Johns Hopkins Medical Centre - World Coronavirus infection Map by Country.

[walpurgis]

I buy cheap. Ethics are for those who can afford them.

[Marco]

Indeed - and there's no argument about that. However, there are PLENTY of wealthy folks around who are UNETHICAL - and they all need a BOOT up the arse!

Marco.

[Marco]

So you're not buying British made?....

Not always. I'm not biased towards British. Why would I be? I'm Italian! However, I'm generally biased against mass-produced Chinese tat. So if there's a non-Chinese option, for any product I'm interested in, and it fulfils the necessary criteria [and crucially *is* better, not just dearer], then that's what I'll buy

Marco.

[mad-moon]

Indeed, but as I said, you avoid it *as much as possible*, and although my Mercedes may contain some non-German parts, it's still MADE in Germany. The same as my Miele induction hob, oven, etc, which likely will also contain some Chinese parts. You do what you can, mate.

And there are plenty of clothes and footwear, if you go to proper (often privately owned) menswear shops, not cheap High Street discounters, which sell products made in the UK. Yes, of course this stuff isn't cheap and may cost many times more than something that's mass-produced in a 'sweat shop', but (if looked after) will generally last ten times longer, so pays for itself in the end, especially things such as jackets, coats and footwear. Unless you're a hapless fashion victim!

However, my point is, *if* you can afford it [this doesn't apply to anyone else], then that is what you should be buying, instead of cheap tat. Problem is, too many folks who can afford it (and bearing in mind we live in a largely wealthy country where people spend inordinate amounts of money on ALL sorts), will often still buy cheap tat (Chinese or other), either through laziness and/or nonsensical 'tight-waddery', regardless or what or whom may be suffering as a consequence!

Our next kettle, btw (once the Stallar goes pop) will be a Smeg, to match our espresso machine: https://www.smeguk.com/products/KLF04RDUK

Plus, with full spares available (unlike cheap, disposable Chinese tat), and as we look after our stuff, it should last us 'forever'

Marco.

There's cheap tat parts in Smeg gear too..and you're gonna spend £160 on a kettle...?..You've clearly got too much money

[struth]

If buying second hand, then country of origin is mostly mute. I try to avoid chinese goods but its becoming mostly impossible these days. So i try and buy "good" chinese goods. If i can buy from other countries i do, like taiwan etc

[Marco]

There's cheap tat parts in Smeg gear too..

Lol - you keep on repeating the same point! Please pay attention: *I do know that*, and have already said so. The point is that the company producing the goods isn't Chinese

...and you're gonna spend £160 on a kettle...?..You've clearly got too much money

How so? We've worked hard for our money and don't smoke, gamble or drink (to excess), so why not spend it instead on something nice, which is tangible, that we can enjoy everyday for years? Plus, as I've said, but again you've obviously not been paying attention - full spares are available, so it will last for YEARS. Unlike a lot of mass-produced, 'disposable tat'.

So... How much is £160, over say 10 years?

And besides, how much do chavs spend on booze, fags, drugs and scratch cards, Netflix and McDonalds, per annum? And they have feck all to show for it!!

Marco.

[mad-moon]

Lol - you keep repeating the same point! Please pay attention: *I do know that*, and have already said so. The company producing the goods isn't Chinese



How so? We've worked hard for our money and don't smoke, gamble or drink (to excess), so why not spend it instead on something nice, which is tangible, that we can enjoy everyday for years? How much do chavs spend on booze, fags, drugs and scratch cards, per annum?

Marco.

I suppose Indonesia isn't China.......I'd want 6 or 7 kettles for £160.00

[Marco]

Good for you - we can't all be the same, can we? Do you begrudge someone who can afford it having nice things? It's beginning to sound like it, mate. That isn't a very endearing trait..

And besides, I'm sure plenty of folks (members of the general public) would say that about your hi-fi system - 'I could buy 10,000 iPods from Tesco for that!

It's all relative.

Marco.

[struth]

my new kettle was from china.. i got it on an offer and is now 60 quid, but it is clever and very good quality. best one ive ever had.. im hoping it will be long living as i dont use it an awful lot and use filtered water in it(use it for tea)

[Marco]

Yup, and that's well worth the money. If I wasn't a SMEGHEAD and wanted something to match our expresso machine (as it looks nice in our bespoke kitchen - yes that wasn't mass-produced either, haha), I could've been tempted!

Marco.