Explaining China's Quality Control Problems

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the problem is not government, but consumers. Americans want to be paid $100 per hour and shop at WalMart in order to buy things for 50 cents. The formula doesn't work and niether do we Americans. Stop complaining about the governments failure to fix our problems and put on your big boy boots. We all have a responsibility to fix our own problems. This includes what we buy and where. If the Chinese products are good quality, buy them. But when they are not don't. We have become victims of our own actions and now want to blame someone else. Take responsibility people!!

Dan of IL 1:13PM March 02, 2010

The reason that China is not held to the same standard as Japan is really very simple, China buys up our debt. We do not want China to "call" for total payment. This would seriously de-rail any hope of recovery.
The true fault should be laid at the feet of our beloved government. Democrats and Republicans both share in the responsibility. This goes to show how much our government really cares for its citizens. Our Senators and Representatives listen to and accept payment from a whole range of special interest groups that assure the welfare of our Congressmen at the expense of its citizens.
Do not expect any change in the status quo until: #1 the American people show some backbone and persistance to hold this government responsible or #2 There is a truly catistrophic event that demands change. When this happens, all those responsible should be brought to a swift and complete accounting. DO NOT forget who your representatives are!

Mike Wood of MD 7:51AM February 07, 2010

As a resident of South Korea during the Melamine in powdered milk scandal of 2007/2008, I was witness to the store shelves being cleared of any products that may have contained Chinese milk powder. Previous to this food recall, we had been enjoying some hot chocolate, only to discover a hard white powder at the bottom of our cups. We simply washed out our cups and threw out the product because of its inferior quality. I have since made it my personal choice to refrain from buying anything made in China. I hope that others will have the strength to shell out a little more money for a lot more quality. If enough people stop buying the substandard products, perhaps importers in other countries will stop sourcing from China where quality control is such an issue.

R.J. of MI 6:12PM January 02, 2010

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 11:31AM September 11, 2009

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 12:33AM June 19, 2009

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 9:19AM April 27, 2009

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.

Robert Porchison of GA 1:53PM April 26, 2009