Imports Vs Locals

[Big Nath]

Silly question, why is ok to buy some imported things but not others?

Its looked down apon to own an imported CT yet acceptable to purchase imported HID kits, toyota cars and HP computers.

i thimk its important to realise just because you buy it from an aussie store doesnt mean its not imported.

before you blast me with your reply, actually think about the question.

Cheers!!

[baldheadedgit]

Your statement is very true my friend.   

BHG

[Bird]

hasnt this been done numerous dozen times ending in a shi+figh+?

[dazzler]

My gripe is that we are one of the richest countries in the world yet are happy to accept crap to save a few $$.

No issues with buying from OS but why buy crap.

Toyotas/nissans/mazda et al (am studying at uni so just HAD to use 'et al') are not crap.  Cheap trailer stuff from china is crap.

Mine is philosophical not personal.  Not so long ago if we couldnt afford a new quality camper we would buy second hand and be happy.  Now we seem to want new as long as its shiny and has all the bling.  The fact its garbage seems to be forgotten.

And I am a hyprocrit.  Sometimes I cant help but save some $$.  I ALWAYS regret it later though.  Just like hookers. 

[Big Nath]

My gripe is that we are one of the richest countries in the world yet are happy to accept crap to save a few $$.

No issues with buying from OS but why buy crap.

Toyotas/nissans/mazda et al (am studying at uni so just HAD to use 'et al') are not crap.  Cheap trailer stuff from china is crap.

Mine is philosophical not personal.  Not so long ago if we couldnt afford a new quality camper we would buy second hand and be happy.  Now we seem to want new as long as its shiny and has all the bling.  The fact its garbage seems to be forgotten.

And I am a hyprocrit.  Sometimes I cant help but save some $$.  I ALWAYS regret it later though.  Just like hookers. 

Good point, however isnt it personal choice?

what gives any one the right to tell another person what they must do and what they must buy???

Cheers!

[Fun Police]

Its looked down apon to own an imported CT yet acceptable to purchase imported HID kits, toyota cars and HP computers.

I think the main reason in this regard is quality of workmanship and materials.

If you buy an HP computer or Toyota, they are all built to a reasonable standard (usually good) as the buying public will be quick to sh!t apon a manufacturer like that who produces a lemon.

With a CT the volumes are very low so there is not a "complaint base" so if it is done shoddily or uses poor quality equipment then the screams are not very loud.

[baldheadedgit]

hasnt this been done numerous dozen times ending in a shi+figh+?

Yes it has, and yes it will....
and i'm staying out of this one       

 

BHG

[graham]

Good point, however isnt it personal choice?

what gives any one the right to tell another person what they must do and what they must buy???

Cheers!

CWK, YOU ARE SMACK ON THE MONEY, if you do not do the legwork yourself ,do not complain . i see plenty of cheap imported tools at work. BARGAINS ,a third of the price of mine. in the commercial field they last about a year maybe 2 tops , mine 7-8 years on still doing a better job/finish than the elcheapos. you get what you pay for. please dont get me wrong i am not picking on the imports ,i have two or three cheap grinders for light work (saves changing wheels/discs over) ,but they are to grind burrs off ,(had them for for or five years now ,but light work only)  but for all my other work it is quality over price all the time. you could have the same argument on that basis between toyota/nissan and a great wall , the cheaper might do the job, but we all know what will do the job . we all know that if you buy price over quality its the wallets/purses fault cannot be my fault    cheers GRAHAM time 4 a beer

[dazzler]

Good point, however isnt it personal choice?

what gives any one the right to tell another person what they must do and what they must buy???

Cheers!

Did you notice I wrote, within your quote,;

Mine is philosophical not personal.

That is why I dont say not to buy from china and even suggest I am a hypocrite for doing the same.  It is worth thinking about though.

[D4D]

hasnt this been done numerous dozen times ending in a shi+figh+?

x infinity

[McGirr]

We all have budgets and its personal choice at what ever we buy. I suppose the grip is when people complain about buying something cheap and expecting it to be as good or better than a product of better quality and price.

