Geez!!!!!!!!!!!!! -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom McCulloch Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 9:54 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Just Say No.
This is really off topic...but here goes. First of all please don't try to question our patriotism, if you aren't then please accept my apology for that comment. Secondly, IMHO the option of choosing between number one and number two just couldn't happen (I realize you said "what if"---but we could also say "what if pigs could fly" -- they just can't -- except on another list, of course :) ) The reason it can't happen is because ever since that little experiment in Russia failed (Communism) the world has turn to a global society based upon Capitalism (even China is embracing it, to a certain extent). The rules of capitalism would call for the prices of item one and two to be pretty darned close, if the quality of the two were comparable. If not, the better quality product would disappear due to its price point being too high OR the lesser quality product would go by the wayside because people would see it for what it is (a piece of junk not worth the buying no matter how appealing the price might be.) Before this disappearing act happened though, the product which saw its sales go down would either A) in the case of the better product, cut its production costs (and quality) to become price competitive or B) in the case of the lesser quality product, makes itself a better quality product but find the need to raise its price due to added production costs. However, the hypothesis posted here seems to be saying the quality is the same...OK. Take a ride on any major U.S. highway and tell me how many foreign built automobiles you see there...quite a few, I think you'd agree. These cars are more or less comparably priced with American built cars in the same class, because that is the price the market will bear. (Let's assume for now that they are comparably built also...we won't get into that discussion). Be assured that the price of those foreign cars is being set by the marketplace. How can we be so sure? Because of the fact that they are set in U.S. dollars and being built with (say) the Euro (we'll buy a European car). Did you ever stop and think why the prices of foreign autos has not skyrocketed with the recent dramatic fall of the US dollar versus other currencies? It's because the market can't bear it. When the Euro and the Dollar were (more or less) on a par with each, a one dollar sale raised 1 Euro. Today a one sale yields about 0.67 Euros. The German manufacturer (I decided on a Mercedes :) ) is getting less money (in Euros) than he was, although the price here in the States has stayed pretty constant (in dollars). So why doesn't he raise his price?...well, he can't because no one will spend that much for his product. OK, so how is he able to sell the cars ... A) because he was making a lot of profit based on what the Capitalistic market will allow him to charge in the past (having not much to do with what it cost him to build the thing) and now his profit is more in line or B) he can't and he will raise his prices, be less competitive and probably lose a lot of his market share to the American built cars (this is why the Fed is encouraging the dollar to drop against foreign currencies---to discourage foreign trade with the US (making home built products more attractive to US purchasers) and to encourage US exports (things are really "cheap" in the eyes of the person buying things in Euros, etc.). ) So I think this original post gets back to patriotism and those bumper stickers that say "Buy American" and all which that implies. I'm an American, all things being equal I buy American, but the question posted here is moot, because Capitalism works and we're darn lucky to have it. Tom WB2QDG Note to Eric -- please pull this thread its *REALLY* OT. ----- Original Message ----- From: "S Sacco" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 8:53 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Just Say No. > If, for the sake of argument (and this IS just a "what if" exercise, > after all), they COULD make a K3 somewhere else at a lower cost, and > offered you a choice: > > 1) U.S. made K3 with a collection of options that costs $2,500 > > or > > 2) "Somewhere else" made K3 with the same options that costs $1,500. > (Again, I'm making that number up). > > Which would you choose? > > If you chose #2, here's another question: Would you ever spend more > for the identical unit made in the U.S.? If so, how much more? > > I'm very happy to have them here in the U.S., even if that means > acknowledging that California IS part of it. :-) > > 73, > > Steve NN4X > > > > On Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 7:06 AM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> In a message dated 2/29/08 8:08:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: >> >> >> > it was made in China? >> > >> No. Just....no. >> >> 73 de Jim, N2EY >> >> >> >> ************** >> Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. >> >> >> (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-du ffy/ >> 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) >> _______________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >> > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
