More Chinese Products, for the Galley This Time

[ssullivan]

I ordered a meat grinder for our galley so we could grind up our own ground venison, etc... It's hand cranked and can be used for nuts or other items too.

This grinder came in last night. I got it on eBay. The photos looked very nice and it seemed solidly built. However, nowhere did it say it was made in China.

Here are some of the things wrong with it:

1) Made out of that inferior zinc steel just like the genset I had that ran for not even 200 hours before throwing a rod.

2) Food processing area coated with used motor oil

3) Crank made from thin bamboo wood, not a hardwood

4) Paint looks suspiciously like it's lead based

Frankly, I'm not sure how the seller could sell such an item as something to process food in. It's filled with carcinogenic used motor oil. I have been steering clear of buying anything from China for a while now (so much as I can help it), but this one just angered me to no end. Basically, I got ripped off AGAIN by some jack*ss importing toxic food processing equipment into this country from China.

I've HAD it with captialism. Everybody tries to sell the cheapest product they can for the most money they can get. No sense of ethics or value. No respect for the common man and no concern if the customer even dies of cancer (from used motor oil in this case).

Those terrorists are right. Our system *is* the root of all evil on Earth. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! No wonder they want to take it down. They probably were just shopping at WalMart and the shoes they bought a week earlier fell apart and were made from toxic waste.

Ok... got a little out of hand but this is the off topic forum. I've just had it with captialism. It doesn't work anymore, now that everyone is a greedy *sshole.

[hellosailor]

Now Sean, don't get mad, get even. Contact the FDA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission about your concerns, let them visit the importer/seller.

The problem isn't capitalism, it's all the liberal wanks who keep interfering with capitalism. You know, the democrats who say "No, Mister Sullivan, you cannot tear the head off the guy who sold you that deathtrap, that's not nice." You tear off a few heads, stick 'em on pikes, pretty soon people start calling you "Vlad the Impaler" and the cheap peddlers stay away. Works MUCH better than calling lawyers.

Used motor oil...lead based paint...You know, it could just be junk, as opposed to toxic junk. Did you get into the caffienated stuff all by yourself this morning?<G>

[ssullivan]

Ha ha ha... thanks HelloSailor. I'm definitely fired up, and I don't even drink coffee.

The lead paint thought is questionable. However, the used motor oil is definitely used motor oil. I've changed enough to know how that stuff smells. It's got the color and smell of it and it was used to lubricate all the working parts inside the grinder. It's pitch black, and has that viscocity and color. The smell definitely gives it away too.

Anyway, thanks for the post. I don't know who is to blame, but I'd sure like to pike the guy who sold me this thing.

[knottybuoyz]

Hey Sully

How did you pay for the item? Mastercard, Visa, Paypal etc. All usually have purchase protection for situations like this. First recourse is to check the sellers return policy and contact them for remediation. If they refuse then you can report the fraudulant product to E-Bay. Check their policies as they may differ from those here on e-Bay.ca If the vendor is up front all you stand to loose might be the shipping but from the description you've given it sounds like the shipping might be more than the price of the grinder. Leaving negative feedback on e-Bay might expedite a solution from the vendor.

Rick

[ssullivan]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the info. Yes, the shipping is of course, more than the product. That's where they get you.

I'll give the vendor a day or two to respond before leaving my eBay comment. You know, the funny part is the vendor has good comments and was great with customer service. It's in the product that they failed.

[Maine Sail]

Fist off capitalism works and is driven by what the market wants. In your case you wanted to be a cheap skate and therefore went where all the cheap skates go eBay! Everyone knows the quality of the crap on eBay is 80% junk 20% rare items selling for more than they should.

So you bought junk! You got what you were looking for and are a total hypocrit for blaming capitalism when you are part of the cause of this lowest common denominator situation by buying junk off eBay and trying to "save a few bucks". This is what happens when you stop supporting a brick and mortar location such as Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond or your local kitchen store. It's people like you who DON'T want to pay for quality that force the Wal*Marts of the world to source products in China. My entire surround sound stereo system from speakers to amps is Made in the USA how many folks can say that? Now bear in mind it cost over $15k and not many Americans are willing to pay for a quality product when they can buy a Chinese made speaker or receiver for $99.00..

A brick and mortar actually has a human being in store that can talk you through the pros & cons of meat grinder A vs. meat grinder B. A brick and mortar is also significatly more honest, with the products they sell, than ANYONE on eBay because they actually have to deal with you face to face and uphold a reputaion in a given geography. What local reputaion does someone have to uphold that is selling a meat grinder on eBay to the entire planet.

Get over your self you are Capitalism and if it were not for Capitalism you would probably not even OWN a boat or be a sailor!!!

