[JETFAN]

Maybe it would be a good thing to have to pay $200 and upwards. Then I would be forced to face up to my current addiction.....diecasts!!!!!

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by Merritec

I guess we could get a good feel for that theory here on the forum.

How many collectors would collect corgi aircraft if they were manufactured in the US and retailed for $200 for a Fighter and $400 for a Heavy? (Prices are an estimate for arguments sake. I have no idea how much it would cost to produce these in the US. It may be alot more)

Would you still buy them, or would you only collect Hobby Master, and Gemini Aces at their current prices?

I think then ole Corgi would go the way of the DoDo bird!

[tater7]

I believe that from a company standpoint, the allegiance of company officers is only to the investors. Sadly, if it makes more money for the investors to move to China that is what will happen.

[stillinamerica]

Quite frankly I am happy with corgis offerings......Ixo is trying to shake things up but there quality is not as good.

[skysurfer808]

I'm happy with Corgi's releases too. But something does bother me about the de-industrialization of the USA. When the US has to buy steel from Canada in the middle of a major armed conflict just to armor its Humvees, there is a major problem. A world power cannot maintain its status as such if it has to import components of its major weaponry. Sadly this is occurring across the board, from simple steel armor to the latest computerized systems. The USA is in a position similar to 16th century Imperial Spain, or the UK during the 40s. There are vast military commitments, a declining industrial base, and commerce that has passed into the hands of competitors. Has anyone considered the rise of China's merchant marine or shipbuilding industry. With China now the world's workship, it is now in a strategic position to trade directly with raw material suppliers in exchange for manufactured goods. The USA has been left out of the loop, and regimes can now deal directly with a nation that has few concerns for human rights.

I forsee a future where China will do to the West exactly what was done to China. Remember 18th century China was a proud self sufficient power that kept itself in isolation from "Barbarians." Within 200 years China was an economic basket case at the mercy of foreign powers that controlled its overseas trade and reaped the majority of the benefits from its economy.

Read Sun Tzu's art of war, and look at current events. Then tell me who has been playing the geostrategic game better.

Skysurfer808

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by jim

I think we should all begin to feel a little uneasy about the situation in China. The company I work for has shipped all production out there. (160 lost jobs).However I have noted that over the last 18 months or so that prices are creeping up and they want higher volumes. A couple of years ago they would grab anything and make it for next to nothing.They make our products for less than we pay for raw materials. In my opinion there will be reckoning soon. Once they have taken over most of the manufacturing from around the world I believe they will start to turn the screw and call the shots. I see a major switch in the world economy to the east. The effect of this in the west is hard to tell but I can forsee a time when the US is no longer the top dog and even worse is in a position where it must bow to the will of the new super power China. The alarm bells should be ringing loud and clear but sadly big financial Institutions are only thinking greedily of the money to be made and not the long term effects.The politicians are either in the pay of these bodies or are asleep to the problem. Protectionism is a nasty word but is it the only way out of this serious problem. Its certain now that prices are on the up and in the long term will continue to rise. Corgis problems are symptomatic of a situation that will get a lot worse. Well thats my humble opinion. Anyone in manufacturing had better watch out.

I really have to agree with you 100%. I too have been watching this whole 'China thing' for years, and aside from pure greed of the West, can't understand why we have given ourselves over completely. (shakes head) We have just handed over an important segment of our future to a foreign country. (Disclaimer: I am a business owner who runs a firm that could easily outsource offshore and cash-in on obscene profits but prefer to employ my 'neighbours' here. We are still quite profitable and I can sleep at night!)

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by JustPlaneNuttz

I really have to agree with you 100%. I too have been watching this whole 'China thing' for years, and aside from pure greed of the West, can't understand why we have given ourselves over completely. (shakes head) We have just handed over an important segment of our future to a foreign country. (Disclaimer: I am a business owner who runs a firm that could easily outsource offshore and cash-in on obscene profits but prefer to employ my 'neighbours' here. We are still quite profitable and I can sleep at night!)

Thanks for your comments. I agree with both of you, and have also been watching this issue for years. Aways back there was a story that when some US businessmen had a meeting with their counterparts in China, who were offering cheaper manufacturing facilities and labor to the Americans, one of the US businessmen threw a Zippo lighter across the table and said to the Chinese, "When you can build one of these, then come see us!" Well, I think that arrogance could now be reversed, and it would be the Chinese throwing a few things across the table, like computers, computer monitors, iPods, disk drives, mass storage devices, and just about anything made of plastic, silicon, or aluminium. Yes, higher prices are in the offering for all of us, and it is ultimately the result of the business-worlds cost-cutting greed, and our consumers' unwillingness to pay the true living-wage prices (not slave-wage prices) of the products they buy.

[Rush104]

About the money that Corgi isn't making- sounds like their management needs to have a chat with the heads of Gibson Guitars and Harley- two companies that had their struggles (mainly with quality) years ago and got it turned around.

[smartd]

Should be fun when China starts sending cheap automobiles over here and really kills manufacturing in North America.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by skysurfer808

I'm happy with Corgi's releases too. But something does bother me about the de-industrialization of the USA. When the US has to buy steel from Canada in the middle of a major armed conflict just to armor its Humvees, there is a major problem. A world power cannot maintain its status as such if it has to import components of its major weaponry. Sadly this is occurring across the board, from simple steel armor to the latest computerized systems. The USA is in a position similar to 16th century Imperial Spain, or the UK during the 40s. There are vast military commitments, a declining industrial base, and commerce that has passed into the hands of competitors. Has anyone considered the rise of China's merchant marine or shipbuilding industry. With China now the world's workship, it is now in a strategic position to trade directly with raw material suppliers in exchange for manufactured goods. The USA has been left out of the loop, and regimes can now deal directly with a nation that has few concerns for human rights.

I forsee a future where China will do to the West exactly what was done to China. Remember 18th century China was a proud self sufficient power that kept itself in isolation from "Barbarians." Within 200 years China was an economic basket case at the mercy of foreign powers that controlled its overseas trade and reaped the majority of the benefits from its economy.

Read Sun Tzu's art of war, and look at current events. Then tell me who has been playing the geostrategic game better.

Skysurfer808

Skysurfer's analysis holds many truths. One of the great strengths of China is its patience - patience that translates into long-term vision and strategy, measured not in years, but in decades and multiples thereof.

Also, its world view (weltanschauung) of being the 'Middle Kingdom' (that which stands between heaven and the rest of the world) plays a considerable role in its activities on the global stage.