buy chinese ?

[Ethel mermania]

Based on this thread, viewtopic.php?f=20&t=466378&start=100

And its getting killed because its an IM hypothetical thread and it is so easy to dogpile on an IM hypothetical thread because well, its an IM hypothetical thread. Anyway I want to modify it a bit to something a bit more specific and to be honest, in this day and age it is not really a hypothetical, because behind it is a decisions most of us make unconsciously on a daily bases.

So for your debating pleasure:

1: Suppose you are a citizen in a western liberal democracy, and more or less support western liberal democratic views

2: The government of the PRC is not really known as a friend of personal freedom, the crackdowns in Hong Kong, the denial of Tiemenen square massacre, the “reeducation” camps for muslims in western china, unfair trade practices, including lax enviormental, worker safety, social credits, being a mass surveillance state, the 9 dash line, stealing Western Intellectual property, etc. etc.

3. Because of some of the above and other factors, Chinese goods, including transportation costs, sell for 20% or so cheaper than goods with comparable quality to a product made in a western country.

So what do you do? Do you buy local and pay more, or buy Chinese and pay less and help support and maintain the PRC.

I try and buy local whenever I can, I only buy Chinese goods when I have too. Now tbf I am a middle class American. I can afford to soak up the difference in purchase price, I don’t worry that the Chinese garlic is cheaper than the American (its not but play along). I specifically look for stuff not made in china. That said there are products that can not be bought that do not contain some Chinese content, or to even know if there is Chinese content in it.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Like I stated on IM’s thread, I go for a pragmatic approach. I buy local but have no qualms with buying the cheaper alternative from a place like China for an item that may be more expensive locally. I do want to save my money when possible.

[The New California Republic]

Some of the stuff I buy is made in China, but if anything a lot of the stuff I buy is made in Germany. Another considerable percentage is made in the rest of the EU, as it is simply labelled as that, so I don't know which specific EU country it comes from. Looking at the stuff around the room I can see a few things that are made in China, such as the computer printer and the scanner. Oh and the desk fan. Or at least I think it is anyway, it doesn't have a mark on it to say where it comes from.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Buy whatever is cheapest and most well made.

[Ethel mermania]

Like I stated on IM’s thread, I go for a pragmatic approach. I buy local but have no qualms with buying the cheaper alternative from a place like China for an item that may be more expensive locally. I do want to save my money when possible.

its not always such a cut and dried decision, its a lot easier to be noble at 5.99 vs 6.79 a lb for fish, as opposed to 300 dollars vs 500 dollars on a 50 inch 4k flat screen.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Like I stated on IM’s thread, I go for a pragmatic approach. I buy local but have no qualms with buying the cheaper alternative from a place like China for an item that may be more expensive locally. I do want to save my money when possible.

its not always such a cut and dried decision, its a lot easier to be noble at 5.99 vs 6.79 a lb for fish, as opposed to 300 dollars vs 500 dollars on a 50 inch 4k flat screen.

Not, it isn’t, but when it is, that’s my approach.

[Ethel mermania]

Buy whatever is cheapest and most well made.

if i may, is it a money issue, or you dont think it would do any good politically, or dont care whether it would do any good or not?

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Food is something that, no matter what, never ever ever buy Chinese.

[Bombadil]

There’s rarely such a thing as buying from a single country anymore.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Buy whatever is cheapest and most well made.

if i may, is it a money issue, or you dont think it would do any good politically, or dont care whether it would do any good or not?

Money issue. I don't really care what country makes a product, as long as it's good and cheap.

I'd prefer to buy Canadian, American, EU, whatever country that is non abusive to it's workers. But at the same time 10$ for 20 pairs of socks is a great bargain and we need the money for food, bills, ect.

So even if it's made in Pakistan, i'd just have to take the 10$ socks.

[Bluelight-R006]

Buy whatever is cheapest and most well made.

Someone knows h[-is/-er] stuff. I don’t care about the Government. And I’m a little selfish.

[The Misconception]

Try to buy locally in general and to fund reuse, second hand etc. Not a fan of China but not particularly out to avoid them specifically, mostly would rather support local producers, the environment (by having less airmail) and second hand is just as cheap as buying from China and quality can be as good as new.

[Ethel mermania]

There’s rarely such a thing as buying from a single country anymore.

Sure there is. Here a lot of things here require country of origination documentation that goes along with the paperwork. When I go to the supermarket, the country of origin is labeled. If i go to whole foods, they tell me the farm its grown on. Most products have a "made in" sticker on them.

If you are talking about electronic components, for the consumer sure they dont know where the chips really come from, but they do mark where it is assembled.

