Is there such a thing as good China quality(?)

[JC220]

I had an interesting argument debate with someone recently regarding China made products. In particular I was referring to car parts such as Meyle and similar which can fail prematurely and have a short life span.

It was pointed out to me that not all China Factories are "bad" and a key example being Apple. Their phones are high quality and are made in China. Most Milwakee power tools are also made in China.

I also noticed today when I purchased a new Stihl Strimmer it was marked as made in China. Whereas my Stihl Leaf blower is made in Germany. So top brands are actively producing in China with no apparent issues so where is the divide in quality? There are definitely poor quality China products made it comes from different regions?

 

[Glen]

There was a time when most if not all goods made in China were of poor quality but things change. The large Chinese manufacturers have learned how to make higher quality products and there are many items that are just as good as if they were made in the west. But as a consumer, you still need to do your homework so you don't end up with junk. YMMV.

 

[alabbasi]

While I'm sure that they exist, I've yet to meet anyone from China who has below average intelligence, and lacks good work ethic. China is now the contract manufacturer for the rest of the world and this means that whoever is outsourcing the manufacturing is also setting the standards and dictating the price.

If a company sends their jobs to China because they want to build a widget for 1/10th the price as it would cost in Germany or the USA, it's to increase their profit margin and they'll get what they pay for. If they want to raise the quality, they'll get better quality at a higher price. It's not for the factory to refuse the work.

Similarly, when I called the airline yesterday, the reason I waited 90 minutes to speak to an airline rep about applying a credit on a ticket I wanted purchase was not because they were randomly busy. It's because they decided that this is how long a customer should wait to get someone on the phone and staffed accordingly.

So in simple terms, anyone who blames a country for the junk that they bought and not themselves or the company that sold it is an idiot.

 

[gsxr]

Along with Apple and Milwonkee, HP has all of their PC's made in China, including their top-end Z Workstations. They aren't cheap though, and HP has strict quality standards. As mentioned above, if the item in question is built to meet a 1/10 price target, it's almost always going to be junk lifespan-reduced. Be careful out there, and don't shop by price then complain when you get what you pay for...

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Interesting topic...

I've had a brief conversation with one of my patients who has custom rod and reel shop. All of his blanks and reels/parts are made in China to his specs, and here is what he said:

"The degree of quality can be purchased to whatever level you want, the question is how much are you willing to pay? My reels with all the gearing and all the internal components I would put against any major manufacturing brand in the world, the quality is absolutely top notch! Yes, I have to pay for this quality, but for me it is worth it as I put my name on the product. ​

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Lesser quality, with different metals and compounds are available to me, and at considerable discounts, but again, the quality will suffer. With manufacturers in China I choose the level of excellence I want to put into my product. ​

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And that is what I like about them, the production, the engineering, the tooling and design aspect can be changed quickly and efficiently to meet my demands, I can not find this kind of flexibility in the US. Bottom line is this: if all you can pay is for a shit-product, they will make it for you, if an absolutely top notch, world class product you want, pay up and it will be made available to you as well." ​

I may be paraphrasing a word or two, but get the idea. That said, I'm beginning to believe the entire world or production has turned into disposable everything. Longevity and quality is no longer a priority for a lot of brand and manufacturers. It is disappointing!

Regards,
D

P.S I wanted to make a custom steering wheel horn button for Porsche, something without the crest. I wanted in the thicker raised chrome lettering for 3D effect, and small enough to fit the momo style horn button. I've stopped by every shop in town, I've call and email my design to many online shops, I've reached out to many shops through Ebay, the same answer: Can't do, too small for our tooling or 100pc min order.

You know who came through - JKRC Customizable Store from China via Aliexpress, 6pc in exact design I sent them and the quality is absolutely great (I know, not exactly a true automotive part...)!



Now all I need to do is do a clear epoxy with UV over it and should be good to go with this one of

 

[Duh_Vinci]

...If they want to raise the quality, they'll get better quality at a higher price. It's not for the factory to refuse the work.

Yes, that ^

 

[AMG5PT4]

With a lot of parts for older chassis MB's going NLA (W126/W124 of interest to this board), seems that is an opportunity to backfill products that MB was making. However, as stated above, China is mostly a contract manufacturer to customer specs. If a company wants to get into the MB NLA void market, quality will be a consideration, but if MB is no longer a competitor, the quality factor will most likely suffer. Most owners of these cars care more about replacing a part, not replacing the part with one of comparable MB quality. Owners on this board are mostly an exception and care about quality.

 

[alabbasi]

Yep, the quality just hasn't been there since British Leyland stopped using Lucas parts and Chrysler stopped selling cars with Corinthian leather.

 

[8899]

Here is a quality product made in China:

Wheel Spacers - BONOSS

www.bonoss.com