14 ms·

3 In 10 Americans Will Not Knowingly Buy Chinese-Owned Brands

36 points by dwshorowitz 13y ago

sc00ter 13y ago
3 In 10 Americans claim they Will Not Knowingly Buy Chinese-Owned Brands I suspect the reality is wildly different to the survey result - after all, "made in China" is hardly a secret.
- martingordon 13y ago
  There's a difference between a Chinese-owned brand and a Chinese-made product. I think most Americans are fine buying Chinese-made goods but Chinese brands are seen as being of inferior quality.
  - btian 13y ago
    As if Chinese made goods are not perceived as inferior. Claims are just claims after all.
    - seanmcdirmid 13y ago
      In China, Chinese brands are considered inferior to western ones, even if everything is made here. They compete on price alone mostly.
- gcb0 13y ago
  the conclusion on that page does not talk how they worked that misconception out of the answers. so i bet they didn't.
- rgbrenner 13y ago
  from the same website as the article: 94% of Americans Cannot Name One Chinese Brand. https://www.hdtradeservices.com/blog/Ninety+Four+Percent+of+American+Consumers+Cannot+Name+One+Chinese+Brand https://www.hdtradeservices.com/blog/Ninety+Four+Percent+of+... So apparently, there aren't any Chinese companies making a point of telling people they are Chinese, and US consumers don't care enough to look for the "Made in ..." notice.
yoster 13y ago
I don't care what country owns the brand as long as it is dependable and well made. Chinese products have a big stigma of being cheaply made. There are also a lot of reports of products from China containing unhealthy levels of lead. It would be great if most of the products being sold are made in your home country, but until prices are matched, it would be a while until that happens.
- icebraining 13y ago
  It would be great if most of the products being sold are made in your home country Why?
  - angersock 13y ago
    If nothing else, shortened supply chains mean more responsive product development, and in general help promote the general notion of localized/efficient goods production and distribution.
    - bradddd 13y ago
      To some extent yes, but advances have got to the point that spatial separation isn't nearly the handicap it used to be. Take Apple manufacturing for instance. They hardly ever carry an excess inventory.
  - weisser 13y ago
    Presumably because they would like to support people closer to home. International commerce is very important for exchange of ideas and cultures and is enriching for all involved so long as the makers of the goods aren't being exploited as is sometimes the case.
    - icebraining 13y ago
      Presumably because they would like to support people closer to home But does making most of the stuff locally really do that? By making e.g. cellphones here, you need to either pay Americans the same as Chinese workers make, or make Americans pay much higher prices for their cellphones. How does that help people closer to home? Seems like an handicap to me.
tdignan 13y ago
Of course the same 3/10 Americans will not flinch when they buy Chinese manufactured iPods and other gadgets. Since, China doesn't own the brand. It's clearly not about nationalism, but about a general distaste for China. The same Americans will probably snag a BMW or a Mercedes without a second thought. For those of you defending Chinese made goods, that's understandable. I don't think anyone should take a nationalist viewpoint on these issues. However, you should note that political prisoners in China's Laogai are often manufacturing some of the Chinese goods you consume, which are not labeled as such, and made in violation of Chinese law. A quick google turns up this: http://laogai.org/system/files/pdf/inland_web.pdf http://laogai.org/system/files/pdf/inland_web.pdf More googling will inevitably turn up that products such as sesame street (tm) slippers, toilet paper, and other big box store staples are made this way. See also: http://laogai.org/blog/laogai-museum-window-china%E2%80%99s-human-rights-disaster http://laogai.org/blog/laogai-museum-window-china%E2%80%99s-... Though the term "Laogai" is dated and China stopped referring to them that way in the 90s, a documentary by Al-Jazeera English (Which got the news network EXPELLED from China) makes me think a lot different: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/slaverya21stcenturyevil/2011/10/2011101091153782814.html http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/slaverya21stcenturyevil/... http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/05/201257195136608563.html http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/05/201257195...
driverdan 13y ago
"This survey was commissioned by HDTS and conducted by Survata, a web-based survey company." Yeah, we all know how reliable those are.
- thrownaway2424 13y ago
  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/us/politics/the-techniques-behind-the-most-accurate-polls.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/us/politics/the-techniques...
Elepsis 13y ago
