Originally Posted by
Bob Dopolina
Here's the crux of the matter for me in "Brand vs Chinese eBay"
With a brand there is an investment in the brand. They want to build a reputation and a fan/consumer base. There is incentive to innovate and differentiate yourself from the competition. BRANDS drive innovation. They take the risks. The invest in their products and their brand image. They establish relationships in the community through dealer networks, events, advocacy etc.
Brands are invested in the consumer experience. If there is a problem they are highly motivated to solve the problem. They want consumer loyalty so they should be doing what they can to stand behind their products when things go wrong.
Brands are thinking LONG TERM.
With the trading companies from China that have popped up on the web there is no investment in brand. There is no investment in R&D. There are no dealer, community or any other kind of meaningful relationship established. They do NOTHING withing the community.
What they do do is find a factory that is copying the work of others and they treat it as a 'money now' product. Money NOW!. If and when the product fails they stand behind it as long as they have to until their inventory is sold through and they can find another vendor and then they start all over again with "new" designs.
If there is a real problem all they need to do is shut down an internet site and continue the process under one of their other company names. They don't care about innovating or long term credibility. It is about MONEY NOW!
They are thinking SHORT TERM.
Depending on where you jump in in this process you could get a decent quality wheelset or rims or you could get utter crap and be let holding the bag. Both are equally possible with most people having a positive experience and an unlucky few that are left with regrets. There are long threads on other forums that show this process over and over.
If you're willing to gamble, go for it. The odds are actually in your favour. If you're not willing to take that chance then buy something you feel more comfortable with.
Your analysis is very cogent - right on. I would add these concepts though for a fuller picture. What happens down the road, both good and bad, on both sides of the question, brand and knock-off? Sometimes the brand company gets lazy or greedy or both and falls back on its well established name and reputation to sell inferior goods or milk a cash cow. That isn't always, but it is certainly a known phenomenon and bears watching out for. And sometimes the knock off maker can establish itself through diligent hard work, attention to detail, quality and customer service as an up-and-coming brand with all the trappings like research and development, innovation, iron clad warranty, and so on. Shimano and Suntour were just knocking off Campy at first, but look at, ahem, one of them now. Well they did both establish themselves as quality producers at one point. That is the fluidity of global business. What is down can move up and vice-versa. I think my point is, like it or not, all the players have a part in global business. The consumer can rely on collective wisdom to make good choices, but old news is just that. As consumers, we can't get complacent, but have to always be watchful for the latest trends.