I think putting people down at what they buy imported or not is unfair as we all have limited budgets these days.

Mark

[Big Nath]

OK well what about expectations and value. If i paid 30K i would expect the best with minimal to no faults, however at 6k I'm a lot more forgiving.

If a company charges you $500 for a second water tank, how can that be seen as value? you can eBay the tank for 70 and pay <15 for the fittings. Surely a hand full of welds cant be 400.

If you pay 30k is it really 6x better? Honestly?

What about the exception to the "more $ is better quality rule"? I'm sure all of those who bought a ZD30 bang motor thought they were right as they had a brand new expensive car, and all those who bought the first of the 200's, I'm sure they didn't realise they needed shares in Exxon to supply the oil used.

i guess that I'm asking, is more expensive really truly better? or are we as consumers being groomed?

Cheers!

 

[McGirr]

I think you need to work out your budget first then see what is available. To compare a $30k product to a $6k product is a bit strange.

Decide what you want and go from there. Not sure whether you want to justify your budget and you are happy to buy an imported product then all the best.Every ones expectations and perceived value will vary from one person to another.

Mark

[jaycamrie]

..

[dazzler]

i guess that I'm asking, is more expensive really truly better? or are we as consumers being groomed?

Cheers!

Normally better.

Here is an example.  The camper I am building at home probably has 300hours of work in it.  When it came time to get the suspension I was up for around the $2k mark for alko springs, hubs, axle and electric brakes.  I have built heaps of trailers and before this two seperate tandem axle bobcat trailers and used alko.

This time around I could get the lot for $1100 off ebay from a supplier that was 'highly recommended'.  The stuff is from china.  How did it compare.  Its crap.

EG.  The bearing shells were dull not bright.  There was play in the bearings.  The dust caps did not fit correctly and had to be ground around their edge to fit the brake hub.  As I tapped the dust cap on it bent in the middle and crumpled.  The other one did the same (I've done this probably 2000 times and first time it ever happened).

In the end I needed to replace both dust caps and replaced the bearings which meant the cones had to be pushed out as well.  The magnets are flimsy rattle unlike the alko stuff.  The handbrake cable had crappy ubolts that stripped when tightened. 

The axle came with the backing plate axle plates pre welded.  They were welded at an angle so had to be shimmed to get the backing plate square to the wheel.
Sadly I couldnt change the fact that they were also rotationally out of alignment which means that the handbrake levers are not level.

Compare this to the alko stuff.  Unbox it, pack the bearings and bolt it on.

I was stupid and got burnt.  Sure I saved $$ but I know its crap and now I have to save up to buy decent stuff.  Mind you, these are the electric brakes fitted to a lot of the cheap ct's out there.  I bet they didnt swap the crap bearings out either.

Talking CT's, here are two that meet the discussion;

http://giccampertrailers.com.au/off-road-camper-trailers/  $5700.00


7 x 4ft (2100 X 1200mm) Heavy Duty Off Road
High Sides (500mm Deep)
FULL Tube Chassis (50 x 50mm RHS)
Solid square 40mm Axle
Extended Draw Bar 1700mm
Draw Bar Extended to Front Spring Hanger for extra stability and strength
Heavy Duty Draw bar for extra strength 100 x 50mm
NEW Spare Wheel Mounted on Vertical Stand
Heavy Duty 7 leaf Springs
NEW Landcruiser 6 Stud 4WD Sunraysia Mag Wheels
Swing Gate Door (Suitable for Kitchenette) 
Tailgate is Fully Lockable 
Full Checker plate Side Steps
NEW 2011 Double folded Checker Plate Mudguards
8 inch Swing Up Jockey Wheel
x1 Lockable 20L Military Style Jerry Can Holder
x1 Lockable 4KG Gas Bottle Holder
7 Pin Flat Trailer Plug
Full LED Lights fitted, including number plate light.  Providing excellent visibility and long life span
Stabilising Legs (Wind Down spindle supplied)
Trailer Weight: 280kg
Load Capacity (GVM): 750kg



http://www.tambocampers.com.au/Cooper.html   $7890.00

Standard Tent features:-
• 12.1oz Aust core spun Premium canvas
• Heavy duty ‘bucket’ style floor
• Queen size 125mm thick mattress - medium density
• 6 windows plus door
• PVC travel cover
• Awning 2.1m wide with poles and ropes
• Extra Large tent area - 2.3m x 2.7m
• End wall over bed vertical - more head room over bed
• Clear UV stabilised PVC flap on large end window