"Knowingly" seems to be the key word here: if you surveyed most Americans (or consumers elsewhere, for that matter) on how many of them know the country of origin for most brands, the results would be very hit or miss. I don't think too many people realize or remember that Samsung is Korean, nor that Nokia is Finnish. And to a concrete example of a Chinese company, I think hardly anyone knows Lenovo's origins. The article even points out as much: in many cases, the Chinese brands go out of their way to do nothing that would reveal themselves to be Chinese brands. And by the time the brand is successful in a country, I'd suspect that brand's origin will matter very little.
- obviouslygreen 13y ago
  Yes, but is this really relevant? You can't actively do or not do something at all unless you do so "knowingly." Of course it's an important part of the question, but even there it's redundant, and belaboring it seems pointless.
fotbr 13y ago
There are some things I will not buy if they're made in some countries, of which China is just one. There are other things that I don't care where in the world they were produced. There's a definite relationship between the length of time I expect to own or use a product, the country's reputation for products of that type, and which of the two categories it falls in.
- eksith 13y ago
  I feel the same way. You can infer quality by the packaging (and country of manufacture) in some cases, but other times it's a tossup between Chinese, Indian, U.S. or wherever else. The safest bet it is to limit purchases by reputation for that particular type of item depending on cost and lifetime.
- incision 13y ago
  >There's a definite relationship between the length of time I expect to own or use a product, the country's reputation for products of that type, and which of the two categories it falls in. Same. How I intend to use (entertainment vs work) the product and the implications of its failure (annoyance vs injury) factor as well.
aristus 13y ago
This is why Chinese companies buy older American brands. GE and RCA come to mind.
dhughes 13y ago
One day at home we played a game where we all reached for some random thing within arms reach and I think it was 8 out of 10 had 'Made in China' on them somewhere.
rdl 13y ago
I sort of avoid food from China. Oddly, chemicals from China are ok, but I rationalize because they're in milligram quantities, so impurities are also relatively small, and they get GC/MS'd. I also avoid software/security products from China and Chinese-controlled entities. To some extent, I'd like to include hardware, but that's essentially impossible. I avoid Huawei and ZTE at least, but I still buy Apple, Lenovo, etc. I would probably not trust security software written by a Chinese citizen in the US who had extensive ongoing personal/family connections to China. I would use a game, and probably general purpose stuff. It makes me sad that this position is justified by the threat environment. I tend to feel the same way about most of Eastern Europe/Russia, too, although perhaps less acutely. The horrible thing about all of this is that Chinese and fUSSR developers are some of the smartest/best in the world.
- jisaacstone 13y ago
  It makes me sad that this position is justified by the threat environment. No it is not. It is a reactionary position. Unless you have some evidence to back up your behaviours, you are just being paranoid.
kqr2 13y ago
A journalist tried to go for a year without buying anything from China. It was challenging. A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy http://www.amazon.com/Year-Without-Made-China-Adventure/dp/0470379200/ http://www.amazon.com/Year-Without-Made-China-Adventure/dp/0...
drucken 13y ago
Given the US's annual trade deficit with China is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars and growing every year by some $20 billion (i.e. an extra month's worth of trade balance per annum), surveys of this kind are not worth the pixels they are printed on.
shirro 13y ago
Ownership doesn't bother me as much as quality control. Cheap stuff often compromises quality regardless of source. As much as possible I try not to buy food sourced from outside Australia or New Zealand as I don't trust the regulatory environments elsewhere and don't want to be eating European mystery meat or Chinese melamine. I don't really care about source so much if it is a phone or tv.
trackofalljades 13y ago
I guess it's a good thing for them that's almost entirely impossible then...so I guess they'll just have to enjoy ignorance.
lcentdx 13y ago
Yeah, but... actually export products already have much better quality control than domestic-oriented products we ordinary chinese consume everyday, except our great leaders who have special farms around the countries producing organic "特供品"s for them) , We envy you Americans! At the outskirt of my city there's a special farming zone producing high quality vegetables for Japan, I always wonder what dose that taste like, must be very delicious. There're many merchants/stores here selling defective items (B品/外單） western companies rejected. It's very popular among young people, especially clothes.

