Paying a high price for items made in China

[chicinthecity777]

I think if the thread had started 10 years ago...the conversation would have been different. We mustn't forget that the cost of living is higher than ever, that when we spend money.. (which is hard to make nowadays),we ALL want to make sure we are not being ripped off by the brand...
The time when the consumer accepted to pay hundreds of dollars or euros on an item without asking themselves questions...is over.
Do I pay the right price ? That's the question.
We have nothing against China.
Would there be a Chinese designer (and there will be famous ones in a very near future)...making his bags and clothes in his home country, we would not even ask ourselves questions...we would buy the product if we liked it.
In these times of global crisis, is it normal to pay $ 1000 or more for something we know doesn't cost that much because of the lower wages in Asian countries?
I am not blaming China, I am blaming the brands which, because of their image, continue to rise their prices.....though the cost is lower....
But....I would also refuse to spend 500 euros on a plastic bag.....even if it's is made in Europe or the US...just because the designer is prestigious....

Don't forget cost of living in China has raised a lot too! Plus the workers and factories are a lot more wary about the conditions in which the products are made. Therefore “Made in China” = “Cheap Labour” is not true any more. Many works' wages have been increased many folds.

 

[Kissmark]

Let me say this again - shoes made in certain countries don't fit MY feet, including some shoes made in China and USA.

Name brands could get their material from one country, partially assemble their product in another country, and leave the last step be finished in Italy (or some countries consumers think are higher level), label the Made In to that country and charge high prices. Who to blame?

Single out one country seems racism to me. You mentioned one country, I exampled another two so to test how to feel.

I totally agree with you. Singling out one country seems racism to me too. Most developing world factories have similar labor, human rights, and quality control issues as those of China, but people like to pick on China because it's an easy target.

But back to the topic, no I will not pay a premium for European designer products made in China. Not because of the quality issue, but because I don't want to be ripped off. I do buy many things made in China, because many Chinese products offer good value for money. Bu I wont buy overpriced designer shoes or bags that made in China. I don't think Chinese people would either.....

 

[emilu]

Maybe because someone (not OP) said that she had a problem with buying a handbag made by Chinese workers in Italy. I think the thread kind of jumped the shark there.

This... no one likes to be called racist and don't think she did (but racism is an emotionally charged topic, which even implied/sounds/felt like can feel like an attack).

While I don't think one (in the most general of senses) can garner conclusive evidence of "racism" one way or the other (and again i don't think anyone has made that direct attack), especially not just from the basic statement "i don't like made in china" (because of all the baggage that is tied to that--tendency for poorly treated workers, often although not decreases in quality/oversight, huge profit margins)... there is a concern that one is boycotting china just to boycott china, and not in hopes that boycotting improves the conditions therein.

 

[caramelize126]

I think the point of this thread is being misunderstood, and some are taking it a bit too personally.

IMO, no one is blaming China. It is used as an example because so many of our goods now come from there. The logic is simple: Low wages +poor working conditions + designers being greedy and skimping on quality control will yield poor quality goods. This would be true in ANY country, not just china.

China is so often used as an example because it is so well known for having these conditions. Many designers have now found a haven in these countries to make their goods for less money. China is just the most popular.

Again this has NOTHING to do with the country itself, or the workers.

I think the poster that made the comment about not buying a bag because it was made by chinese workers in Italy didn't mean it in a racist way. It was putting blame on designers, who brought over workers from another country, knowing that they could get away with low wages & any type of working condition. Nor would they then have to pay shipping and exporting fees since the goods were still being made in Italy. It is sneaky on the designer's part. AGAIN nothing to do with the China or the people.

I think some stuff is just being taken out of context and misconstrued.

 

[Sweet Fire]

Very good post! Especially in this economy, I think people are extra careful with what they buy and want the best possibly quality. This has nothing to do with anything else.

Here's an analogy: when I buy olive oil I always buy extra virgin natural oil from Greece. And I happily pay more. I have nothing against olive oil from the US or Spain, but I know that Greece is known for their olive oil and will have the best flavor and darkest color.

