This is a very interesting post. We sailboaters pay extremely high prices for the equipment we use ostensibly because marine applications require special materials and manufacturing processes. We suffer these high prices because we understand the high cost of equipment failure, especially critical components essential to vessel integrity and physical safety. Take a look at the list of recalls from West Marine. Bosun chairs that fail, anchors that don't meet load specifications, defective solenoids on LP gas systems, gas cans that are fire hazards, etc. etc.
Over the past several years most manufacturers have closed their US plants and outsourced their products to Chinese manufacturers there-by enjoying cost reductions that have not been reflected in the prices we pay. I really became aware of the problem when I replaced clevis pins and cotter pins two years ago only to see Chinese made cotter pins rust and corrode to nothing while US made cotter pins only inches away remained in perfect condition.
Now Rocna has fallen victim to substandard Chinese metalurgy, yet in their combative
PR tradition maintain that everything is just fine, no problem. Yes kudos to West Marine for announcing this product deficiency, but then all retailers do the same as it is the manufacturers that bear the onus to recall and repair, replace or refund for deficient products.
As the old addage goes, "you get what you pay for". Unfortunately, when it comes to Chinese products you also pay for what you don't get. I have reached the position that if it is made in China I will do with out before I give them any business.
Join me in a boycott of Chinese manufactured goods?
John
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