Re: (ET) snow thrower parts, eBay items

["David Roden" <etpost drmm net>]

On 18 Dec 2012 at 8:06, Jim Coate wrote:

> Perhaps the G2 version will have better reliability...

I read some of the Amazon reviews for the G2 version.  It's clear that 
there 
ae still some significant problems with this gadget.  It's hard to tell 
how 
much of it is basic design and how much is not being able to manage the 
reality of low-end, low-bid Chinese manufacturing.  I've read that 
subcontractors may ignore quality control, substitute cheaper or 
counterfeit 
parts, and even skip assembly steps, all in order to maximize profit, 
since 
you (the "manufacturer") are the one bearing the warranty expense.  

>From what I've read, you can't just send your design to most Chinese 
subcontractors; you have to send your own employees over more or less 
permanently, to monitor the manufacturing process closely. 

The fundamental problem here may be just a different facet of the one GE 
had 
with the ET.  It's hell to compete with an ICE mower on price, because you 
don't have the same economy of scale, either at the component or assembly 
level.  When you cut your manufacturing expenses to try to compete on 
price, 
you become non-competitive on quality. 

I say again : for much less than what you'd pay for this mower, new, you 
could get a really nice used ET ER8-36 or R8, plus one or two spare parts 
machines.  You'd have no more headaches keeping it running, probably 
fewer, 
and you'd have a more durable and flexible mower to boot.  But I'll admit, 
you usually can't just click a button and have an ET delivered to your 
garage, ready (one hopes) to mow.


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA

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