[XG_Falcon]

Interesting replies so far, although I agree with the overall sentiment of "you get what you pay for", in my experience a diligent consumer will always find a better deal.

Obviously getting a good final product is largely dependent on maintaining quality control on the factory floor but the main thing to consider is that most of these items are designed elsewhere and licensed to be built in China. Most products are designed so that relatively unskilled labourers can be used in the manufacturing process. It's possible that certain products would be of the exact same quality if they were built where they were designed. I would use my KRK studio monitors as a good example, designed in USA & built under license in China - yet they are the industry standard for sound production.

Another thing I've been thinking about is whether there is a moral consequence to our consumer-based society. For example, Apple inc. has been manufacturing their iPhones in China since the start and they are notorious for placing far higher emphasis on quality of manufacturing - rather than maintaining safe working environments for their employees. They wouldn't get away with using toxic solder in California, that's for sure.

I've tried to support local manufacturers but it's quite apparent that barely anything is made here.