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Poorly Made in China: An Insider's Account of the China Production Game Paperback – January 11, 2011

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Paul Midler (Author)
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Paul Midler (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 177 customer reviews
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Frequently Bought Together

  • Poorly Made in China: An Insider's Account of the China Production Game
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  • 42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China (2nd Edition): A Practical Handbook for Doing Business in China, Special Economic Zones, Factory Tours and Manufacturing Quality
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (January 11, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0470928077
  • ISBN-13: 978-0470928073
  • Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (177 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsLike he was with me on every buy
By Man from New York on July 16, 2010
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I have done business in China since 1986. I know from experience how tricky and dangerous it is, especially for the newcomer. Curiously Mr. Midler refers to suppliers in Shantou (Canton Province) and I too have many suppliers there. Apparently this behavior amongst the Chinese is across the board no matter what product you work with. And they don't care no matter what threats or promises you make. I actually had one supplier who told me he would no longer sell to me because "you complain too much"! No loss to me, easily replaced you can be sure. Communists or not, the almighty greenback is king in China but as Mr. Midler makes very clear, it is not going to get you what you think you contracted for. Something close, maybe, but not right on target. The Chinese screwed up so many of my shipments that I got the distinct impression that the translaters were interpreting my directions, not translating them. So I spent years learning to speak Mandarin. I am totally fluent now, have often been mistaken for being Chinese on the telephone by those who had not yet met me. No matter, I told them straight out what I wanted in their own language and STILL they basically did it wrong to shave off a few bucks to their advantage. I could never understand that way of thinking, in America we keep the customers happy to perpetuate our business with them, we do not consistently antagonize them. This book will open your eyes if you want to do business in China and if you are already there you cannot help but agree with everything he says. Pay close attention, he knows what he is talking about. They will go behind your back and try to deal directly with your customer, they will yes you to death and then do whatever they please without any regard for you or your customer.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsON TARGET
By Max Salvo on September 23, 2009
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Doing business in China and visiting factories there, I have witnessed many of the tactics that the author describes. While reading this book, I thought to myself over and over - "How True!".

My business experience in China is limited to one type of industry that has nothing to do with any of the industries listed in this book. Finding out that the Chinese employ the same tactics in completely different manufacturing settings was a wake up call for me. I believe the manufacturing arena in China is a type of "business culture" that is not fully understood in the West.

My experience has been dealing with small factories. We were not ordering hundreds or thousands of containers. These larger operations may be different (but I doubt it).

After reading this book I started thinking about how I once bought an item that was made fairly well. I bought the same item a year or so later and noticed a few things seemed to be made of less quality. Then another purchase a year or so later showed the item was barely worth owning. The quality had degraded in such a way that I decided to never buy again. This book explains how this happens when dealing with manufactures in China.

I recommend this book to anyone involved with doing business in China or someone who just wants to be educated on the subject.
2 Comments 92 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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5.0 out of 5 starsVery insightful book
By Renaud ANJORAN on May 26, 2009
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. I control the quality of shipments in China myself, so I recognized many situations that I previously encountered. The book is peppered with excellent insights about Chinese culture. It is also often funny, and it is very easy to read.
I would specifically recommend this book to people who are curious about the manufacturing environment in China. They will discover a whole new world.
The only downside is that the book only describes situations where importers are unprepared and fall in the traps of unscrupulous Chinese suppliers. It is not perfectly representative, but it does a great job explaining why so many quality issues originate from China.
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5.0 out of 5 starsUnfettered Chinese capitalism
By Ronald D. Mccallister on April 27, 2009
Format: Hardcover
Midler weaves his thoughtful and timely commentary in a provocative and thoroughly enjoyable format, using personal anecdotes and experiences to support significant conclusions regarding American business with China. As China rushes to expand trade, it is repeating many of the same mistakes made by U.S. manufacturers in our economic development. Midler's tales of aggressive cost reduction methods recalled the 'Muntz TV,' fabled in engineering circles for its approach to cost margin improvement: parts would simply be deleted until the TV barely functioned. The quality problem is less cultural than a reflection of intense cost competition. It demonstrates the need for China to develop consumer protection laws, OSHA-like rules, and stringent quality control if it intends to expand export trade with developed nations. Equally important, it demonstrates that American consumers need to insist that adequate standards and regulations be imposed on imported goods, from China and other `low-cost' sources.
3 Comments 54 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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5.0 out of 5 starsA totally different mindset explained
By Negyesi Pal on September 18, 2009
Format: Hardcover
I've been to China twice and I love Chinese cars for their quirkiness.

Paul's book gave me a clear explanation on why Chinese industrialists behave the way they do. There are a lot of amusing, eye-opening and just plain frightening stories included.

Once you read the book, you will have to ask a very tough question yourself: are you willing to participate in the dangerous game, where in the name of cost cutting your health will be in the hands of Chinese enterpreneurs? And more importantly, can you avoid this fate at all?

And best of all, you can quote some of the funniest stories as anecdotes in pub banters :)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great read, glad it was recommended by The Economist.

Published 3 days ago by Ian Magill
5.0 out of 5 starsIf you are interested in China, read this!

The author is an MBA who speaks Mandarin and lives in China. He works as a "middleman" between American importers and Chinese manufacturers. Read more

Published 6 days ago by olemikey
5.0 out of 5 stars"No Why": Business Edition

This book is truly amazing. I kept having to stop and read passages to friends, family, co-workers, or just anyone nearby. Equal parts hilarious and rage-inducing.

Published 1 month ago by B Strauss
3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

Interesting in parts, but quite repetitive.

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very interesting and informative book.

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer RDD
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Yikes! Whats wrong with those people?

Published 2 months ago by Robert G.
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent book on China and Chinese factories

Very well written and edited book. Enjoyable read. Provides insights into the motivations of factory owners in China and why they sell at remarkably low prices and continually cut... Read more

Published 3 months ago by Procomplex
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book!!

Great book, really opens your eyes to all the cheap China made garbage that gets imported. I encourage you to read it.

Published 3 months ago by Josh
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent read, loved it.

Excellent read, loved it. An ideal primer for those considering dealing direct with our Chinese friends. Plus plenty of anecdotes to give you a laugh.

Published 4 months ago by John Boxall
5.0 out of 5 starsGood read

An easy read and useful information for anyone who plans to work with or in Chinese culture.

Published 4 months ago by Aaron Becker

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