It seems that there are often references made about cheap Chinese products, especially offset smokers.Comments about how the old American products were so good and now that many of the smokers offered in the big box stores are common,as well as other products such as thermometers and so on. I don't disagree that these products aren't up to the same standards as the old American ones.
However, I submit that these so-called cheap products being built in China (mainland or Taiwan, I don't know which) are being built to the specifications provided to them by the American companies that import them. If the specs call for 20 gauge steel instead of 1/8" or thicker, that's what they build. These products are built and marketed to meet a price point that the public will accept. If the product were to be built to the "old" standards, they wouldn't sell because of the cost. Note that there are no Chinese brand names on these products, only the American logos.
So before casting disparaging comments about cheap Chinese products, maybe the "blame" lies on the American companies who specify, import, accept, and market them.
However, I submit that these so-called cheap products being built in China (mainland or Taiwan, I don't know which) are being built to the specifications provided to them by the American companies that import them. If the specs call for 20 gauge steel instead of 1/8" or thicker, that's what they build. These products are built and marketed to meet a price point that the public will accept. If the product were to be built to the "old" standards, they wouldn't sell because of the cost. Note that there are no Chinese brand names on these products, only the American logos.
So before casting disparaging comments about cheap Chinese products, maybe the "blame" lies on the American companies who specify, import, accept, and market them.
