So I rode past a local (Beijing) caravan dealer today. This was the little pop top they had on display. Anyone want me to ship one back for them?
Chinese Caravans hit the Aussie Market
- Thread starter Bushman
- Start date
@TerriD I can assure you it was a very simple design on this one, the fittings were of very poor standard, as for sleeping arrangement, I assume they just sleep on the seats (one on each side). However there were many more caravans there that looked much more "Euro" in style, but I didn't have a closer look.
As for selling them back in Aus.. If you could get away with "No Refunds/No Warranty" policy that is legal in China, then sure I'd happily take your money and send you the rubbish... BUT as others have pointed out.. give it some time and the quality will be there then watch out Australian manufacturing (yes, it can get even worse).
Personally I'm developing a bias against Chinese manufacturing. Why? Because I feel we're hypocrites when we insist on a safe work place, we insist on environmental responsibility, we insist on our companies being responsible and ethical, but then we go to the shop and purchase the Chinese made product because it is cheaper - well of course it is cheaper, they don't have safe work place, they don't care about their environmental impact (check out the air quality in Beijing!!), they don't pay for their Microsoft licences for their PC's (no i don't work for Microsoft...). If they did all these things, they would still be much cheaper and then I'd not have the same issue with buying from them. Anyway, I'm sure not all companies here are the same.. Rant over!!
As for selling them back in Aus.. If you could get away with "No Refunds/No Warranty" policy that is legal in China, then sure I'd happily take your money and send you the rubbish... BUT as others have pointed out.. give it some time and the quality will be there then watch out Australian manufacturing (yes, it can get even worse).
Personally I'm developing a bias against Chinese manufacturing. Why? Because I feel we're hypocrites when we insist on a safe work place, we insist on environmental responsibility, we insist on our companies being responsible and ethical, but then we go to the shop and purchase the Chinese made product because it is cheaper - well of course it is cheaper, they don't have safe work place, they don't care about their environmental impact (check out the air quality in Beijing!!), they don't pay for their Microsoft licences for their PC's (no i don't work for Microsoft...). If they did all these things, they would still be much cheaper and then I'd not have the same issue with buying from them. Anyway, I'm sure not all companies here are the same.. Rant over!!
I'm with you. Sure, Chinese made goods are cheap, and we all love our cheap TVs and white goods, but in the end we are shooting ourselves in the foot. In Australia we 'share the wealth' better. We have fair pay for our workers, OHandS, health schemes, fair work conditions..... The list goes on.
All of these things cost. However, I agree that it is hypocritical to want all of the above and then buy everything from China.
Qantas is a good example. Fact is that it costs more to run qantas than the overseas carriers. No matter how the airline is managed, it simply costs more due to our fair work conditions. However, no one in Australia is prepared to pay $20 more for a ticket, so the airline goes bust. Simple. (not trying to start a debate about qantas, just illustrating the general point).
We try very hard to buy Australian. It cant always be done, especially with regard to technology, but if we have a choice we are prepared to pay more for Australian made. I'm keen for my grand kids to have jobs when they come into this world!
Rant over...
@relgate I'm not a 100% "we should buy Australian" sort of person, I think all goods and services need to be judged on their merits. If someone else can make or do something as good as anyone else for less money, then they have an advantage, but I think we should consider the wider circumstances when buying about "how it was made" rather than just "how much did it cost to make". Of course everyone has their own budgets and priorities and this can impact their decisions, I'm not judging anyone except myself.
Rant Over (again).
Rant Over (again).
@acmackie No,no rest assured I have absolutely no desire to import Chinese caravans (have edited previous post). I was more thinking that the scary thing would be that if some one did import them there would be the unsuspecting newbie buyers who will buy. I grew up with camping and caravanning my parents owned 2 vans in the seventies and eighties and I have carried on the camping and caravanning tradition with my family. It must be very enlightening for you there on the spot seeing what goes on behind the scenes.
Regards Terri D
Regards Terri D
All good @TerriD I know what you mean. I'm sure if the price was low more than a few would sell to some poor unsuspecting people. I actually plan to go back to the sales yard and look at what their more "euro" style vans are like. I'd love to caravan around China, but I'd need a better tow vehicle and I'd want my 17.56-2OB so I knew I always had a clean toilet wherever I was!
17.56.2 is what we hope to upgrade to, have looked at just about every thing (all makes) and the 17.56.2 looks the most suitable for our family ,I have owned Jayco before (2007 Jayco Hawk) I really like Jayco and after having owned another brand am very keen to come back. Trouble is I have seen the seen the Star Craft 17.58.3 in photos and would like to see one in the flesh before we make final decision. Expanda is such a brilliant concept you get the most room for the length of van you are towing. Just out of curiosity could you buy a 17.56.2 OB where you are?
I like to buy Australian made/owned when I can find a comparative item to one made overseas, but that is becoming less and less now.
At the moment however, I think there are enough quality Australian made and owned caravans available that I would not look at overseas made products. While Goldstar is still Australian owned, I wouldn't support their decision to manufacturer OS, especially as they still say on their website their manufacturing is in Lonsdale SA...
At the moment however, I think there are enough quality Australian made and owned caravans available that I would not look at overseas made products. While Goldstar is still Australian owned, I wouldn't support their decision to manufacturer OS, especially as they still say on their website their manufacturing is in Lonsdale SA...