Cheap radiators on Ebay
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Cheap radiators on Ebay
We are being bombarded with China radiators on ebay with amazing prices that seem too good to be true. They offer Life time Warranties and a bunch of specifications as to the fin spacing and 3-rows of tubes. Some of them fit, some of them don't.
How do they do it?
The government of China wants to take over the radiator industry in the USA. They will give the aluminum material to the manufacturer at no cost and the builder sells the radiator for the cost to produce it. Then the Government pays them in rebates. This government subsidized program is impossible to compete with in the USA. We have to buy our material, pay our employees, and make a profit to survive.
All the USA radiator companies are talking about it. Asking each other what can we do? The answer is that there is nothing we can do about it. All we can do is continue to operate our business on value, quality, and customer service.
How do they do it?
The government of China wants to take over the radiator industry in the USA. They will give the aluminum material to the manufacturer at no cost and the builder sells the radiator for the cost to produce it. Then the Government pays them in rebates. This government subsidized program is impossible to compete with in the USA. We have to buy our material, pay our employees, and make a profit to survive.
All the USA radiator companies are talking about it. Asking each other what can we do? The answer is that there is nothing we can do about it. All we can do is continue to operate our business on value, quality, and customer service.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Sadly for companies in the USA if what you are saying is true then it will be just around the bend that China import radiators will be just as good as the USA made ones but at a better price, ( some might already be )
I already see posts of people who have bought import units and love them,
I know this is bad for USA businesses but what is the answer?, for USA companies to cut prices?.....they say they can't so if China can build the same item cheaper then it's sadly a dead end for the USA company
I already see posts of people who have bought import units and love them,
I know this is bad for USA businesses but what is the answer?, for USA companies to cut prices?.....they say they can't so if China can build the same item cheaper then it's sadly a dead end for the USA company
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: chippawa ontario
All the USA radiator companies are talking about it. Asking each other what can we do? The answer is that there is nothing we can do about it. All we can do is continue to operate our business on value, quality, and customer service.
Last edited by normshark; May 12, 2011 at 08:29 PM. Reason: cant spel
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
I sent one of those sellers an E-mail to ask where they came from. The answer was China, so I won't buy it. I'll wait longer but will buy a USA made item.
I don't think the quality from there is as good as our's. AT least in the gun industry it's that way. Fit and finish is average at best.
It's all no big deal until it hits one's business, Then it's time to do something. They have to much of our money on a National basis, I won't send them mine. I'll pay more, but I'll feel beter about it.
My Opinion
I don't think the quality from there is as good as our's. AT least in the gun industry it's that way. Fit and finish is average at best.
It's all no big deal until it hits one's business, Then it's time to do something. They have to much of our money on a National basis, I won't send them mine. I'll pay more, but I'll feel beter about it.
My Opinion
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
The American consumer is more important to the well being of this country than at any other time since the Great Depression.
Please, take the time to look for American products, shop at your local farmers markets and corner hardware stores. Keep your dollars local for the health of your neighbor and your friends.
God bless Mr. DeWitt and people like him who continue to make high quality products and employ American workers. Now it's up to us to keep them afloat.
Please, take the time to look for American products, shop at your local farmers markets and corner hardware stores. Keep your dollars local for the health of your neighbor and your friends.
God bless Mr. DeWitt and people like him who continue to make high quality products and employ American workers. Now it's up to us to keep them afloat.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
Tom, keep it up mate, when I received your radiator I felt like I got my money's worth indeed. The radiators you sell are very well made - I was seriously impressed and I know there's plenty of people out there just like me. Your brand name adds value to my 'Vette for knowledgeable buyers.
Simon.
Simon.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
There will always be a market for products made to a better standard, and "made in the USA". That market has shrunk somewhat due to the recent economic downturn, and I'm certain some customers are lured away by the "fire sale" pricing. The cycle will turn, and times will improve; and customers who are dissatisfied with their "cheap" goods will spend to replace the junk. We've all lived through the Taiwan, India and SriLankan ascendencies and wanings... we're (mostly) still here.
