Quality vs Cheap
Submitted: Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 19:32
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Member - Kim M (VIC)
I took the Honda generator out to the patio this morning to give it a check and run it for a while. Started at the first pull of the cord (hadn't been used for some time).
Got me thinking about the importance of quality and reliability in the bush. Sometimes we focus on price out of necessity, or just make some pretty dumb decisions. I'm guilty of the latter many times over.
Apart from the Honda, here are a few items I've purchased, either recently, or over many years that have given trouble free service:
1. Minute tent with car vestibule.
2. 240v mechanic's inspection light with wire guard.
3. CTEK 7000 battery charger.
4. Canon cameras.
5. Polaris Awning (attached to the car).
6. Silva compass.
7. Sako rifle.
8.
John Fogerty's Blue Moon Swamp CD. LOL
9. Camec floor netting.
10. STIHL chain saw.
12. Sidchrome socket set.
13. Verglas Down sleeping bag.
14. Rear air bags (can't recall the product name).
I'm not endorsing these products, other than to say, I've never had a failure in the bush.
On the other side of the ledger, there is no doubt that more money has gone down the sink through buying cheap, or on gadgets that I couldn't figure out.
Regards
Kim
Regards
Reply By: seqfisho - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 20:10
Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 20:10
Whats the old saying
"Quality remains long after the price is forgotten"
Pity you dont always get what you pay for these days.
Cheers Glen
AnswerID:
301892
Reply By: Member - 120scruiser (NSW) - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 20:31
Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 20:31
On the other hand I purchased a cheap 12 volt fluro light from supercheap many years ago for about $9.00. All in the club said its crap and won't last as you need one of these $100 ones.
Well two
simpson desert trips, fraser island and many many weekend trips later the damn thing is still working fine. I didn't expect it to last but it has so I bought another one. I bought the second one just in case the first one crapped itself. And because it was cheap I just throw it in the back of the car and don't care what goes on top of it and I still can't break it.
I suppose sometimes you can be lucky.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 20:44
Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 20:44
Some times it's hard to figure. I've still got a 12v inspection light that came out of a Toyota shorty back in the early 80's. Never had a bulb change, and we still use it as source of light in the bush.
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 22:00
Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 22:00
Quality is one thing , price is another entirely ,, just " blew"" an air bagon the
Cordillo Downs Rd ,, no other reason than bad luck and a bleeding sharp
rock flying up and piercing at the time ,,
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Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 22:14
Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 22:14
Axel
Aint that the truth. Had a good women once....!
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Reply By: Member - Doug T (FNQ) - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 07:09
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 07:09
Kim
Good to see someone has intelligence when it comes to parting with the hard earned dollar, you could have added Garmin to your list .
.
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Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 07:33
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 07:33
After sales service is also a big part of my decsion making criteria. I will pay a little more for a product if I know I can parts and service when required.
Doug, have you ever had to get a Garmin device serviced ?
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Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 19:27
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 19:27
Agreed. Am still of the opinion that Garmin products are very good, and backup is good. But this didn't help when I performed a software upgrade to my GPSII+, carefully following their instructions. The screen said "Data transfer commencing. Erasing existing data...." That was it. Never worked again.
Returned to GME, they agreed it wouldn't communicate with computer, and all they could do was offer an exhange recond unit for $250. Was still cheaper than a new one or equivalent, so had to pay it (was out of warranty).
So what am I trying to say?
Poorly backed-up products leave you with no option but to throw it in the bin after it's failed, but
well backed-up quality products still have their downside and the end result of the backup is not what you had hoped for.
Gerry
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 08:11
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 08:11
Hi Kim
I guess some things are critical , like a good reliable car out there but many things are not and its here where I prefer the value for money arguement.
Using your example the $99 Bunnings generator is 1/15 of the cost of the Hondaand this is a massive difference.
Happy to assume they are not as reliable or good , but for many of us its the choice between having something thats not as good or not having anything at all.
So where its not critical I tend to go with my best estimate of value for money.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Fred G (NSW) - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 08:50
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 08:50
Hi Robin
I bought a GMC 850w generator from Bunnings about 5 years ago, $89.00, just to provide power for our
bush camp. That's 2 permanent vans. Has been the best bargain I have ever bought. Can't kill it. Runs 14hrs on a tank of fuel (about 6 ltrs) Is now a permanent fixture up there, and if some lowlife wants to steal it I haven't lost a fortune.
Fred.
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Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 12:59
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 12:59
agree with Fred, in that my GMC 850w (@ $89) has done me
well for the past 3 years. Usually starts around 3rd pull. Am
well pleased with it and I've seen/heard far noisier gennies. Having said that, I also had a bloke
camp near me with a Honda that he bought 2nd hand, 17 years ago and it looked like it had seen better days - but it started 1st pull every time. when I retire and do the b-i-g one, I'll treat myself to a Honda, but right now I can't justify nearly $2000 on something I only use as occasional back-up to my solar.
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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 11:04
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 11:04
Gday Kim,
I noticed the 12volt Latte machine didnt rate a mention??
Cheers
Hairy
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 13:02
Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 13:02
People who are fixated on "you get what you pay for" will miss out on a lot of bargains in life.
Pricing is often based "what the market will bear" or "what our inefficient processes force us to charge".
Only in a perfect world will quality(or value) be proportional to price.
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