tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post2914248716264368040..comments2024-03-14T12:09:15.544-04:00Comments on hifi heroin: I just spent $11.87 on ebay.dave slaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04471291813778371184noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post-18956640893731618932010-05-01T21:47:51.651-04:002010-05-01T21:47:51.651-04:00Yep, we are now fundamentally and permanently tied...Yep, we are now fundamentally and permanently tied to China. Like co-dependents. We do need fair trade, however, our threats are idle as they own a big chunk of our debt and could destroy our currency if they wanted to. In a way, I blame Nixon for opening up China before we knew what we were getting into and how to manage it.<br /><br />Retail markup only works when you have a lot of control over your market. This control is gone. One good thing about retailers is that because they market up hi-fi so egregiously that I taught myself how to build and design components. The only thing store bought in my system is the front end. I have to figure out how to build my own turntable and get a strain gage.Bluegrass Ampshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08926204268967865008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post-39357740157884456322010-04-30T22:33:19.836-04:002010-04-30T22:33:19.836-04:00I'm with you but I think you need to accept th...I'm with you but I think you need to accept that the dumping will continue. Look where the profit is going and it is all US based and centered in Arkansas, Minnesota and the corporate headquarters of every other big box chain.<br /><br />My 10 batteries for $1.20 just sent the Walton family a message.dave slaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04471291813778371184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post-86457124918589474002010-04-30T21:47:02.943-04:002010-04-30T21:47:02.943-04:00Yes, you are behaving as a perfectly rational cons...Yes, you are behaving as a perfectly rational consumer. <br /><br />However, the problem is that China is dumping products here below cost (artificial wages and costs, no environmental controls, child labor, etc.) with the sole purpose of destroying the US industries. You should be able to get a better deal purchasing from DigiKey or Mouser, leveraging their far superior logistics systems and procurement. That they fall far short should tell you something (and that something is not that they are greedy capitalists out to screw the customer) US companies need to follow US regulations. When you buy direct from China you are hitting the shady grey market. There is no way that you can send a package to China for $1.20 in cost, nor are US retailers are taking a $0.102 product and marking it up to $5.00. If that was the case I would corner the market by only charging $4.00 for that 10 cent part. <br /><br />China is terrifying, for exactly the same reasons you are happy about your purchase.Bluegrass Ampshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08926204268967865008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post-24915375428317824162010-04-30T21:13:38.991-04:002010-04-30T21:13:38.991-04:00At some point economics dominates. I wasn't t...At some point economics dominates. I wasn't trying to brag about my behavior but point out that driving 30 miles and paying $5 for a single battery with the risk of the same COO is not the way to do things. On some level we need to accept that we will be dealing with Chinese goods and the goal is to do it wisely. I'm guessing the $11.87 purchase saved me about $100 total which allowed me not to think twice about paypalling $50 to this guy who just got hosed and is totally down.<br /><br />http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hug/messages/14/149113.html <br /><br />search through the thread and you will find his email and it worked for me for the transaction.dave slaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04471291813778371184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post-79749488934162746392010-04-30T16:37:14.010-04:002010-04-30T16:37:14.010-04:00Sorry Dave, here is my rant:
Yes, buying from Chi...Sorry Dave, here is my rant:<br /><br />Yes, buying from China is cheap. Soon, everything will be from China and the US will have no manufacturing/jobs of any kind. It is a near term boon, but a long term disaster for our country. When we have to pay for our goods in yuan, things will not seem so cheap anymore. As far are being ecologically friendly, I will bet the 12 year old girl who made your batteries has seen the ecological disaster her plant is creating.Bluegrass Ampshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08926204268967865008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post-80597131301429887852010-04-30T08:45:05.923-04:002010-04-30T08:45:05.923-04:00yeah being taught to design in "planned obsol...yeah being taught to design in "planned obsolescence" was one of the most irritating things in engineering school... <br /><br />but to <br />"focus on the bigger picture--" <br />yeah; throw away those cheap digital calipers & you'll NEVER have to buy battery's for them again! <br /><br />ANALOG RULES!!!serenechaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072931723236104067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-765294472642092322.post-10576927640862373342010-04-30T04:57:15.698-04:002010-04-30T04:57:15.698-04:00Something that struck me last night was that with ...Something that struck me last night was that with all the furore about goldman designing products to fail... what about razor blades, batteries, light bulbs, ink cartridges...?<br /><br />I wish people would realise that buying cheap crap is gonna cost us all so dearly in the long run (if it isn't already).<br /><br />Ah well. At least I can plug in some trusty 801As to read byshinesnoreply@blogger.com