Yep just like the make-up brand Urban Decay, they were going to start manufacturing their products in China. However China supports animal testing and Urban Decay is known & popular for being animal friendly. In the end UD did not go through with the merger because they didn't want to sacrifice its consumers to do so. As consumers we do matter because it is our money that is enabling these brands to survive. Take our money away and brands will be forced to make changes that benefit us.

Obviously LV has been effected by this since they are no longer listing where their products are made. If their profits continue to go down, they will be forced to make changes again, hopefully that will benefit us this time and not just themselves. We talk with our buying power and without our money, these brands can't survive period. Place your buying power into the brands that deserve it and be willing to pay the price.

 

[Sweet Fire]

I totally agree with you. Singling out one country seems racism to me too. Most developing world factories have similar labor, human rights, and quality control issues as those of China, but people like to pick on China because it's an easy target.

But back to the topic, no I will not pay a premium for European designer products made in China. Not because of the quality issue, but because I don't want to be ripped off. I do buy many things made in China, because many Chinese products offer good value for money. Bu I wont buy overpriced designer shoes or bags that made in China. I don't think Chinese people would either.....

The ones I know don't...

 

[Mariapia]

Don't forget cost of living in China has raised a lot too! Plus the workers and factories are a lot more wary about the conditions in which the products are made. Therefore “Made in China” = “Cheap Labour” is not true any more. Many works' wages have been increased many folds.

I know Xiangxiang....but the wages are still much lower than in Europe or the US....If they were the same...you can be sure that brands would not have their products made so far away....
In France...lots of brands have also gone to Tunisia...The Tunisians invested a lot of money to have good factories...and when the designers realized they could go to Vietnam or Bangladesh for much less...they abandoned Tunisia....and the Tunisians are left with empty factories..
This is what it is about...
Cynicism!
Profit first...and then...they don't care....

 

[plumaplomb]

I go by quality of sewing and content of fabric rather than the origin. However, I do have to admit that I was wearing a Burberry coat in Burberry the other day, and was dismayed to see that the current version they sell of my coat is made in China (mine was made in England and purchased several years ago). However, I compared both coats and didn't really see any difference in quality.

 

[Mariapia]

Don't forget cost of living in China has raised a lot too! Plus the workers and factories are a lot more wary about the conditions in which the products are made. Therefore “Made in China” = “Cheap Labour” is not true any more. Many works' wages have been increased many folds.

Yesterday.....I watched a programme on my favourite French Channel ( France2, Envoyé Spécial Thursday December 13th....20H45 Frenc time).
It was about Foxconn....a Chinese factory which makes Ipads and Iphones....
Two French journalists asked two Chinese people to get a job there and "infiltrate" the factory with hidden cameras.
What did we see?
People were interviewed...
They are paid 220 euros a month.....but they don't get that sum...
Foxconn takes 20 euros for the dormitary ( 8 people in a room)....
50 euros for food and charges...
A few euros for insurance....
You can calculate how much they get in the end...around 140 euros....)
In 5 months...14 employees committed suicide...
If an employee complains about his/ her worKing conditions...he/she is fired immediately....
We can see foremen shouting at them.
Pressure is unbearable...especially on the Iphone5 which , because of its particular shape, is difficult to make....
Apple has tried to warn the main factory but Foxconn opened other places....and continues to harrass and underpay their employees....

 

[chicinthecity777]

Yesterday.....I watched a programme on my favourite French Channel ( France2, Envoyé Spécial Thursday December 13th....20H45 Frenc time).
It was about Foxconn....a Chinese factory which makes Ipads and Iphones....
Two French journalists asked two Chinese people to get a job there and "infiltrate" the factory with hidden cameras.
What did we see?
People were interviewed...
They are paid 220 euros a month.....but they don't get that sum...
Foxconn takes 20 euros for the dormitary ( 8 people in a room)....
50 euros for food and charges...
A few euros for insurance....
You can calculate how much they get in the end...around 140 euros....)
In 5 months...14 employees committed suicide...
If an employee complains about his/ her worKing conditions...he/she is fired immediately....
We can see foremen shouting at them.
Pressure is unbearable...especially on the Iphone5 which , because of its particular shape, is difficult to make....
Apple has tried to warn the main factory but Foxconn opened other places....and continues to harrass and underpay their employees....

