I have a good friend that is in the plumbing and electrical supply business. He's a real smart guy and though that making products in China (knock offs) would be a great business move, so he did.
The products were not well received. The quailty was never there. Although most contractors, including myself, are very material cost conscious we do demand a good product. A crappy product that you installed is just a problem ($$) waiting to happen.
I am so happy to see buy American clauses in our goverment contracts. It makes me feel good about what I am doing by purchasing equipment and materials made here in our country and supporting families of Americans.
Years ago we got in some pipe from China that a supplier slipped into a load. I could not figure out why I could not get a good thread on some of the 3" and 4" pipe I was working on. I checked the dies and the heads, had good oil flow. The damn pipe was out of round and I don't mean by a little!
I try to watch all the items I purchase for country of manufacture but it is almost impossible to find American made products for everything needed. But, I'll keep trying.
For transparency: Yes I do drive foriegn cars, Porsche, Audi and VW. I have owned a Fords and Chevs. All of my work vehicles (25) are either Ford or Chevs, so I am trying
