China's labor pricing skyrockets
356727
I had really fell in love with these headphones after trying them out a few times, so I decided to buy one for myself. The packaging is nice, it comes with a small bag for you to put it in and the cable is removable. I was really excited to plug them in, and the hype really paid off. That was before the earpads started falling apart about a year later, almost as if it had leprosy. Now I have to buy a replacement pair for those, which cost $35 on Bose's website.

After unboxing it and trying the headphones on my phone, I decided to try them out on my computer, which has a better sound card. The sound card is able to toggle between high and low impedance, so I went to check what was the impedance of QC25's speakers. Bose's website didn't help at all and apparently not even the all-knowing Google has any idea what the impedance is. So, I plugged them in on the low impedance setting, which apparently wasn't right because it sounded absolutely unbearable, but I'm also too afraid to try them on the high impedance setting, because it might be just a problem with my sound card and it might fry the circuits of the headphones. At this point I'm stuck with the audio quality of my phone and poorly built headphones.

Also, using them without the noise cancellation turned on is not a good idea. It sounds lifeless and muffled, as if you were listening to music through a speaker with a pillow in front of it.
1733809
We live i a business world that is greatly evolving. Growing more diverse and intricate then the day before. Now the entire world has become the complex network for business deals and company growth. My software company is quickly beginning to expand. Actually, its expanding at a rate in which I did not expect at all. And of course, with expansion, comes possible interaction with outside sources. That is when the issue of doing business with other countries came up. Primarily China, who was our first target.

Mind you, I know nothing about Chinese culture and business procedures, so I took to the internet and ended up finding this life-saving, wonderfully informative book about doing business with the Chinese. It covered everything from table manners, Chinese etiquette, gift giving and even went as far as saying who were the wealthy people we should tackle (which truly did help a lot).

We are setting up a meeting with a Chinese investor next Monday and thanks to this book, I feel more than prepared.
116025
Page 157-58 my book
Chinese people are just about everywhere, Shuai Yuhua said, again erupting in laughter. You should never go anywhere where there are no Chinese.
Is that because such places are too dangerous? I asked.
Wrong. Its because those are places where it is impossible to make money.

This is a fascinating account of Chinas impact on Africa. It is a recent phenomenon and I do feel the full repercussions will be upon us sooner than we think. China is not just the future world power, in many ways it is currently the most dynamic power of our time  at least economically. They are now exporting their remarkable can do to Africa.

There are many aspects the author examines. And he is quite capable - speaking in English, French and Mandarin.

One aspect is that all kinds of businesses are being set-up by the Chinese  from small by the side of the road stalls (similar to what we see in China-towns across North America) to vast enterprises like soccer stadiums, hydro-electric plants and the like.

There are many candid conversations with both Africans and Chinese. Many Africans appreciate the level of expertise and technology that the Chinese are bringing. They do not appreciate that the Chinese are bringing their own labour, they do not disclose the work to be done with its environmental effects, the wages the Africans receive are often below the minimum wage set by the government, and often no health regulations are followed, in mine-work for example.

The Chinese appreciate the opportunities they are presented with in Africa. Competition, stress, overcrowding is fierce in China  so, many, find in Africa, a land of opportunity. I could not help but feel, just as there is corruption in business deals in China; these same practises were easily transplanted to Africa.

The author points out that in African countries where the natural resources are abundant, is where greater disparity exists between rich and poor. The Chinese entrepreneurs simply give huge bribes to those in power to get their business established. The wealth does not trickle down, it stays and accumulates at the top.

The author discusses how the Chinese are similar and dissimilar to former colonial powers. The Chinese are now intent on hard structural development. Western powers are geared more towards soft development such as containment of AIDS. Obviously, as the author acknowledges, this is an over-generalization.

There are suppose to be at least one million Chinese now in Africa, and this is a conservative estimate. And more are coming. Think of that  a European country, or even the U.S., could not come close to having a million people who would choose to emigrate to Africa. China could easily find another one million to go. The Chinese currently in Africa are urging their family and friends to come over. Many of the Chinese the author interviewed are in Africa for keeps.

The significance of this will continue to grow for years to come. This is an engrossing book on a topic that we in the West are barely aware of.
75941
Can't beat the price vs value.  the directions are in Chinese, but there is a translation app.  It took two downloads, but now works well.
2858082
With this being a "Made in China" product I crossed my fingers when ordering.  What a surprise when I opened the package.  Both cutter and crimper exceeded my expectations.  I am using it to re-construct a 12V power system in a travel trailer, crimping a bunch of connectors on #4 AWG wire.  Has worked flawlessly and I firmly believe it would hold up to to "tradesman use" as well.

Appearance, feel, and operation was a lot more "premium" than what I expected for the price.
533232
There are several articles in this issue discussing China's system of state capitalism and the outsize effect their economy has on the free market capitalism of the western nations.
1581726
They are great scissors for Chinese paper cutting activity.  Though, the price of this size is much higher than other sizes.
4763834
First of all I do not have the opportunity to read this book yet, but as The Economist has a book review on this week's edition, I would like to comment something I witness first hand and probably the author has not addressed.

During a recent trade show in Hong Kong, where a lot of manufacturers located in Guangdong province participate, you can see many grim faces because the economy is bad and there are not many orders around to feed the hundred of thousands of people in the manufacturing/export industry.

And in many occasions, I was told by factory owners/managers that foreign agents, especially Americans I have to emphasize, would come to your booth and try to knock 30% of your already discounted, really low manufacturing price.  In the process they would even "wave" the order in front of you in humiliating fashion.