Trailer

Standard Camper Trailer features
• 2.1m x 1.2m (7'x4') trailer with 480mm (18"+) sides
• Checker-plate construction
• Checker-plate mudguards & in-fills
• Automotive style dust seal on tailgate
• Trailers primed and 2 top coats
• Eye to eye 7 leaf rebound suspension
• Swing up offroad jockey wheel
• Under trailer wiring protection
• 2 rear heavy duty swing down stabiliser legs
• Swing out tailgate
• New 15" Sunraysia style wheels & secondhand tyres
• Upright spare wheel
• 50mm snap coupling
• Carpet on bed base
• Under bed access hatch on gas struts for easy lifting
• Two jerry can holders
• 4kg gas bottle holder
• Shelf on tailgate - fixed or hinged

There is not a lot between them in specs but I would take the Tambo every day of the week and twice on a sunday.  If I had to wait another six months to save up I would.  The top trailer wil even throw in some extras to sweeten the deal.  Still wouldnt sway me as its just lipstick on a pig so to speak.

I dont look down at anyone for anything.    But if they ask then I tell them the truth. 

Just my 2c (and remember, you did ask) 

cheers

[Symon]

Geeez, you lot reckon the electrical threads are bad....

[Estelle]

Geeez, you lot reckon the electrical threads are bad....

X2   

[McGirr]

Geeez, you lot reckon the electrical threads are bad....

But you guys talk some weird language over that side   

At least here its English 

Mark

[Big Nath]

This are the sort of replys i was hoping for, not a mine is better than yours sh!t that always happens.

im simply challanging your thoughts in regards to thre buying process. No fights 

Cheers!

 

[baldheadedgit]

Anyone have a can of petrol i can throw on this to get it going...


BHG

[Big Nath]

FYI all, no i DO NOT import and sell goods here in Aus.

I have been reported as "posting these questions for possible gain"

Whoever reported me, your all class.....

i hope this has been toned down enough! 

Cheers

[Heiny]

Yes it has, and yes it will....
and i'm staying out of this one       

 

BHG

  bubba

[Robertsons]

Yep I thought about it. Toyotas and HP acually work. A bit stupid to compare. Imported campertrailers are weak. Ive looked at many.

[rockman]

A good example ... end of jan I brought an 'evakool' fridge /freezer .
Supposed to a good brand .
Never seen this sort of fridge before but it was what i wanted and had a big " evakool ' sticker on it .
I didnt test it until last week , it wouldnt work .
I contact ' evakool ' , they where great about it , take it straight to the warranty guy and we will get straight back to you .That they did .
They offered me one of their white ' evakool ' fridges .
Turns out the other grey 'evakool' is made in china and was $200 cheaper at the time .

Will i buy chinese stuff .. not if i depend on it ... its just not worth it .

Hats off to ' evakool ' you could not ask for better service , they went far beyond what most compaines would do .

Just what happened to me and what I think anyway

[BigJules]

I am currently in China, at the Canton Fair, the hugest trade exhibition you can imagine.

I buy and manufacture in China, have been burned, but once bitten twice shy and so now invest a lot of time and money in conducting my own QC on everything I purchase, before it ships. This has helped immeasurably.

I had a look at some campers today; they were pathetic. The build quality was appalling and the designs Nd materials were sub-standard. I couldn't help myself, I told the bloke they were rubbish and that he needed to address all the issues I showed him else he would sell a few but only ever a few into Oz.

That said, I've seen some amazing stuff here, wish I had a 40' container in the carpark and that they did samples. And the prices are so keen. In fact, I would say the majority of the goods I have inspected have been first rate at the Fair.