So, I buy a rebuilt starter at my local auto parts store today

[Cranky]

You want parts from Taiwan rather than China?
Taiwan IS China.

Only in recent times Taiwan has become China. In the past, stuff from Taiwan was better quality going back into the 70's. They seem to be resisting the China take over so who knows.

When I think of all the hands this used starter changed hands through to get to China, the boat trip halfway around the world where it was to be rebuilt, the boat trip back to the US, the distributors it went through and finally to the auto parts store where I bought it, I'm baffled how this could all be done when the final sale price is only 79 bucks.

It's called child labor. When I go for parts, most of the guys at the parts house knows not to give me crap made in China. Told them years ago parts made anywhere but China are fine lol. Some countries kept a good portion of their own manufacturing infrastructure.....unlike us.

 

[Jerry Hall]

That's why they do it in China and not here, they work for almost nothing

All of us here on this forum do the same thing. If any of us tried to add labor to the price of our old cars no one could afford them. That's why mass production makes sense and It's just that the government is in control in China and the people are made to do it for almost nothing. I'm not trying to go political here, but careful who you vote for. We call it fun, relaxation, education, and the pride of doing it ourselves. Freedom costs, I would rather do it for the reasons I mentioned than be made to do it.

 

[YY1]

Actually Taiwan is at war with China.

Taiwan is the exiled government of pre-communist China.

This is one of the things that make relations with both entities difficult and touchy.

Any time we cozy up to one, the other starts issuing threats.

...and I'd rather have my stuff rebuilt in Japan or S. Korea, given the choice.

 

[YY1]

You guys may be thinking of Hong Kong, being given back to mainland China after decades of British rule and then pseudo-autonomy.

 

[Richard Cranium]

This thread needs this....

 

[Pops1967GTX]

I finished a starter & alternators during the winter.
. ​

 

[Hey-O]

All of us here on this forum do the same thing. If any of us tried to add labor to the price of our old cars no one could afford them. That's why mass production makes sense and It's just that the government is in control in China and the people are made to do it for almost nothing. I'm not trying to go political here, but careful who you vote for. We call it fun, relaxation, education, and the pride of doing it ourselves. Freedom costs, I would rather do it for the reasons I mentioned than be made to do it.

When the last Chrysler plant in Fenton Missouri closed and moved to Mexico, they had asked us for concessions. At the time wages here with benefits were around 60 dollar an hour, in Mexico, around 4 dollars an hour with no benefit. How can anyone compete with that and still feed a family. They have since raised their pay and reduced ours, so we build and buy from China now. The move is now out of China, they want more pay, to another friendlier Asian country with no rules and regulation like Mexico and China had years ago when they first wanted and or took our jobs. It's a race around the world to the bottom.

 

[RJRENTON]

Rebuild old starter. Put back in car.​

IMO....ABSOLUTEY....but rebuild it yourself. NOS parts are available, either on line or swap meets. Thrre is NOTHING complicated about rebuilding an alternator, although it contains wires (and wires are scary and cannot be trusted). The same thing is true of starters.... If you have common sense and manual dexterity ( after all, you've removed the item from service), you can rebuild it...its no big deal and it can be considerably less costly. Its no different than installing a cam or water pump or clutch....and self satisfaction is priceless.
BOB RENTON

 

[Photon440]

You want parts from Taiwan rather than China?
Taiwan IS China.

China wants you to believe that. Taiwan, which separated when the rest of China went communist, is its own country with better quality standards.

 

[Photon440]

This thread needs this....

We were saving that for your birthday sound effect.

 

[YY1]

...and we're back to labor cost.

Is RC's time for the rebuild process plus parts worth more than $79?

 

[Richard Cranium]

...and we're back to labor cost.

Is RC's time for the rebuild process plus parts worth more than $79?

Yes it is & I would be glad to pay the going rate for a quality rebuild from a US company. I'm not saying that this one isn't, but I'm a firm believer in the "you do get what you pay for" theory.

 

[Slap Stick]

Why are quality parts impossible to get? People want low prices. So, how does a company do that?
Discuss, argue, bicker, etc.

 

[Beekeeper]

You want parts from Taiwan rather than China?
Taiwan IS China.

guess so but we sure have been sending money there a heck of a lot longer than to China

 

[Beekeeper]

Why are quality parts impossible to get? People want low prices. So, how does a company do that?
Discuss, argue, bicker, etc.

If they can’t get something as simple as a lower control arm bushing to spec quality
is totally out the window.

 

[themechanic]

Mark, since it's your birthday, you can have this rebuilt Chrysler starter if you split the shipping with me.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/anyone-need-this-big-block-starter.141402/

 

[Slap Stick]

If they can’t get something as simple as a lower control arm bushing to spec quality
is totally out the window.

And that is how you get low prices.

 

[MarPar]

The real question is...why tf are you buying an AC Delco starter to begin with?

 

[Richard Cranium]

The real question is...why tf are you buying an AC Delco starter to begin with?

The parts guys looked up the part number & that's what came in.

 

[MarPar]

The parts guys looked up the part number & that's what came in.

I wudda told where they could have installed it. Is it for one of yer trucks?