being the odd one out, In that quality increased 8000% when production was moved to China.

That aside, Ed, but I wouldn't touch any of the products you pictured, My herpes is getting irritated just by looking at em, and that's never a good sign.

Not a good feeling either.

[Edbear]

Harley Davidson being the odd one out, In that quality increased 8000% when production was moved to China.

That aside, Ed, but I wouldn't touch any of the products you pictured, My herpes is getting irritated just by looking at em, and that's never a good sign.

Not a good feeling either.

LOL! Brings back bad memories? After everything that has gone on with Chinese imports I was very skeptical, esp. after a company like Sulco got badly burnt. I raised this issue with my contact there and all he could do was reassure me of their ability to meet EEC qualifications and the length of time they have been in business along with the usual facts of the different countries they export to.

So as I say, I can't criticise anyone for being anti-Chinese imports, but maybe as I am only targetting specific products for a specific market and wil only continue if I am satisfied with thequality and service, it may be worth exploring.

I'm doing some market research to see how much interest I might get in my target market.

[Katman]

There's a big difference between overseas companies who move their manufacturing to China and Chinese manufacturing companies.

One makes products to a strict quality control governed by the overseas head office and the other has no quality control.

[Edbear]

There's a big difference between overseas companies who move their manufacturing to China and Chinese manufacturing companies.

One makes products to a strict quality control governed by the overseas head office and the other has no quality control.

True, of course. The prospect is that as more Chinese companies export and realise they need to up their quality for a more discerning market, plus the sheer number of manufacturers competing for the market share, they will respond accordingly. This would lead to some local manufacturers going under as they lose to the better quality and better organised companies. Cheaply made products flooding into a low economic and proliferate market, ie: domestic China, won't work in the Western world. This will force better quality, better factories, higher standards and wages and therefore higher prices.

I watched a documentary on Audi's Chinese plants and it was very interesting. Everything was state of the art and quality control second to none. Then I watched recently a doco on local Chinese manufacturing and really it was a joke!

[Katman]

The prospect is that as more Chinese companies export and realise they need to up their quality for a more discerning market, plus the sheer number of manufacturers competing for the market share, they will respond accordingly.

And the quickest way to make them improve their product is to refuse to buy their shit.

[Indiana_Jones]

And the quickest way to make them improve their product is to refuse to buy their shit.

+1

As well as your earlier post, which summed up my waffling one

-Indy

[Swoop]

I'm still actively checking any purchases for "made in china" on it.
Especially at the supermarket!

[avgas]

I don't support SLAVERY!
Sure you do.
You just typed this comment on a computer that has slavery components.

Turns out you know nothing, or you support slavery.

Take your pick.

[willytheekid]

Sure you do.
You just typed this comment on a computer that has slavery components.

Turns out you know nothing, or you support slavery.

Take your pick.

:facepalm: havin some fun mashin da keyboard thingy today avgas? :laugh:

[avgas]

:facepalm: havin some fun mashin da keyboard thingy today avgas? :laugh:
I used to flick through the yellow pages.
Now those bastards are addicted to walking.

[ducatilover]

And the quickest way to make them improve their product is to refuse to buy their shit.

Quite true.
When we all run out and buy non-NZ made products we all rape our own economy, to an extent. How many more businesses do we need to lose to China and the other uber cheap nations? :facepalm:

[Edbear]

Quite true.
When we all run out and buy non-NZ made products we all rape our own economy, to an extent. How many more businesses do we need to lose to China and the other uber cheap nations? :facepalm:

You've only got to go back thirty years and overview the world's "progress" since to a global economy with each nation now so intertwined they cannot be a stand-alone economy anymore. There are precious few NZ made goods to purchase nowadays. We have benefitted more than suffered economically as a country.

Supporting NZ businesses is important, but by far the majority of suppliers of goods are selling imported product from several different countries. If we stopped buying non-NZ-made products, we'd have very empty homes and garages and parlours.

The businesses we are "losing" to the likes of China are of the FMCG type simply because mass manufacturing can't compete at home However as a nation we are pretty canny and business, per se, is doing remarkably well in the face of the global economic meltdown, unlike a few other countries we could name, like Greece, Italy, the UK and the USA. Sure, NZ is suffering right now and it's not going to improve much at all in the foreseeable future, but hiding our heads in the sand isn't going to help, neither is wishful thinking.

[cave weta]

Most small motorcycles and scooters are now made in China, regardless of brand an more and more components are China sourced even for the likes of Harley. Honda makes nearly all its small engines in China along with Yamaha and probably all the manufacturers.

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Harley Davidson being the odd one out, In that quality increased 8000% when production was moved to China.

Olympus cameras Hitatchi Powertools Mitsubishi sewing machines Yamaha Audio.... I own em all. and all made in China..
A great thread Ed, I wish you all the best. I too have developed a relationship with a Chinese factory. This years products are awesome quality.

[Edbear]

Olympus cameras Hitatchi Powertools Mitsubishi sewing machines Yamaha Audio.... I own em all. and all made in China..
A great thread Ed, I wish you all the best. I too have developed a relationship with a Chinese factory. This years products are awesome quality.

Thanks mate! If we are careful and as you note, form a relationship with one factory which has a good record, it can be beneficial. This one doesn't have much in the way of extra attachments, like tractor mowers or even the small tractors apart from the mini one I've posted, but the more I talk to the guy the better I feel about it.

One thing that took my eye was this motorised surf-board! 50cc and 32km/h!

[Edbear]

Just thought I'd chuck a few prices out there...

I hope you can match the pics with the price...

The PowerSky surf board, $3495.00
VL250GY-11 $3350.00
VL250PY $2995.00
VL150GY-3 $2495.00
VL125GY $1995.00
VL700UTV-4 $13995.00 four seater
VL800JP-2wd $13495.00
VL800JP-4wd $14495.00
VL500HM UTV $13695.00

[Edbear]

These wouldn't fit...