Low Cost Goods Benefit American Consumers
Submitted by Bill Belew on Monday, 22 May 2006No Comment
The General Public and opinion leaders weighed in with different views on whether cheap Chinese goods are a benefit or not for American consumers.
In the end, both agree that low-cost products are a benefit but they disagreed considerably on how much of a benefit it is.
Opinion leaders (nearly 80%) said that cheap Chinese products benefit Americans.
Just over 60% of the general public agree with this assessment.
I find that a bit peculiar. It seems the American geneal public is NOT aware of just how much low cost goods benefit them or the Opinion leaders overestimate this benefit.
Maybe Americans would rather pay more if it meant security – job or otherwise – in another aspect of their life. I am not sure.
What do you think?
Chinese products are not well made, but that is not their fault, it is the american companies that allow the chinese to use certain cheaper materials when they make their products. Things are not made to last anymore. Often within days after a warranty expires the products fall apart. If my toaster had been made now I would have had to replace it many times already, but it’s not and it has been working perfectly for 50+ years now. Quality products are no longer what companies pride themselves in. It’s more of an issue that the companies want their products made by cheap materials so that we, the consumers, have no choice but to keep on upgrading to their next new product.
Americans often grow tired of products, too. It might be better to make something cheaply knowing it will be upgraded anyway.
I think that cheep Chinese goods are nessicary for American businesses. If we were to make all of our goods here in america, the cost of common products like Nike shoes or even cars would raise phenominaly. Although, I do not dismiss the fact that cheep labor is ethicaly wrong, I do feel that maby there should be a higher price that China asks from Americans to produse the products for. This way it would be more fair for the people in china who are actualy making the products.
You were asking in class what type of toaster I have: it’s a Sunbeam model T-20 chrome automatic toaster that used to have a cloth cord. It was bought sometime between 1948-1951 and it still does the bread perfectly.
As for things being designed cheaply so that they get replaced quickly… I think if a person grows tired of their clothing or appliances, they should give them to people who need them, for free or donate them to other (devistated/war torn) countries. I hear of people throwing away new things or only using something once….Giving those things to churches for the homeless or to the Good Will is a kind way to help them out. craigslist.com free section is proof of how good this can be.
I am sure the Chinese people will be happy to have the money.
There is talk about taxing everything out of China…but the the government will have control of the money.
That may NOT be so good.
Thanks for your comments.
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