Maybe the cheap stuff from China isn't so swell after all

[JR]

The fundamental law of economics: there's no such thing as a free lunch.

First there were the counterfeit electronics. Then there were the counterfeit prescription drugs. Then there were the massive recalls of children's toys.

Now, there may be problems with almost half a million defective tires manufactured in China.

It's cowboy capitalism over there right now and the fundmamental problem is a scary one: there are no watchdogs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/business/worldbusiness/27tires.html?hp

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Oded Shenkar, a professor of management at Ohio State University and author of “The Chinese Century,” referring to the spate of recalls and problem products from China. “We’re going to see more and more problems with Chinese products because there’s inadequate oversight in the manufacturing process. I’ve even heard about counterfeit car brakes being made there.”

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

That's a great thought: counterfeit car brakes.

 

[JR]

That's a great thought: counterfeit car brakes.

That one kinda leaps out, doesn't it?

Yeah but they're $10.00 cheaper than anywhere else.

 

[Pastor]

Doctors have recently begun more vigorous lead testing on children. Because of the amount of toys produced in China, and the paucity of oversight, there is reason to believe that lead poisoning could return.

Remember, toothpaste from China was killing people in Mexico and South America.

 

[JR]

Doctors have recently begun more vigorous lead testing on children. Because of the amount of toys produced in China, and the paucity of oversight, there is reason to believe that lead poisoning could return.

Remember, toothpaste from China was killing people in Mexico and South America.

Part of the problem is that a lot of stuff like lead-painted toys aren't ending up in Wal-Mart stores but in the ma & pop dollar stores that have overtaken the retail landscape.

Despite their numerous faults Wal-Mart does make regularly visits to the factories of major suppliers to ensure that the manufacturers are being compliant. Doesn't change the fact that they're still the Evil Empire.

 

[Mayfly]

Doctors have recently begun more vigorous lead testing on children. Because of the amount of toys produced in China, and the paucity of oversight, there is reason to believe that lead poisoning could return.

Remember, toothpaste from China was killing people in Mexico and South America.

I always get thrown off by your typing in blue font.

 

[JR]

I think Pastor's world view is basically sarcastic so he leaves it on permanently.

 

[slappy4428]

I think Pastor's world view is basically sarcastic so he leaves it on permanently.

[blue]That's not funny[/blue]

 

[wickedwritah]

The thing is ...

We should be demanding our retailers inspect the quality of the goods themselves, and we should be holding them accountable.

 

[JR]

The thing is ...

We should be demanding our retailers inspect the quality of the goods themselves, and we should be holding them accountable.

Nope.

It's the manufacturers responsibility. Always has been, always will.

You cannot expect a retailer to inspect thousands of goods from hundreds of suppliers. It's logistically impossible since they have no knowlege of the individual manufacturing processes.

The only time a retailer would be held responsible if they continued to sell an article that had been deemed dangerous or they failed to obey a recall.

 

[Point of Order]

The thing is ...

We should be demanding our retailers inspect the quality of the goods themselves, and we should be holding them accountable.

Nope.

It's the manufacturers responsibility. Always has been, always will.

You cannot expect a retailer to inspect thousands of goods from hundreds of suppliers. It's logistically impossible since they have no knowlege of the individual manufacturing processes.

The only time a retailer would be held responsible if they continued to sell an article that had been deemed dangerous or they failed to obey a recall.

But wouldn't it be interesting if a massive goods retailer, for example, was discovered to be purchasing products from a segment of manufacturers that it knew or reasonably should have known to be harmful, and it did nothing to discourage or stop said activity. It could be the motherlode of lawsuits.