General Cycling Discussion - When it comes to goods & services, Taiwan rocks!

I just bought this normal waist pouch from a shop, and told the shopkeeper that I am going to use it for biking. So he suggested that he can add the ribbons and catches for me so that it will fit onto my bike nicely.


He customised the bag on the spot, took less than 20 min and charged me US$12 in total including the price of the bag and the ribbons. What can I say:)

forgot the pic

and no, this is not a fake product.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by unrelated
I just bought this normal waist pouch from a shop, and told the shopkeeper that I am going to use it for biking. So he suggested that he can add the ribbons and catches for me so that it will fit onto my bike nicely.

[/QUOTE

Normal waist pouch? Does this mean I can mount my waist pouch to my bike while peddling and mount it to me when I stop someplace?
Joe
:beer:

Seems like you got a pretty good deal. Personally i don't think i would mount a bag on the front of my bike. But if thats your thing then you made a killing.

Originally posted by joeprim
[QUOTE]Originally posted by unrelated
I just bought this normal waist pouch from a shop, and told the shopkeeper that I am going to use it for biking. So he suggested that he can add the ribbons and catches for me so that it will fit onto my bike nicely.

[/QUOTE

Normal waist pouch? Does this mean I can mount my waist pouch to my bike while peddling and mount it to me when I stop someplace?
Joe
:beer:

YES! It's a "customized" waist pouch. The ribbons are add ons, so it doesn't take away it's original function.

BTW, most of Taiwan's shops close after 10.30pm, and almost of them will do this service for anyone for this price range. We Taiwanese never charge for service unless it's something really troublesome. sometimes when I bring my bike to th shop to get something adjusted without replacing anything, the shopkeeper would just do it for free.

When it comes to service and goods Taiwan rock , now where is the Taiwan connection here in this post, just asking?:D ::D :D

"When it comes to goods & services, Taiwan rocks! "

I am glad you are having good experiences in Taiwan.

In my opinion, however, Taiwan still produces mostly shoddy quality goods. Sure, there are some bicycle companies largely influenced by US corporation (like Giant which was virtually started by Schwinn), but when you take in the whole spectrum of various manufacturing, Taiwan missed the quality boat.

As far as the PEOPLE are concerned, however, the Taiwanese are wonderful, beautiful and very kind people. In all my years of world travel, the Taiwanese are some of the kindest people I have ever met. It does not surprise me that you are delighted with them.

and no, this is not a fake product.

That was my first thought. :lol:
Nice bag. I don't use one now but have used them when touring ... quite handy, though they can be a distraction.

Bad quality was in the past.

There is something that I think you guys should know. Taiwan is a major exporter in the world. There are MANY Taiwanese companies who only export and not sell within the country, so unlike Japan, the locals only get the second class goods. It's true even now.

I was surprised when I went to the Taipei's WTC cus that's where all the export companies display their goods. I have never seen such exciting range of products anywhere else in Taiwan, and sadly, those are only for exports.

If you talk about the poor quality products you see now.... they are mostly from Mainland China or else where. Taiwan, due to the rise in labor cost can no longer compete with those countries with cheap products. Taiwan is going towards more high-tech IT hardwares production. 70% of your computer is made in Taiwan.

It's true that Taiwan used to make poor quality products. But when you look at the labor cost of the Western countried, no one can compete with Taiwan or Asian countried with the combination of cost price and quality. People want the value. If a GT frame cost $300 in US and only $150 in Taiwan, I rather go for the $150.... how much can the quality defer?

Are you teaching English, visiting relatives?

Originally posted by unrelated
Bad quality was in the past.

If you talk about the poor quality products you see now.... they are mostly from Mainland China or else where.

It's true that Taiwan used to make poor quality products. If a GT frame cost $300 in US and only $150 in Taiwan, I rather go for the $150.... how much can the quality defer?

Sorry, man, you are still walking in smoke and mirrors. Taiwan still produces lower quality goods. Their quality is only marginally better than mainland China and is far inferior to Japan, USA, Europe, and even Mexico.

Go into a Taiwan factory. Their goods are produced on cheap copies of Japanese copies of USA or European machines of yesteryear. They have oceans of manual labor to make up for the failings of their manufacturing process. I know, I see it at least four times per year.

There is very little quality process. The workers are treated as just that - workers. They have little input into the management and are not tied to the success of the companies, so there is little attention to quality.

It isn't just one industry or one company either. I see it across the board. Sure, there are exceptions, but just pop in to a Taiwan factory some time.

Taiwan's lament is that they don't produce the quality of Japan and their labor is more expensive than China. They are in a tough spot.

Again, Taiwanese people are wonderful, beautiful, kind people, but they don't produce high quality goods - yesterday or today.