Originally Posted By: benjamming
Good point. However, companies that move mfg to China are typically looking for shortcuts that will rear its ugly head somewhere.
IMO it is the opposite. An efficient business decided to find low cost solution when building new plants or upgrade production equipment, and they decided to put them in lower cost area like China/Taiwan for mass production. Those who stay in America usually are the ones who couldn't afford to outsource (it cost a lot of money to outsource, and for small production it is not worth the expense and risk of dropped quality) stay in the US using the same technologies from 30 years ago, until the market completely dies out.
Of course, in the end it boils down to how the business and production is run, and there are great products and junks that came out of both sides. I will keep buying whatever the best price for the good quality products, not the outrageous price for the best with marginal difference, nor the slightly cheaper but "fall apart in 2 weeks" junks, but the best price for reasonably good quality, preferably locally made. But if it is not possible to buy local made products, then I wouldn't buy local junk over a quality outsource.