Full congratulations, and 150 per cent-plus endorsement of Ann Walcott’s article in your publication on Tuesday, December 5. I couldn’t have written a better letter.
I, too, have been fed up with the poor quality of most Chinese-made products in recent years.
My policy also is to return unusable items. For example, punch-type tin openers which are so imprecisely made that they will not connect to the top of the tin, and thus cannot punch through.
A small matter, yes, but the principle is that one should not be expected to pay for, and accept, substandard products.
Nowadays when shopping, especially for appliances, I will enquire if they have any non-Chinese-made products. The attendant usually looks at me as if I’m mad. So I end up buying second-hand, but quality products from auctions or elsewhere.
However, as a friend pointed out, the fault is not entirely with the manufacturers, but also with the brand name franchise holders who accept these shoddy standards. This is done in the name of greed and higher profits.
The main reason for making their products in China is because they can get away with paying less wages there than in their home countries.
We, the consumers, must stop this rip-off by refusing to buy such items. In other words, stage our own boycott of shoddily made products.
– CECILE GIBB