OTOH, it is amazing how many items can not be found in the "Brick & Mortars". I have no problem with capitalism, it is greed that I have a problem with.
Sean, you would be amazed at the response you will get from EBay sellers when you threaten bad feedback. It is likely they wil eat the shipping. I have had great experiences all save one on EBay. And that one, I did get exactly what was in the photo, even if the damage was not visible in the photo

[hellosailor]

Acoustic, $15,000 stereo systems never were mass market goods.

And thieves were--and are--ripping off customers in brick-n-mortar stores long before those SAME THIEVES ever started using the internet.

That Sean chose to take a gamble, or whether he can return the goods, is the same gamble that folks used to take a hundred years ago when they bought things from that newfangled Sears-And-Roebuck company.

Never bought a POS from a real store? What about the many folks who bought "lemons" from car dealers for fifty years? Yeah, brick and mortar. Changes nothing, except your ability to lay hands on the goods--sometimes. For what little good that may do you.

[ssullivan]

Acoustic:

I'll be civil, since you are a newbie and I'm a mod who doesn't want to be too inflammatory.

Calling someone a cheapskate is not really the best way to get noticed as a valuable new member of a forum. I went to eBay because it's a legitimate purchasing platform for buying items that are not available in my local area. If you tried looking around for places to purchase a meat grinder that is useful on a boat and does not require power, you might have crafted a more intelligent response.

Did I *not* say in this very thread that I try to avoid Chinese made products? How do you then say that it's my fault for buying them? Did I *not* say above that the product was not clearly marked as to its origins?

Please try reading before firing off your mouth next time. It's what we do on this forum. We think, then we respond.

Lastly, capitalism, despite all the drivel you have been spoon fed and swallowed whole, is not a working system for the common people. I am not saying anything else is better, but we are clearly in the more developed stages of capitalism right now:

*Wage depression/stagnation
*Shoddy products (even at your bricks and mortar stores) that are made offshore - pick up your fancy Williams Sonoma blender. Where's it made?
*Massive corporate greed and a society that centers around nothing but money
*Failed health system, increased homelessness
*I could go on, but shouldn't. No need.

As another final tidbit, you tell me that I wouldn't have a boat or be a sailor without capitalism, huh?

Do you know WHY I have a boat? Most people on this forum do. You don't, since you just joined. I have a boat because I cannot afford a house. I had everything taken away from me by 9/11 and Bergen County, NJ who skipped out on a $80K receivable. Did capitalism help me in any way? Nope. It basically left me to die when I lost eveything. So... please refrain from making comments about things which you are clearly mis-informed. You don't know me, and you are way out of place assuming that kind of thing.

Your personality seems to be very dominating and "know it all." This forum's kind attitude does not take well to caustic types who insult others.

PS: I am also not for any type of system - capitalism, socialism, communism, or any other corrupt form of controlling the population. If it must be known, I'm for anarchy. (look it up before you comment on it - based on the thought that went into your last post, you probably need to read up a little bit)

Learn to play nice. People on here appreciate thoughtful, kind members who help each other out. Not loud know-it-alls.

Originally Posted by Acoustic

Fist off capitalism works and is driven by what the market wants. In your case you wanted to be a cheap skate and therefore went where all the cheap skates go eBay! Everyone knows the quality of the crap on eBay is 80% junk 20% rare items selling for more than they should.

So you bought junk! You got what you were looking for and are a total hypocrit for blaming capitalism when you are part of the cause of this lowest common denominator situation by buying junk off eBay and trying to "save a few bucks". This is what happens when you stop supporting a brick and mortar location such as Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond or your local kitchen store. It's people like you who DON'T want to pay for quality that force the Wal*Marts of the world to source products in China. My entire surround sound stereo system from speakers to amps is Made in the USA how many folks can say that? Now bear in mind it cost over $15k and not many Americans are willing to pay for a quality product when they can buy a Chinese made speaker or receiver for $99.00..

A brick and mortar actually has a human being in store that can talk you through the pros & cons of meat grinder A vs. meat grinder B. A brick and mortar is also significatly more honest, with the products they sell, than ANYONE on eBay because they actually have to deal with you face to face and uphold a reputaion in a given geography. What local reputaion does someone have to uphold that is selling a meat grinder on eBay to the entire planet.

Get over your self you are Capitalism and if it were not for Capitalism you would probably not even OWN a boat or be a sailor!!!

BUT BUT, Sean, I thought I WAS appreciated

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by Acoustic

My entire surround sound stereo system from speakers to amps is Made in the USA how many folks can say that? Now bear in mind it cost over $15k and not many Americans are willing to pay for a quality product when they can buy a Chinese made speaker or receiver for $99.00..

Wow! You proved my pont for me.

