On 1 Jun 2006 18:58:28 -0700, "RicodJour"
wrote:

Swingman wrote:
"Frank Boettcher" wrote in message
"Swingman" wrote:

......................... and MBA's are shot on sight, you
will continue to see an increase in shoddy goods and services.

Is that any different than expressing the sentiment that anyone who
buys crap should be shot on sight?

I have an MBA. I also spent a number of years on the factory floor
actually making things. And I've had many face to face contacts with
the end user customers. For educational value, I consider them
equal.

So, you are possibly a rare exception to the concepts that foster corporate
greed, the idea that managers need no in-depth experience with a product in
order to "manage", and taught by those who can't spell "Adam Smith",
resulting in what you see happening today in corporate America?

Congratulations for escaping a national shame/disgrace.

It's not simply a supply side myopia. People don't sell what people
don't buy. There are many people who believe that squeaking by with a
purchase is a cost effective way of buying. People who rely on their
tools and equipment, or other item, to not let them down and hold their
purchases to a higher standard than just being acceptable, are willing
to pay a premium.

You are right on this. I don't know how many shows I've worked and
had small cab shop owners talk machines. They were interested in
absolute reliability, longevity, accuracy and repeatibility, safety
and compliance with safety standards, and service back up. The machine
is just a means to an end. Purchase price rarely came up and only in
reference to comparison to someone else's premium machine.

Unfortunately, they are the smaller market component. The market is
driven by lust for shelf space at the big box and that is all
manufacturers focus on.

Manufacturers have forgotten that they built their reputations on the
what today is the small part of the market.

Frank

It'd be wonderful if the higher standards were prevalent, and the
quality of merchandise greatly improved. Unfortunately that would come
at a price. Far fewer people would be able to afford and/or justify
the purchase at the increased price, economies of scale would go down,
the price would go up further...

It seems to me that it's just another example of the bell curve. The
majority is willing to buy the lower cost, more easily affordable item
that is of acceptable quality (acceptable to them). I'm not about to
restrict other people's right to spend or squander their money. So
who's fault is it, really? The buyer's or the seller's?

R