I have heard the stories about iPhone factories. In fact I think this story is quite a few years old. I have heard it a few years back. I am not saying now everybody working in Chinese factories is paid a decent salary. Far from it. But things are changing. The salary is NOT as low as it used to be. I have recently (a few weeks ago) read an article on BBC website about this British guy who designs clever home ware and used to have them produced in China and sell them to worldwide market. Just this year, he had to move his production outside China because he couldn't find factories would take his orders. The factories couldn't find people to work on those products because they are low technology therefore low paid. Nobody wants to work on them! He moved to somewhere in East Europe.

Not only I watch programs or read articles about China but I also travel extensively in China. The cost of living has increased dramatically in China in the recently years and that is a FACT!

 

[Mariapia]

I have heard the stories about iPhone factories. In fact I think this story is quite a few years old. I have heard it a few years back. I am not saying now everybody working in Chinese factories is paid a decent salary. Far from it. But things are changing. The salary is NOT as low as it used to be. I have recently (a few weeks ago) read an article on BBC website about this British guy who designs clever home ware and used to have them produced in China and sell them to worldwide market. Just this year, he had to move his production outside China because he couldn't find factories would take his orders. The factories couldn't find people to work on those products because they are low technology therefore low paid. Nobody wants to work on them! He moved to somewhere in East Europe.

Not only I watch programs or read articles about China but I also travel extensively in China. The cost of living has increased dramatically in China in the recently years and that is a FACT!

Envoyé Spécial's programme has been filmed very recently.....
Nothing has changed....
You should see the new buildings in the provinces.....
The dormitaries are there...but still.... no water and no lift.....Foxconn wanted to make sure their employees could have a place "to live" (of course....they need them on the spot!) but the workers will have to wait to get water and lifts!
I think that in the near future....the Chinese workers will revolt against all this...
Only trouble is....they need the job...They send their money to their families.
If they leave...somebody else will replace them right away....

 

[Sweet Fire]

Envoyé Spécial's programme has been filmed very recently.....
Nothing has changed....
You should see the new buildings in the provinces.....
The dormitaries are there...but still.... no water and no lift.....Foxconn wanted to make sure their employees could have a place "to live" (of course....they need them on the spot!) but the workers will have to wait to get water and lifts!
I think that in the near future....the Chinese workers will revolt against all this...
Only trouble is....they need the job...They send their money to their families.
If they leave...somebody else will replace them right away....

Yep just pathetic!

 

[Allisonfaye]

YOu know I can't help but think of two points here:

1) I wonder how many of you who say you won't buy if it is made in China own Chinese made tvs or electronics and
2) I wonder if any of you are the folks who complain over and over again in the Chanel or other bag forums about the price increases?

You can't have it both ways. You want quality and decent working conditions but I don't think many of you are prepared to pay the price of those things.

 

[Mariapia]

Yep just pathetic!

When they came back from China, the journalists went to the Apple Store on the Champs Elysées and showed their document to the customers who were about to get into the store...
People were horrified!
Some of them said they would stop buying Apple products...

 

[Mariapia]

YOu know I can't help but think of two points here:

1) I wonder how many of you who say you won't buy if it is made in China own Chinese made tvs or electronics and
2) I wonder if any of you are the folks who complain over and over again in the Chanel or other bag forums about the price increases?

You can't have it both ways. You want quality and decent working conditions but I don't think many of you are prepared to pay the price of those things.

You'll never hear me complain about the price increases of Chanel or any other brands...As a matter of fact, if those designers have risen their prices it's not because they have risen their employees'salaries...but because their bags sell like hot cakes....it's the law of ...offer and demand...
I can read it on the bags forum " Hurry up....they are going to rise the prices!"
And it works!
And I can tell you that we all want quality and good working conditions...
In Europe and the Us we have brands that are made locally and are perfect!