Poorly Made In China: An Insider's Account Of The Tactics Behind China's Production Game (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
A walk through cheap stuff made in China. Mostly it centers on a shampoo/soap supplier, making cheap stuff for consumers expecting cheap stuff. Funny, because the Chinese especially don't trust the consumable stuff made in China. I suspect the particulars differ from industry to industry. I would like to know the story of the higher end consumer manufacturing, say an iPod, a Miele vaccuum cleaner, and middle end like stoves and refrigerators. The cheap stuff (irons, toasters, appliances, many power tools) you can guess and its no surprise that it dies, corrodes, and falls apart after a short time. Interesting chapter on outsourced recycled paper sorting. All in all useful, reminding you of what happens when you bottom shop with a cheap only mindset. Trouble is its all seems to be becoming cheap stuff. I loved the phrase: rise and stall of China, suggesting opportunity for a new generation of smarter manufacturers whereever in the world they pop up next, USA, Germany, Mexico, wherever. This book is well-written and full of practical experiences of the author. The real life stories of the author are what made this book appealing and helpful. Although I have some experience living in China for a while, this book opens a totally whole new horizon for me about the reality behind all the cheap product 'made in china'. When I was in China, I and my friends were always surprised by the cheap prices of clothes, toys, shampoos.. you name it! To be honest, it was good to be able to buy technically anything with a budget as low as US$15, but on the other hand the quality is never guaranteed. At least with this book now the mystery of low price and fake brands in China is partially uncovered. With no cost on R&D, replacing materials regardless of consequences, using cheap labors, and using very unsustainable pricing strategies, Chinese manufacturers could manage to export millions of products around the world, at the same time earn million $ themselves. But at the end, I share the concern with the author about the sustainability of this model. At least so far, as many of us know, the brand 'made in China' is not a favored title any more - and in many cases it is associated with cheap, low quality and even dangerous.
What do You think about Poorly Made In China: An Insider's Account Of The Tactics Behind China's Production Game (2009)?
The book shows how the country's tactics to lowering their price on product. enlighting.
—katiebx
this is an excellent book.. for any sinophiliac out there, it is a must-read...!
—hangud