The median income in Maine is $52K/year for a the average household. (Source: Income - Median Family Income in the Past 12 Months (In 2005 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) by Number of Earners in Family)

After taxes, this amounts to $36,400 take home pay, not counting contributions to health care, 401K and other pre-paycheck expenses. This is for an average household in Maine.

So, are you really suggesting capitalism is working so well when in order to purchase a decent American made stereo, you have to spend 41.2% of your annual take home income?? You can't be serious.

Also, while were talking how great capitalism is, should you really have to spend $300,000 plus taxes and upkeep on your home in Maine in order to shelter yourself?

This figure is the average home price in Maine, which is $175,000 (including the low cost shacks up North), figuring in a 5% mortgage rate.

This is equal to about 8 1/2 years of continuous work, not counting property takes, upkeep, etc... In reality, aside from American stereos, our average Maine family still has to pay for childcare, child costs, transportation, fuel, insurance, etc... all out of their $36,400 take home.

Now tell me: How is this a good system? How could our family afford to become sailors and have a house? How can they afford to better themselves or start a business? How can they do anything but get up every day and go in to punch the clock to pay off these massive costs with their relatively meager earnings?

They can't.

They are stuck as wage slaves for the rest of their lives.

They can't afford a boat and a house. They must choose or the other, just like I had to.

[Maine Sail]

I was off base having been screwd over on every eBay purchase I have made. My wife dented a wheel on her Honda and I purchased a "factory Honda" rim that was not a Honda rim at all! I could go on and on about how bad the sellers are on ebay but why.. Yes I have bought junk at brick and mortar but I have always had recourse. My eBay sales have been nightmares and I can't ever see buying off there again.

This meat grinder looks nice and it says it's cast iron. You'll need to scroll down to see it..
meatgrinder.com, Electric Meat Grinders, Sausage Grinding, meat chopper, meat mincer, hobart, univex, porkert, sausage making supplies, cabelas, butcher equipment
Sorry for the assault but I'm a beleiver in Capitalism. Grew up barely lower to middle class, paid for my own college and am now living very comfortably (not rich) due to hard work and the fact that Capitalism has allowed me & given me the opportunity to be successful..

[sluissa]

I'm going to have to agree with sean. I could say more, but it's either already been said, or I don't know of any way to say it right. I'll just stick with, "Hear hear!"


Edit: one thing to add, it seems to me, even by yourself, and even cutting down each tree and cutting it up for lumber, and possibly even going as far as making your own nails, it would take ALOT less than 8 years to build your own house... especially if you went the easy way, and used cement instead of wood. in any case... very few houses would take 8 years to build under any circumstances

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by ssullivan

Wow! You proved my pont for me.

The median income in Maine is $52K/year for a the average household. (Source: Income - Median Family Income in the Past 12 Months (In 2005 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) by Number of Earners in Family)

After taxes, this amounts to $36,400 take home pay, not counting contributions to health care, 401K and other pre-paycheck expenses. This is for an average household in Maine.

So, are you really suggesting capitalism is working so well when in order to purchase a decent American made stereo, you have to spend 41.2% of your annual take home income?? You can't be serious.

Also, while were talking how great capitalism is, should you really have to spend $300,000 plus taxes and upkeep on your home in Maine in order to shelter yourself?

This figure is the average home price in Maine, which is $175,000 (including the low cost shacks up North), figuring in a 5% mortgage rate.

This is equal to about 8 1/2 years of continuous work, not counting property takes, upkeep, etc... In reality, aside from American stereos, our average Maine family still has to pay for childcare, child costs, transportation, fuel, insurance, etc... all out of their $36,400 take home.

Now tell me: How is this a good system? How could our family afford to become sailors and have a house? They can't. They can only afford one or the other, just like me.

Two wrongs don't make a right I have apologized and now you're on the attack.

I don't know how most people in Maine make it? The taxes up hear are ridiculous. My property taxes alone are 6k and this house did NOT cost 300K. I'm 38 and have worked very, very hard to get where I am. I've done it so others should be able to as well. I don't blame anyone but me for my mistakes and I've made them! The problem with this country is that everyones failure is someone elses problem and no one is willing ot accept responsibility..

Again I'm sorry for my above post I must have had a hair across my ass when I got out of bed....

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by sluissa

I'm going to have to agree with sean. I could say more, but it's either already been said, or I don't know of any way to say it right. I'll just stick with, "Hear hear!"


Edit: one thing to add, it seems to me, even by yourself, and even cutting down each tree and cutting it up for lumber, and possibly even going as far as making your own nails, it would take ALOT less than 8 years to build your own house... especially if you went the easy way, and used cement instead of wood. in any case... very few houses would take 8 years to build under any circumstances

8 1/2 years of continuous work to pay for the 300k house not build it. Unless I read it wrong...