You really have to wonder if these Americans really expect everything to be dirt cheap or even free of charge in China.  They would just come and order eight thousand of that model, three thousand of that model, and you have to deliver by this coming Monday otherwise this would be a breach of contract and they would sue you for any damage.  And in the meantime, you as a factory owner, are actually not making any money because you just want to keep feeding your three thousand poor employees who are the bread winners of they families, located in some remote villages thousands of miles away from Guangdong province.

In conclusion, I think the poor quality of SOME of Chinese made products is a result of a vicious circle in which Americans are chasing after ever lower production prices, and quite honestly, this vicious circle is as unsustainable as the ever higher US house prices.

Nobody wants to harm any American children by putting lead in the paint of the toys.  By the way, the factory owner of this incident was actually duped, and has committed suicide.  But when American has this author to tell their side of story, I wonder when the Chinese can have their chance to tell their side of, most often, terribly sadder stories.
3588641
Don't miss the chance to experience this outstanding text, superbly written by an amazing and talented author, John Kuhns.  Jack Davis, the fictional character in China Fortunes began doing business with China in the 1980's (like the author, John Kuhns), when labor costs in China were much lower and profits much higher.  His first IPO resulted much too easily, but the lessons learned afterward are harsh.  Into the book, we find the main thrust of the story takes us on a journey of the difficulties that foreign business people dealt with in China in the 80's.  A sub-plot develops surrounding Davis' deep feelings of the finer things in life---ah, women; and trout fishing.  Davis' in his day to day struggles, literally climbs mountains to achieve his investment goals, and learns the water can't be too clean for the fish to survive.  So it is with business in China, Jack Davis discovers.  While Davis is striving to catch the biggest fish or zunyi, the mystery of "Reality is disappointing, Jack, China is better" unravels as you turn the pages.  Within the covers of this novel, you will be moved, and you if you love reading about people who are driven to succeed, "China Fortunes" is a must read.
2013720
China ruins another company. They began manufacturing in the US and gained a market based upon performance. Then, to increase profit, they farmed out the production to China. China manufactures crap unless you put a QC employee right on top of them, and that may not fix the problem. I was going to buy one of these then realized the new and improved models were simply a poor version of the original made in China. Too bad, I see this more and more in every product. China likes to knock of products they like, make them for their own profit at a higher quality than those going to the US thereby knocking off the competition.
3473328
Seems like there is one Chinese company making this exact version for 8 different distribution companies. I waited to pick one up on over Christmas sale season and I am very pleased with it. Hefty weight to it. Can maneuver into a multitude of positions. One leg even comes off as a monopod and you can invert the ball head if you want. the twist tighteners seem to work pretty well. The head swivel for panning seems very smooth. I am coming from using a cheap $25 piece of junk that I had laying around for a few years. Used this one about 4-5 times so far and am very happy with it for the $80 I spent.
3639550
I have only read interviews of the author, but one thing about the praise reviews here is notable to me.  I have spent a lot of time in China. so this comment comes from an opinion formed by listening to upper-echelon Chinese themselves.  The comment is this:  do not compare the acquisition of wealth in China to the kind more familiar to Westerners, i.e., the quasi-piratical, carefully calibrated corruption of legislatures to make accural "legally" possible.  The 'justice system"  and the legislative system in China are run by the Dictatorship of the Proletariat still. Prison labor is the backbone of the economy.  Those in prison have had no fair trial in the Western sense.  Wealth in China has an even more problematic basis than it does in the West, and I personally can't laugh at it.
359287
While it was cheaper than "franchise" auto parts stores, I found the price, for such a simple connector outrageously expensive.  It was simple to put on and worked great.  Interestingly enough, I found the same connector (afterwards) for half the price and free shipping, Chinese products are NOT priced out of range and their quality is on a par with US made......to boot, many of these items sold as "US" are actually made in China.
3971434
A very interesting and intriguing look at labor and it's costs.  Not just locally, but on a national scale as well.  I would recommend this book to all business owners or managers who want to know their rights and to better understand them.
873765
Dwight H. Perkins delivered this essay as part of The Henry Wendt Lecture Series on May 9, 2006.  All of us are concerned about China, its rapid growth, and what that will mean for the world (and, really, the problems it could mean for us).

Perkins surveys the China's post Mao history (since 1978, so a bit after) and the wrenching changes the country has undergone.  He also takes a look at various approaches to China's future growth.  Most people do have some concern that China's per capita income can be a quarter of ours and their economy will surpass ours in overall size.  Of course, they still have a long way to go.

The section on the sources of political tension within China is fascinating.  The changes and urbanization of China are straining the capacities of the cities and even building them fast enough.  It also has a big implication on the 200 or 300 million migrant workers that keep their agriculture working.  On top of that, the population is aging rapidly because of the one child policy.  One cannot believably view China's future as clear sailing to global economic domination.  Just remember the concern so many had about Japan in the 1980s.  Yes, there are many differences between Japan then and China now, but it is still a relevant cautionary tale.

However, the economic expansion within China is going to necessarily have a big impact on the rest of the globe.  We will not only compete for basic resources, but the markets for advanced goods and services will also be affected by such a mammoth nation and its output.  However, as it grows, its internal demand will also skyrocket.  Many of the resources now used by China for exports will be demanded by its own people, so things will change again.  Also, the tremendous pollution it now accepts as part of economic growth will almost certainly be rejected as people become better off.  Also, the effects of this pollution on other nations will likely be the subject of intense political negotiations.

A very interesting lecture and a lot for us to think about.  It is less than fifty pages long and something anyone interested in China and its place in the world will want to read.
4202266
High quality item. Not always the case for products made in China.
2221106
This product was made in China and its price was way too high.
I found the same product from other sellers at only 1/3 of its sale price.
It's so outrageous.