36 points by dwshorowitz 13y ago

3 In 10 Americans claim they Will Not Knowingly Buy Chinese-Owned Brands I suspect the reality is wildly different to the survey result - after all, "made in China" is hardly a secret.

martingordon 13y ago
There's a difference between a Chinese-owned brand and a Chinese-made product. I think most Americans are fine buying Chinese-made goods but Chinese brands are seen as being of inferior quality.
- btian 13y ago
  As if Chinese made goods are not perceived as inferior. Claims are just claims after all.
  - seanmcdirmid 13y ago
    In China, Chinese brands are considered inferior to western ones, even if everything is made here. They compete on price alone mostly.
gcb0 13y ago
the conclusion on that page does not talk how they worked that misconception out of the answers. so i bet they didn't.
rgbrenner 13y ago
from the same website as the article: 94% of Americans Cannot Name One Chinese Brand. https://www.hdtradeservices.com/blog/Ninety+Four+Percent+of+American+Consumers+Cannot+Name+One+Chinese+Brand https://www.hdtradeservices.com/blog/Ninety+Four+Percent+of+... So apparently, there aren't any Chinese companies making a point of telling people they are Chinese, and US consumers don't care enough to look for the "Made in ..." notice.

yoster 13y ago

I don't care what country owns the brand as long as it is dependable and well made. Chinese products have a big stigma of being cheaply made. There are also a lot of reports of products from China containing unhealthy levels of lead. It would be great if most of the products being sold are made in your home country, but until prices are matched, it would be a while until that happens.

icebraining 13y ago
It would be great if most of the products being sold are made in your home country Why?
- angersock 13y ago
  If nothing else, shortened supply chains mean more responsive product development, and in general help promote the general notion of localized/efficient goods production and distribution.
  - bradddd 13y ago
    To some extent yes, but advances have got to the point that spatial separation isn't nearly the handicap it used to be. Take Apple manufacturing for instance. They hardly ever carry an excess inventory.
- weisser 13y ago
  Presumably because they would like to support people closer to home. International commerce is very important for exchange of ideas and cultures and is enriching for all involved so long as the makers of the goods aren't being exploited as is sometimes the case.
  - icebraining 13y ago
    Presumably because they would like to support people closer to home But does making most of the stuff locally really do that? By making e.g. cellphones here, you need to either pay Americans the same as Chinese workers make, or make Americans pay much higher prices for their cellphones. How does that help people closer to home? Seems like an handicap to me.

tdignan 13y ago

Of course the same 3/10 Americans will not flinch when they buy Chinese manufactured iPods and other gadgets. Since, China doesn't own the brand. It's clearly not about nationalism, but about a general distaste for China. The same Americans will probably snag a BMW or a Mercedes without a second thought. For those of you defending Chinese made goods, that's understandable. I don't think anyone should take a nationalist viewpoint on these issues. However, you should note that political prisoners in China's Laogai are often manufacturing some of the Chinese goods you consume, which are not labeled as such, and made in violation of Chinese law. A quick google turns up this: http://laogai.org/system/files/pdf/inland_web.pdf http://laogai.org/system/files/pdf/inland_web.pdf More googling will inevitably turn up that products such as sesame street (tm) slippers, toilet paper, and other big box store staples are made this way. See also: http://laogai.org/blog/laogai-museum-window-china%E2%80%99s-human-rights-disaster http://laogai.org/blog/laogai-museum-window-china%E2%80%99s-... Though the term "Laogai" is dated and China stopped referring to them that way in the 90s, a documentary by Al-Jazeera English (Which got the news network EXPELLED from China) makes me think a lot different: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/slaverya21stcenturyevil/2011/10/2011101091153782814.html http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/slaverya21stcenturyevil/... http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/05/201257195136608563.html http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/05/201257195...

driverdan 13y ago

"This survey was commissioned by HDTS and conducted by Survata, a web-based survey company." Yeah, we all know how reliable those are.

thrownaway2424 13y ago
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/us/politics/the-techniques-behind-the-most-accurate-polls.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/us/politics/the-techniques...

