I'm tired of poor quality stuff made overseas failing on me all the time...

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Thank you Idiot America for handing our country, which our forefathers fought for and died for, to the most vile, despotic and oppressive government in the world. Way to go.

That's not a very nice way to describe the Bush administration...

[75'930cab]

Originally Posted by motion

Actually, I am rather incredulous that someone would take something back to Costco after 3 years of use, broken, and exchange it "for free" for the latest and greatest. Its this kind of abuse that forced Costco to change its policy. IMHO, if you use something for that long, and it only costs a few hundred bucks to begin with, you should toss it and be thankful for the value it brought you. Instead, some people feel Costco's other customers owe them the newest model, for free. For some reason, I just can't get my arms around that kind of mentality.

I agree with you 100%! I had friend that bought a lawn mower at Costco and bent the crankshaft by hitting a old clothes line pole in the ground! He had it for over a year and took it back and they offered him a full refund or a mower that they currently had in stock, he took the refund. For some reason it irritates the crap out of me that he took it back! It's not Costco's fault for the crankshaft.... To me that's abusing the return policy!

[the]

How can one "abuse" a policy by honestly using the policy?

If Costco sells me a camera, and says "If it ever breaks, bring it back," I'm bringing it back when it breaks.

That's their policy, they came up with it, they invite you to use it. No problem. They are not idiots (Costco is uber-smart and successful), and their policies are designed to make them money in the long run.

Their return policy was no exception. It was well known and helped to build up the company and get paying members. Also, the person who buys a membership, and buys a $300 camera, also probably buys thousands of $$ of other stuff during the year. And, even on out of warranty, old stuff, they still got money back from the mfr. Who gladly paid it to be a Costco vendor. That's the free market at work.

Costco knows what they are doing. No one needs to feel bad by honestly availing themselves of Costco's policies.

[the]

(That being said, there was a lot of real abuse, IMO because the policy was "crazy" lenient. They often didn't even require a receipt! People would bring in old junk they didn't even buy at Costco).

[motion]

the, I liken it to an honor system. Costco is betting that their customers actually have a conscience and will do the right thing. If everyone did what you did, all the time, Costco would be out of business in about one day flat.

[SlowToady]

Of interesting note, the company I work for sells ONLY 100% made in America products. The aluminum is American, the assembly is done in America, it's an American company. The machining is done in America. Once they got a shipment of Chinese aluminum, and refused it, then dropped that vendor. They were furious that the vendor would ever consider giving them inferior metal for their products.

Maybe if this "weak dollar" lasts for long enough, manufacturing will return to America? Or am I dreaming?

[nostatic]

face it: some people will take advantage of any situation regardless of the circumstance. Others have a slightly different moral compass. It'll all come to fruition in the next life

I'd be personally embarrassed to take something back after 3 years. I don't care what their "policy" is...to me it is wrong according to my internal policies. ymmv.

[WolfeMacleod]

One thing I would like to point out about the falure of electronics is that a large percentage of them are failing due to the use of LEAD FREE SOLDER.

Thank the EU and RoHS for that.

[the]

Originally Posted by motion

the, I liken it to an honor system. Costco is betting that their customers actually have a conscience and will do the right thing. If everyone did what you did, all the time, Costco would be out of business in about one day flat.

Sorry, but that's a load of bunk.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by SlowToady

Of interesting note, the company I work for sells ONLY 100% made in America products. The aluminum is American, the assembly is done in America, it's an American company. The machining is done in America. Once they got a shipment of Chinese aluminum, and refused it, then dropped that vendor. They were furious that the vendor would ever consider giving them inferior metal for their products.

Maybe if this "weak dollar" lasts for long enough, manufacturing will return to America? Or am I dreaming?

what does your company make?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by 75'930cab

You do know that Makita is a Japanese company? I do agree Makita is a 1000 times better product then Ryobi!

Yes, although I have less of a problem with that. The box actually says "made in the U.S." though. I'll take a picture of it later if I think of it. Their U.S. HQ is in Georgia I believe, and I'm pretty sure that's where the literature said the assembly took place.

Even the DeWalt one was "Made in China". I couldn't friggin' believe it. The Makita was the only one in the entire selection at Home Despot that wasn't "Made in China". Scary.

[SlowToady]

We make archery accessories; sights, arrow rests, quivers, and recently we're making shotgun sights, though they are plastic, no metal (except for a small mount on one or two versions of the sight).

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

what does your company make?

[Wrecked944]

I started to obsess about the issue of quality. So I did a quick google search of the phrase "unconditional lifetime guarantee" and " no questions asked"... I got surprisingly few results...(note, I could not find any sort of super-unconditional language at Snap-On or FACAM or Craftsman - even though I don't doubt they replace tools with no questions asked)...

http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/warrrepair2?openform

Stereophones that were purchased after July of 1989 are covered by our No-Questions-Asked Lifetime warranty.

http://www.pelicanproducts.us/Termsaspx.html

All Pelican Hard Cases are backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee. Pelican guarantees all products against breakage and defects in workmanship. This guarantee does not cover shark bite, bear attack, or children under 5. To return your product on warranty, contact Pelican directly at 1-800-473-5422 (310-326-4700 inside CA) for a return authorization.

