Originally posted by thomasward00
I do live in the real world, the fact is that the U.S. is the biggest economy in the world and that we are the biggest consumers, so all of this free trade is hurting the U.S. not the third world countries. I have no problem with foreign companies such as European or Asian building their products their and importing into the U.S. and competing, the problem that I have is American companies that at the expense of U.S. workers save money by building their product overseas in third world countries and then turning around and charging the same prices as products made here at a higher cost, and no the companies that build in the U.S. aren't stupid they are doing the right thing by their country and they still make a buck. I have no problem with other countries trying to do better for themselves, just not at our expense.
I live in the UK and have lived here my entire life. I think that you will find that many of the "third world Asian countries" you refer to are actually VERY advanced when it comes to the manufacturing industry. Their processes are very cost efficient, and this is not because of low wages. You are comparing Asian wages to American and European wages which is a foolish thing to do because you have not taken into account the cost of living,(Food, housing, entertainment etc is very much cheaper in Asia) so relatively speaking, the workers are being paid a fair wage. I would also dispute the fact that they are sweatshop workers. Many of these are very highly skilled technicians, such as you would expect to find in America, the UK or elsewhere in the "developed world".
I think you have missed the point about free trade entirely. The whole point is that companies and factories compete for contracts on a global basis, which emans that the place that offers the best bang for the buck will get the contract. I have generally found that Asian products (and I am not just talking about bike parts here) tend to be of a lot higher quality than American products in the same price bracket. (I don't know whether the yanks ship the **** abroad or whether American manufacturing is not of a very high standard)European goods tend to be of an incredibly high standard (French, UK, German and Italian in particular) but even over here tend to carry premium prices.
I get the impression that Americans see "free trade" as other countries buying goods from worldwide sources (incl USA), but that American companies should buy and build American so to speak. Open your eyes, because you will find that other countries are better than you in certain areas. If it costs Americans so much more to do the job then why should they get the contract? You could almost argue why is it costing Trek so much to put out a bike that is only of equal quality of a Giant bike costing the same amount? Surely Treak are the ones who have mades the mistake and Giant are simply taking advantage of it. It's all part of free-trade and competition. if the Trek was so superior then nobody would buy the "overpriced" Giant would they?!
A good example is the different in speccing that UK bikes and USA bikes will come with. Your prices will generally be £100 - £300 cheaper, but will come with a much lower grade of components as stock.
If I had to choose between a bike built exclusively in Asia or a bike built exclusively in America then I would buy the Japenese bike, because the American bike would have very few components since the big 2 (shimano and campag) are based outside the US. I guess Cannondale are the exception but they are a total pain in the **** because the seem to be deliberately incompatible with every one else. Americans being Americans eh? ;-)
Regards
Dave
DISCLAIMER:-
:- This post is not intended to be racist against Americans, it is simply intended to point out to our friend Thomasward00 that he has sadly got confused.
:- All the words above, except where quotes have been used are my own.
:- By reading the above post you have waived your right to sue me on ANY grounds relating to ANY letter of the above post.
