Cheap Faulty Goods

[MrPlum]

I know you get what you pay for but it's beginning to get a bit silly. The Kitchen wall clock packed up after 4 months. The digital scales lasted about 20 weigh-ins. The Portable stereo USB has never played sound. The fancy looking study set is cheap and thin veneer and leather and is worn though within 12 months. My Sony VAIO laptop audio packed up after a few weeks. The DVD player went after 18 months. The external ADSL router lasted 2 years. The grass trimmer spins about its axle. The fancy drinking glasses are too thin and break readily. The Coffee maker I know won't last 18 months. The garden tools are rusty and the blades on just about anything go blunt in a day. The green-handled kitchenware from Tesco pulled off on first use.

I'm beginning to think that these things are designed to only have a certain shelf life and that you end up paying more than if you had bought quality in the first place. With more and more manufacturing shifting to China is this going to be the norm now?

[hhfarang]

I'm beginning to think that these things are designed to only have a certain shelf life and that you end up paying more than if you had bought quality in the first place. With more and more manufacturing shifting to China is this going to be the norm now?

Yes! I have bought a lot of what I call "Chinese and Thai crap" since moving here and learned my lesson. Now I pay the inflated price for Japanese, European, Australian or North American imports when it is available as to me it's better to buy quality that will last for years than to keep replacing things every few weeks or months!

[Spitfire]

I know what you mean MrP, sometimes I buy something and when I get home to use it it's so crap I'm thinking "Why do you even bother making it?"

[hulltoon]

i know what you are talking about i bought an iron from tesco one month ago and that packed in yesterday and i cant find the gaurentee.

[Huahinian]

i know what you are talking about i bought an iron from tesco one month ago and that packed in yesterday and i cant find the gaurentee.

The guarantee probably is just as effective as the iron!

[Arcadian]

Yes, and my Rolex packed up after just a month!

[Big Boy]

Yes, and my Rolex packed up after just a month!

That's 29 days more use than normal.

[Condoking]

Yes, and my Rolex packed up after just a month!

That's 29 days more use than normal.

No pleasing some people, it's guaranteed to be spot on twice a day, more than most watches

[HHADFan]

An interesting look at manufacturing in China (book review):

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/KG18Ad02.html

[MrPlum]

An interesting look at manufacturing in China (book review):

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/KG18Ad02.html

Good link.

I had a spell designing products for the scrapbooking industry and had my first big order to the U.S. from 'Sam's Club', which required me to employ more staff and ramp up the operation. The Chinese manufacturer had sent me 10 samples which were superb. Wow! I'm going to make a fortune, I figured.

Even though it was a huge order with more likely to come, I was still a bit wary of taking on new staff, so for peace of mind, ordered 1000 units, paid out of my own pocket. They were a disaster. The factory had used lead paint and their best artists on the samples. For the actual order they used non-toxic paint and anyone who could hold a brush between their toes. My pet ferret could have stuck his tail in a paint pot and done better. The packaging was upside down. There was dirt and what looked like dog hairs stuck to the plastic wrappers. The hang tag holes didn't line up. Printing was upside down. Only half the order was delivered. They arrived late. They packed them too tightly so many were broken.

So ended that particular dream of fame and fortune. It beggars belief that they would even think anyone would buy them. No QC whatsoever.

I should thank them really. No fortune now but relaxed and doing what I enjoy.

[PeteC]

Those old enough will remember that Japan was thought of in the same way, then Korea. They have both excelled now.

I would like to think China will do the same in time, but I'm not confident the mentality is there like it was with the Japanese and Koreans. Their attitude now is 'get rich quick' and little else. Pete

[miked]

most of the faulty goods i have bought are made in Thailand, not China. unless it's a Japanese or European company manufacturing here i don't want to know.
made in Thailand by a Thai manufacturing company. forget it. rubbish.
miked

[stgrhe]

most of the faulty goods i have bought are made in Thailand, not China. unless it's a Japanese or European company manufacturing here i don't want to know.
made in Thailand by a Thai manufacturing company. forget it. rubbish.
miked

That is also my experience. Apart for solid wood furniture and Thai silk I have only seem craps manufactured here in Thailand. Then cannot even do floor tiles properly whereas goods from China actually can be very well made. I have seen some very good examples of high end HiFi equipment made in China.

Give the Chinese another ten years and they will surpass both Japan and South Korea. Thailand on the other hand will probably not improve much.

[charlesh]

electric timer 3 weeks
angle grinder 1 week
drill bits 1-2 uses
steak knives < 6 uses
hand drill 3 months
shovel 2 uses before bending
Briggs and Stratton mower 1 use before cable kinked and 1 month before rust
plastic garbage bin 1 month before handles fell off
Lounge suite cushions 6 months before stuffed (no I am not a fat "ar-e")
Guarantee - you must be kidding.
When I wanted a spare part was told better to buy a new one.
Country of origin - who knows as sometimes not mentioned.
I am keeping the fingers crossed with the Honda. I gather the Thais are supervised by Japs when building them though. Thank God.

[Takiap]

Apart from a few things, most goods made here in Thailand are crap and you're lucky if you even get to use them but then again, you also do get quality thai goods if you're willing to pay for them. Yes you can get an angle grinder from Tesco (Thai or Chinese) and pay Bt200 but come on, what do you expect? On the other hand you can go and buy a more expensive one and it'll last for years.

Childrens toys are another example and they fall to bits in a matter of days if not minutes. I did buy some when my first little one was born and having been made in China, the lasted a day or so. However, I have also bought some superb quality V-Tech toys from the UK which were made in Chine so obviously the manufacturers work to different standards depending on where the goods are being sent

Goods bought in Thailand:-

Air con - 9 years and still going strong
Angle grinder from Tesco - 1 day and buggered
Angle grinder from hardware store - 4 years and no complaints
Electric planer - 4 years - perfect still
Thai made digital camera - ha, ha, ha - gave it away two months later.
200 baht kettle from tesco - 1 year and working fine
Thai made electric frying pan - 6 years and still used daily
Thai made rice cooker - 9 years and still used daily
Thai fans - built to last IMO
Washing machine (European import) 23,000 baht - 1 week before repairs were needed but no problem since then


In my opinion, some Thai goods are fine but because they also have many cheap alternatives, we're often tempted to get a bargain and of course that's a mistake. As with many things in life - you get what you pay for.

Oh yes, the wife is made in Thailand and she's lasted for ten years. Hope she doesn't pack up as I don't recall getting a guarantee.....lol.


Bought a pair of diamond earing about eight years ago and was told I should claim back the VAT. Loads of paperwork and my heart still bleeds for the postman delivering that refund because I think he's still at see on a rowing boat or something................lol.


Put your hand in your pocket and pay proper money if you want proper quality