(emphasis added by me)

http://www.bondhus.com/features/warranty/body-0.htm

All Bondhus® products are guaranteed for life. If you are not happy with a Bondhus® tool - for any reason - simply return it. A replacement will be shipped right out at no cost - no hassles, no questions asked!

http://www.cutco.com/customer/guarantee.jsp

If at any time you are not completely satisfied with the performance of your CUTCO product, we will correct the problem or replace the product. Simply send the product with an explanatory note to the address below.

http://www.hammacher.com/order/ret_exch.asp?promo=LifetimeGuarantee

Should any product fail to meet your expectations, for any reason, simply return it with proof of purchase. We will replace it, refund the cost of the item less shipping and service fees, or credit your credit card, depending on your original payment method.

http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=135&path=1%2C3%2C125%2C135

Every product is backed by our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee, you must be 100% satisfied with everything you purchase from us. If you are ever unhappy with a Solutions product for any reason we promise to cheerfully replace it or refund your money. The choice is yours! Unlike others, our unconditional guarantee truly has no limits - no questions asked.

http://www.otterbox.com/services/customer_service/#policyGuarantee

Here at Otter Products, LLC we have an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If at any time your protective OtterBox becomes faulty, we will replace it for you. We guarantee it for life! No questions. No hassles. It’s easy to stand behind our products with a lifetime warranty because we are confident that they will last a lifetime! Please see Otter Products, LLC Lifetime warranty for more details.

http://www.mountaintrailbaskets.com/FAQ.html

"Mountain Trails is the only domestic company that offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If your basket should ever become damaged, we'll repair OR replace it - whichever is necessary - at no cost to you other than shipping. For over 20 years, we've backed our promise to our loyal customers. Ship your basket to us with your name and address and a phone number to contact so we can contact you. Please ship to Mountain Trails Baskets RR 1 Box 102 Templeton,PA 16259

http://www.greatpooltables.com/

We offer our exclusive unconditional lifetime guarantee on all tables - if the slate on your table ever breaks or cracks for any reason, including misuse or abuse, we will replace it free of charge for the life of your table, no questions asked!

http://www.premiumtufflock.com/home.htm

We are proud to manufacture the finest collars and leashes available on the market - and to back it up with an UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME GUARANTEE. Any damaged item is replaced, no questions asked - even if a dog chews it in two!

https://www.groommate.com/information.php?mID=5

Every nose hair trimmer offered at groommate.com is backed by an unconditional, lifetime guarantee. If at any time your nose hair trimmer fails to meet with your complete satisfaction, simply return it to us at the address shown here for your choice of a full refund or a new trimmer.

[RickM]

I believe Nordstroms and Needless-Markup offer an unconditional, no questions asked return policy as well. In fact on a news show Nordstroms offered a refund for a shirt purchased from another store just to keep the customer (undercover reporter) happy.

[alf]

Chinese produced goods will improve in quality, it is inevitable, especially when their customers demand it.

When that happens we will really have to worry about our ability to compete.

In the meantime, I prefer my shoes Italian, watches Swiss, cars German or Japaneses, guns German, art Chinese, swords Japanese and food American. Clothes I do not really care. Electronics I could not really do much about.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Even when/if the quality comes up, I'll look for ways to avoid buying their products. I am THAT opposed to their governmental policies and their record on human rights.

Jansport (makes backpacks) is another great company that stands behind their products with an unconditional "no questions asked" guarantee. I once returned a backpack where the zipper had failed and come apart after several years and many, many pounds toted in both undergraduate and grad school. They replaced it no questions asked. The replacement backpack finally started coming apart (I stupidly ran over it once with my 951 - don't ask). Although I COULD return it and I'm sure they'd replace it, I can't see it in myself to do that. I'll pay full-price for a new one.

[tabs]

I bought a Samsung DLP TV from Costco. Just after the year warranty expired the TV developed a problem it kept turning itself off. The problem was a faulty circuit Board. I called Samsung, they extended the warranty by a couple of months and sent a technician to fix the thing at no cost. It has worked properly since then.

[Langers]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

Good question. I'm sure the rich people are fed up with poorly made cell phones and other gadgets too. After all, is there a "premium computer?" out there?

-Wayne

The rich don't buy normal cell phones. They buy Vertus. And Vertu will helicopter in a replacement for you if that is what it takes to keep you happy!

[tabs]

The Chinese are an internal looking society. everything they do is based upon what is good for the internal development of China. Their goal is to be able to feed everyone, and raise the standard of living from abject poverty levels. To do this they need to industrialize at any cost. They are coming from over a hundred years of western exploitation and having nothing to pulling themselves up by their bootstraps to achieve something. China only becomes aware of the outside world when it will effect China and its program of internal development. China does not follow the western model of wanting to conquer the world.

[tabs]

Tabs is a man of......come on come on you all know...

My Redwing boots...27 years old

My McIntosh and JBL Stereo equipment...30 years old

My Salvatore Espresso maker... only 4 years old.
previous Krups.. 10.5 years

My Ford 150....9.5 years old.

My Sony 20" TV...21 years old

My Sony 13" TV....20 years old

Digital Clock by Bedside...30 years old

Sharp Fax machine....15.5 years old

911 Porsche...39 years old

GE Dryer...20.5 years old

Sears Washing Machine....11.5 years old

GE Refrigerator...17.5 years old

Kodak Digital Camera...6.5 years old

Telephone by Bedside...26 years old

Guest Bedroom furniture...90 years old..Grandmas...

Salt Shaker...alumimum...90 years old..GM's

Lamps...58 years old....Gradmas & Mothers throw aways.

Chinese Rosewood Bedroom furniture...22 years old

All other major furniture pieces..17 years old

Pots and Pans..Revere Ware..60 years old with some newer pieces

All Clad pots and pans...7.5 years old.

Toaster..$7 Walmart...6.5 years
previous one 30 years

My previous TV was a Sony 32" XBR...15 years...

Previous Ford Ranger 13 years