I just purchased a couple ALPS RK27 potentiometers on Amazon because I couldn't find them anywhere else in the size I wanted. When they arrived, the outer package indicated "Made in China". Does anyone know if these are likely to be fake? Thanks.
Just for your information, Preh, one really reputed German company, is now Chinese owned.
Very well known for pots and so on.
Very well known for pots and so on.
As you can see Alps has many offices and manufacturing plants in China - so it would be a safe bet that just about all their products now come out of that country. Even though they are made in China, there is still a lot of fake Alps around.
Alps is still owned by Japanese corporate interests AFAIK.
Preh, the German maker, was purchased by a Chinese company, they had been getting product made in China.
The company is managed from China. So yes, Preh is a Chinese owned German company.
Philips decided TV and computer monitors were not lucrative, they sold the entire business to their Chinese supplier, except in India, where the local business was sold to a local company.
Both purchasers can use Philips markings on their product for some time.
Bosch also sold their power tool business to their Chinese OEM, they have been given the rights to use the Bosch name on power tools for the time being.
Volvo cars and SAAB cars are also Chinese owned, and Wild, the Swiss survey equipment maker, was bought by Sokkisha in 1978.
So Wild is a premium quality Japanese product really.
Preh, the German maker, was purchased by a Chinese company, they had been getting product made in China.
The company is managed from China. So yes, Preh is a Chinese owned German company.
Philips decided TV and computer monitors were not lucrative, they sold the entire business to their Chinese supplier, except in India, where the local business was sold to a local company.
Both purchasers can use Philips markings on their product for some time.
Bosch also sold their power tool business to their Chinese OEM, they have been given the rights to use the Bosch name on power tools for the time being.
Volvo cars and SAAB cars are also Chinese owned, and Wild, the Swiss survey equipment maker, was bought by Sokkisha in 1978.
So Wild is a premium quality Japanese product really.
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It depends.
Financially: yes.
Does it automatically change product from highest quality to suspect? (to say it politely): not a bit.
IF they keep blueprints, design, machinery, materials, specially quality control and high standards, it is still making "high quality German products" and personally would buy them without blinking an eye.
You can make a measurement. 😉
PS.
I do not buy electronic components from Amazon, Ebay, Aliexpress or others. There are enough authorized sellers who sell original components.
PS.
I do not buy electronic components from Amazon, Ebay, Aliexpress or others. There are enough authorized sellers who sell original components.
Chinese goods can go either way.
1/ Cheap tat that is only good for the bin.
2/ Quality controlled goods that are very good.
I bought 4 wall warts from China and none lasted a week.
I bought 4 Chinese wall warts through RS Components and didnt have any problems.
So looks like its down to quality control on Chinese goods.
1/ Cheap tat that is only good for the bin.
2/ Quality controlled goods that are very good.
I bought 4 wall warts from China and none lasted a week.
I bought 4 Chinese wall warts through RS Components and didnt have any problems.
So looks like its down to quality control on Chinese goods.
My cousin says the Chinese are very honest, they will give you what you want at your price...
My experience with Chinese stuff is like Nigel above, if you pay for best quality, they are world class.
I have LED panels in daily use since 2012, only one failed, out of nearly 40 units, and it was a damaged LED strip, not the driver. Easily repaired, and cheaply.
Those were imported by my friends, they had gone to China and said we want the material you sell in America, and we want guarantee, price is no issue...and they gave us good stuff. 2 years replacement warranty.
Generally, the following quality is available:
A, for America, and Europe etc.
B, for places where less quality is expected
C, for lowest price destination
D, odd lots, production defective, unsold stock etc. That is sold at scrap value, and often winds up in places like India.
So we must also see who is the intermediary,and what is their reputation.
My experience with Chinese stuff is like Nigel above, if you pay for best quality, they are world class.
I have LED panels in daily use since 2012, only one failed, out of nearly 40 units, and it was a damaged LED strip, not the driver. Easily repaired, and cheaply.
Those were imported by my friends, they had gone to China and said we want the material you sell in America, and we want guarantee, price is no issue...and they gave us good stuff. 2 years replacement warranty.
Generally, the following quality is available:
A, for America, and Europe etc.
B, for places where less quality is expected
C, for lowest price destination
D, odd lots, production defective, unsold stock etc. That is sold at scrap value, and often winds up in places like India.
So we must also see who is the intermediary,and what is their reputation.
Its a common problem if you go to random Chinese manufacturer with a circuit to build they will use the components you specifiy in the prototypes and acceptance samples, but later substitute cheaper parts without notice, leading to "quality surprises".
28 Common Problems Chinese Suppliers Cause Importers - QualityInspection.org
28 Common Problems Chinese Suppliers Cause Importers - QualityInspection.org
There is little likelihood of things improving whilst their customers are eager to take advantage of low wage and want something for nothing. Got to admire the tricksters really, they've turn that desire on it's head.
Having been a NPI Engineer and traveled to our manufacturing partners in China (17 times, 2 weeks to a month each), your linked article brought back many memories. Or should I say nightmares. Lol. It’s spot on.