What worries me more is the possibility that "engineered, sourced and manufactured" all in the USA might no longer be possible in manufacturing... take Mag-Lite as an example. I read recently that Mag-Lite cannot use the "Made in the USA" label on their products... not because the owners have not tried doggedly to source all their components here, but because they could not find an American manufacturer to provide their light bulbs, and a specific o-ring needed in the lights. I worry how many US companies find themselves in a similar fix since the US has exported so many jobs in the name of short term company profits?
What worries me more is the possibility that "engineered, sourced and manufactured" all in the USA might no longer be possible in manufacturing... take Mag-Lite as an example. I read recently that Mag-Lite cannot use the "Made in the USA" label on their products... not because the owners have not tried doggedly to source all their components here, but because they could not find an American manufacturer to provide their light bulbs, and a specific o-ring needed in the lights. I worry how many US companies find themselves in a similar fix since the US has exported so many jobs in the name of short term company profits?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
They are polluting the water and the sky. They are poisoning their own people. Factories had to be shut down to hold the Olympics. What DeWitt is talking about is economic terrorism. Customs should have a "sniff" test. If it looks like an American product, quarantine it until patents and licenses are checked, then QC it for its intended purpose.
Sorry for the rant but know something is wrong when you can buy finished parts from China cheaper than you can manufacture them here...
Rob
Sorry for the rant but know something is wrong when you can buy finished parts from China cheaper than you can manufacture them here...
Rob
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
the Chinese don`t care, the US government doesn`t care and for the most part the US consumer doesn`t care. China owns us and they can pretty much do as they please....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,726
Likes: 1,900
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Made in China = MADE LIKE CRAP...... 
Cheap, cheeeeeezy, with zero quality control PERIOD !!!
You get whatcha pay for !!!
Cheap, cheeeeeezy, with zero quality control PERIOD !!!
You get whatcha pay for !!!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I've seen Delco horns made in Taiwan that say right on them Made in USA.
Very confusing.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
How much are the Chinese radiators being sold for? I'm seeing American made radiators being sold for C3s in the $199 range. I can't see any radiators being sold for much less than that, at least not enough to make it worthwhile to go with a Chinese one.
Now when it comes to customers looking for a high quality radiator then I don't see them being a problem for a company like yours. There are still people who are going to go after the cheaper American made because they can't afford to pay more or see no need to have more.
I looked at ebay and not sure who is American made or who is Chinese for my year model but they were all around $200. Just curious what the Chinese are selling theirs for.
Now when it comes to customers looking for a high quality radiator then I don't see them being a problem for a company like yours. There are still people who are going to go after the cheaper American made because they can't afford to pay more or see no need to have more.
I looked at ebay and not sure who is American made or who is Chinese for my year model but they were all around $200. Just curious what the Chinese are selling theirs for.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
The only companies I know of that ARE made in the USA are:
Griffin
Be-cool
Wizard
Ron Davis
DeWitts
If it's not one of these, then assume it was made in China.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Cheap/China Same Same As I get older, it means more to me to buy American and buy quality than it did years ago. Then the market wasn't flooded with China junk like it is now. It isn't difficult to look at two items and see quality.
I'm about to buy a welder. I can get one from China for $600 off Ebay, or the Lincoln 225 here for $2,000. I'll be happy with the Lincoln I'd regret the one from China as it would be coming out of the box.
I'm about to buy a welder. I can get one from China for $600 off Ebay, or the Lincoln 225 here for $2,000. I'll be happy with the Lincoln I'd regret the one from China as it would be coming out of the box.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
I'm not defending "made in China" - but all products are not "cheap/junk". iPhones and all iPads are made there (and they are noted for great quality). The company that manufactures them is Foxconn.
My .02
(ok, radiators aren't that technical - they probably are poor quality - I have no experience with one of these)
Last edited by udornf4; May 13, 2011 at 05:58 PM.