[Ethel mermania]

if i may, is it a money issue, or you dont think it would do any good politically, or dont care whether it would do any good or not?

Money issue. I don't really care what country makes a product, as long as it's good and cheap.

I'd prefer to buy Canadian, American, EU, whatever country that is non abusive to it's workers. But at the same time 10$ for 20 pairs of socks is a great bargain and we need the money for food, bills, ect.

So even if it's made in Pakistan, i'd just have to take the 10$ socks.

Thanks. I think the socks I am wearing today come from vietnam.

[Heloin]

Buy only overseas products but none from China(PRC).

In reality I try and buy local as much as possible but I'm very much in the working class. If I want a new tv or computer, cheaper is often my only option.

[Loben The 2nd]

I avoid chicom shit when possible.

[Aclion]

Recognize that even when you're buying local you're still buying from china, since they're involved up the line.

Embargo China.

[The New California Republic]

Recognize that even when you're buying local you're still buying from china, since they're involved up the line.

Yup. It's likely that the supply chain for various components has been in China at some point.

[Bluelight-R006]

I’ll open up a bit:

I think in my case, I’ll likely buy a mix of PRC-sold goods and otherwise. And I have a few reasons why: (1) PRC-sold goods are cheap, and I don’t think I’ll be able to make a lot of money. Tough times call for tough measures, even if that means supporting something I don’t like. (2) Being politically neutral, I don’t care who I support because I don’t support anyone.

But, I’ll also consider to my pleasure: (3) Is the nearest place to buy items PRC-sold goods or not? Is the process to buy much more painstaking for either options? And not to mention (4), the quality of the goods. Is it durable so I don’t have to keep buying? The Chinese are known for making cheap products, no offence. So I’ll likely buy goods from other places depending on the need for durability. I’d like something ‘everlasting,’ of course, but taking financial expenses in as well.

[Heloin]

Recognize that even when you're buying local you're still buying from china, since they're involved up the line.

Yup. It's likely that the supply chain for various components has been in China at some point.

That's kinda unavoidable in such a globalised economy. Every bit of something comes from somewhere else.

[Valentine Z]

In Burma, Chinese products are nearly unavoidable. If you happen to come across some product, there is like 98% chance that it is from China when it comes to toys and other non-consumable products. As for consumable products, maybe 70% chance that it is from China, indeed. I will try to avoid food and confections from China if possible, considering the lengths they would go when it comes to making food.

As for Singapore, I will simply try to buy local or the brands that I trust - when it especially comes to electronics, it is not worth it to save a few bucks when there is the typical fire risk and all involved. Add that to the fact that you are usually better off buying the actual brand which will last you months if not years, than a Chinese knockoff that will usually break within a few days or weeks.

From the poll, I would say that my option is most likely No. 4: I will try to buy the local stuff or a genuine brand but sometimes... a Chinese product (not necessarily a knockoff) will serve you better for the cost.

[Castelia]

I'll always buy local, if I can help it.

I only tend to buy Chinese if there is no other alternative. And by that, I mean made-by-literally-any-other-country-than-China.

It's part of a personal boycott I'm doing.

[The Free Joy State]

Recognize that even when you're buying local you're still buying from china, since they're involved up the line.

Yup. It's likely that the supply chain for various components has been in China at some point.

Computer components especially.

And to answer Ethel's question, I do avoid buying from countries (and companies) I disagree with where its affordable to so; but I do have some Chinese-manufactured electronics. But, as Ethel says, it's easier to be virtuous over small items like food and clothing.

But I can't afford an expensive, ethical computer hand-assembled in the Alps by singing nuns.

[Bluelight-R006]

From the poll, I would say that my option is most likely No. 4: I will try to buy the local stuff or a genuine brand but sometimes... a Chinese product (not necessarily a knockoff) will serve you better for the cost.

Yep, reminder that Chinese products aren’t necessarily knockoffs. Sometimes they can match up to other countries’ products... that makes me the difference of being a buyer of both and buyer of just one option.

[Valentine Z]

Computer components especially.

And to answer Ethel's question, I do avoid buying from countries (and companies) I disagree with where its affordable to so; but I do have some Chinese-manufactured electronics. But, as Ethel says, it's easier to be virtuous over small items like food and clothing.

But I can't afford an expensive, ethical computer hand-assembled in the Alps by singing nuns.

You just gotta believeeeee! Maybe there is a tech company ran by singing nuns, hand-crafted to tailor your needs. Though... that will probably cost a few ten-hundred thousands.

Jokes aside, yeah, it's hard to avoid when it comes to tech stuff like computers or phones, due to the components involved. As for clothings, food, toys, smaller electronic devices, I think we can avoid the Chinese products.