Tomei Parts Counterfeit Warning

[RSi]

I want to challenge the notion that a $100 Chinese knockoff does the same thing as a more expensive JDM part. Let's assume it's made to the same quality standards - a stretch, but Chinese quality IS improving - and look at the underlying issues that may not be immediately obvious to those who think of no one but themselves.

The injustice to technology developers has been well discussed here - although some still don't get it.

Another key issue to me is that human rights abuse and labour injustice in China are horribly common. I'd like everyone who seeks out cheap goods made off the backs the average Chinese factory worker to go work in one of those factories for, say, a year. And live in the places those workers live. And eat the food they eat. If you can still make your purchasing decisions based on price alone AND can look in the mirror without vomiting at what you see, then you should go back and work for $600/month - assuming you're skilled enough to get one of the really good jobs.

Things are changing in China. I think the recent wave of strikes at Chinese factories is the tip of the iceberg and we're going to see their labour costs increase, and the price advantage narrow.

Until then, just do the right thing.

Dan

Well Dr Laura, you're a better man than me....

I can wear my Nike shoes, and rock my Freddy plenum, and contribute to whatever other horrible acts that western nations are inflicting on the world, and still sleep at night

[DreadedFist]

Well Dr Laura, you're a better man than me....

I can wear my Nike shoes, and rock my Freddy plenum, and contribute to whatever other horrible acts that western nations are inflicting on the world, and still sleep at night

Well you're a bit of a sociopath rich, which is why we love you. I don't think China will change much from where they are now. Cheap labour is why they are doing so well. If labour prices go up, so does the price of the end product at the Apple store, or Sears, or anywhere else. This doesn't bode well for anyone. The Chinese start losing jobs, we stop buying fancy clothes because the prices go up 200%, and Apple, Microsoft, and all the other electrogiants start losing tons of cash.

It is in the worlds best interest that China remain full of poorly paid factory workers, and it is in China's best interest that they remain poorly paid, because if prices go up, they go back to being uneducated peasants with no job at all. And that's what makes up these factories. People with no education and no hope to better their lives beyond working a production line. People can campaign for the rights of Chinese workers, and they will do so right up until a pair of jeans suddenly costs $40.00 more than usual. People already struggle to get by as it is. Prices go up? Bad news.

Dat's my 2 cents.

[r3gill]

I want to challenge the notion that a $100 Chinese knockoff does the same thing as a more expensive JDM part. Let's assume it's made to the same quality standards - a stretch, but Chinese quality IS improving - and look at the underlying issues that may not be immediately obvious to those who think of no one but themselves.

The injustice to technology developers has been well discussed here - although some still don't get it.

Another key issue to me is that human rights abuse and labour injustice in China are horribly common. I'd like everyone who seeks out cheap goods made off the backs the average Chinese factory worker to go work in one of those factories for, say, a year. And live in the places those workers live. And eat the food they eat. If you can still make your purchasing decisions based on price alone AND can look in the mirror without vomiting at what you see, then you should go back and work for $600/month - assuming you're skilled enough to get one of the really good jobs.

Things are changing in China. I think the recent wave of strikes at Chinese factories is the tip of the iceberg and we're going to see their labour costs increase, and the price advantage narrow.

Until then, just do the right thing.

Dan

and yet they are superpower!!! This world is all about saving few $$$ it always has been and will be in the future.

[EMAGDNIM]

I still don't get the justification of buying knockoff goods but whatever helps you sleep at night

[mitch32]

The Chinese knock-offs are horrible, I've seen them first hand they don't fit properly or work at all the way they are supposed to. Just yesterday I installed a Chinese knock-off cold air for someone yesterday on a Mazda 3 and it was a nightmare. The couplers, the filter, and the mounting bracket all didn't work or fit properly. I had to force it to fit, by modifying and bending it.

With all that said Tomei manufactures some of their stuff in China, someone easily got a hold of the drawings and copied it.

[RSi]

Thats a pretty blanket statement. There is some HIGH quality chinese knockoff stuff too....

The Chinese knock-offs are horrible, I've seen them first hand they don't fit properly or work at all the way they are supposed to. Just yesterday I installed a Chinese knock-off cold air for someone yesterday on a Mazda 3 and it was a nightmare. The couplers, the filter, and the mounting bracket all didn't work or fit properly. I had to force it to fit, by modifying and bending it.

With all that said Tomei manufactures some of their stuff in China, someone easily got a hold of the drawings and copied it.

[GTRC Admin]

The argument of whether Chinese parts are good or bad quality is an opinion and will never end.

The purpose of this post was to inform the public about counterfeit parts being produced, and to educate them so that they would not fall victim to the deception.
I think this thread has served it's purpose.