Elepsis 13y ago

"Knowingly" seems to be the key word here: if you surveyed most Americans (or consumers elsewhere, for that matter) on how many of them know the country of origin for most brands, the results would be very hit or miss. I don't think too many people realize or remember that Samsung is Korean, nor that Nokia is Finnish. And to a concrete example of a Chinese company, I think hardly anyone knows Lenovo's origins. The article even points out as much: in many cases, the Chinese brands go out of their way to do nothing that would reveal themselves to be Chinese brands. And by the time the brand is successful in a country, I'd suspect that brand's origin will matter very little.

obviouslygreen 13y ago
Yes, but is this really relevant? You can't actively do or not do something at all unless you do so "knowingly." Of course it's an important part of the question, but even there it's redundant, and belaboring it seems pointless.

fotbr 13y ago

There are some things I will not buy if they're made in some countries, of which China is just one. There are other things that I don't care where in the world they were produced. There's a definite relationship between the length of time I expect to own or use a product, the country's reputation for products of that type, and which of the two categories it falls in.

eksith 13y ago
I feel the same way. You can infer quality by the packaging (and country of manufacture) in some cases, but other times it's a tossup between Chinese, Indian, U.S. or wherever else. The safest bet it is to limit purchases by reputation for that particular type of item depending on cost and lifetime.
incision 13y ago
>There's a definite relationship between the length of time I expect to own or use a product, the country's reputation for products of that type, and which of the two categories it falls in. Same. How I intend to use (entertainment vs work) the product and the implications of its failure (annoyance vs injury) factor as well.

aristus 13y ago

This is why Chinese companies buy older American brands. GE and RCA come to mind.

dhughes 13y ago

One day at home we played a game where we all reached for some random thing within arms reach and I think it was 8 out of 10 had 'Made in China' on them somewhere.

rdl 13y ago

I sort of avoid food from China. Oddly, chemicals from China are ok, but I rationalize because they're in milligram quantities, so impurities are also relatively small, and they get GC/MS'd. I also avoid software/security products from China and Chinese-controlled entities. To some extent, I'd like to include hardware, but that's essentially impossible. I avoid Huawei and ZTE at least, but I still buy Apple, Lenovo, etc. I would probably not trust security software written by a Chinese citizen in the US who had extensive ongoing personal/family connections to China. I would use a game, and probably general purpose stuff. It makes me sad that this position is justified by the threat environment. I tend to feel the same way about most of Eastern Europe/Russia, too, although perhaps less acutely. The horrible thing about all of this is that Chinese and fUSSR developers are some of the smartest/best in the world.

jisaacstone 13y ago
It makes me sad that this position is justified by the threat environment. No it is not. It is a reactionary position. Unless you have some evidence to back up your behaviours, you are just being paranoid.

kqr2 13y ago

A journalist tried to go for a year without buying anything from China. It was challenging. A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy http://www.amazon.com/Year-Without-Made-China-Adventure/dp/0470379200/ http://www.amazon.com/Year-Without-Made-China-Adventure/dp/0...

drucken 13y ago

Given the US's annual trade deficit with China is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars and growing every year by some $20 billion (i.e. an extra month's worth of trade balance per annum), surveys of this kind are not worth the pixels they are printed on.

shirro 13y ago

Ownership doesn't bother me as much as quality control. Cheap stuff often compromises quality regardless of source. As much as possible I try not to buy food sourced from outside Australia or New Zealand as I don't trust the regulatory environments elsewhere and don't want to be eating European mystery meat or Chinese melamine. I don't really care about source so much if it is a phone or tv.

trackofalljades 13y ago

I guess it's a good thing for them that's almost entirely impossible then...so I guess they'll just have to enjoy ignorance.

lcentdx 13y ago

Yeah, but... actually export products already have much better quality control than domestic-oriented products we ordinary chinese consume everyday, except our great leaders who have special farms around the countries producing organic "特供品"s for them) , We envy you Americans! At the outskirt of my city there's a special farming zone producing high quality vegetables for Japan, I always wonder what dose that taste like, must be very delicious. There're many merchants/stores here selling defective items (B品/外單） western companies rejected. It's very popular among young people, especially clothes.