Shocking Views on TE of 448K & 827 Replies in Just over 3 Months – Buying from US!

[terence_fdes]

WHY BUYING FROM THE US - A DESPERATION THREAD!

Certainly, All TE records have been broken at this post created by @sg3707 in all his sincerity as he returns back to India and wanting to HELP us all in procuring reasonably priced components – WITHOUT the hassles of Undue Taxes or Other Camouflaged Prices.

WHY HAVE WE REACHED THIS DESPERATE STAGE IN INDIA Today – Even as our PM keeps meeting Every Other Global CEO (to foster discussions & business with India-Global relations) – since 2014 from Bill Gates to Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Sam Altman, Elon Musk et. And an a “Make-In-India” Dream!

And as the Rupee is Scaling At an All Time Low from Rs 61.010 in 2014 to Rs 82.695 in March 2024 & even as we are jettisoned and bombarded by a volume of Taxes that are incomprehensible – Except to State that If we Directly Procure any Product from USA or Anywhere Else Globally – the GOI will Rape & Mutilate us!

So Welcome to the New #MakeInIndia of Zero Quality or the Latest in IT at affordable or astronomical Prices.

 

[nRiTeCh]

Obviously this MII thing is crap. By the time we come equal to the current levels of todays china/US, those nations will be 1000 times ahead of us in that time. We can never setup foundries like the ones developed nations have.
Indian govt. only attracts wait will say lure foreign investments by offering them this that subsidiaries and once that foreign co. starts making profits here, this same govt. will try to exploit aka loot them in every possible manner in the name of unpaid taxes, violations, licenses etc. and ensure that co. suffers huge loses and finally exists India by loosing or donating all their hard earnings to our govt. This cycle continues and will keep going on and on..

And only aam admi like us suffer like how govt. has banned aliexpress and we all are suffering.. Out govt. has least interest in what techno and hobbyist like or deserve, instead they only focus on those forefathers ancient crap policies and traditions.
Then we try to buy something from ebay and amazon us we are again looted badly by our so called customs. Thus, openly govt. is there only to loot aam aaadmi of his aam and guthlis leaving only chilkas to cherish..

Now, all sort of bhakts will come to rant and debate but wont agree with the facts and reality..

 

[logistopath]

@terence_fdes Hate to point this out but that thread was created in 2010. It is over 14 years old.

 

[ashish]

@terence_fdes Hate to point this out but that thread was created in 2010. It is over 14 years old.

Which is still going strong in 2024 as well.

 

[enthusiast29]

Which is still going strong in 2024 as well.

Which states that this is not new and has been happening since over a decade.
Real question is what ticked OP's brain to be so furious about this today and start this rant thread.

 

[BullettuPaandi]

Off-topic, but on-rant:

I'm generally inclined more towards protectionism than free-trade, as long as it is devised such that it'd enable us to be competitive enough for free trade sometime in the foresee-able future.

Developed countries of today took the protectionist route, of some sort, till they got to 'kick away the ladder'. So this game is bound to get harder for the later ones; such as us.

So, all this would be tolerable, at least by me, if there is a convincing picture of us getting out of this. But I feel like our govts., yes both, at least as of yet have only been interested in the deals this brings. This means duties are intended to get manufacturers talk with them, rather than for a revenue stream.

All this would be something to put up with, if it'd translate to, say, someone working for an FDI company for whatever wage being able to do better on exports someday. This doesn't seem to be happening. There seems to be no regard for things like labour welfare, which are usually part of protectionist measures.

If you'd put all this and the rampant cronyism together, it paints a rather bleak picture. Worse yet, sensationalising all this as nationalism still works like a charm!

 

[logistopath]

@ashish @enthusiast29
Agreed.. topic is very relevant to this day. Unfortunately, it will stay relevant even after another 20 years. Only when the quality of make in India products increases, it will make importing stuff useless. To my knowledge, people take huge pains importing stuff since the quality of these products are great. Availability is another factor. And as long as corrupt practices are accepted, our make in India products will stay inferior in quality. Merely assembling low quality Chinese parts does not make it manufactured in India.

 

[ibose]

It is the lack of availability. Most of the time, we have to import stuff just because it isn't even available here, let alone making it here.

 

[rsaeon]

WHY BUYING FROM THE US

Personally, I've been struggling to find anything worth buying from the west. It's mostly been the east the last few years for me.

Our population density makes for an incredible consumer-friendly second-hand market for the mainstream products that I have an interest in — computer hardware and cameras/lenses. And new items are easily procurable here with EMI. Most of my new purchases over 3k since the lockdown have been on EMI, I cap my EMI's at 30% of my monthly income in a desperate attempt to learn financial responsibility (it was 50% before lockdown).

I've also started to compromise on want vs need. I remember when I was younger, I would feel that I absolutely needed a Nano-ITX motherboard for a particular build I had in mind. So in my head, it made sense to pay for shipping and customs to procure it. The person I am today is perfectly fine with accepting a NUC or refurbished USFF desktop as an easily available alternative because really, how much space is that Nano-ITX system is going to save anyway?

I've also developed the mindset that whatever I own/build should be easily replaceable if it blows up or breaks down — I'm not really interested in owning relying on anything that's hard-to-find or one-of-a-kind. I want to be able to get productive use out of whatever it may be, with as little 'down time' as possible if something goes wrong with it. Somewhat oddly, I've also lost interest in popular culture that revolves around movies/music/comics — basically any kind of fandom. So I don't own or collect any merch or media. My curiosity of these things are usually solved with reading Wikipedia's plot summary or watching a random "10 things you missed from Shrek 3" type video. To put it philosophically, rather than consume something created by someone else, I want to create something of my own — and that's what my purchases revolve around. The obvious exceptions to this are books and games, ha.

The things I do want to import these are either incredibly country-specific (paper that's only manufactured in Japan), or obscure enough to be not easily available here (super small quick-release bases/plates). There's also vintage/antiquated cameras/hardware that I seek out every now and then, but they're never at a priority so it's usually relatives that bring them over instead of paying for shipping/customs.

 

[PunkX 75]

Make in India is a load of hokey crap.

Remember the Jio book? Proudly advertised as "Made in India"? Manufactured - China.

We simply do not have the discipline/infrastructure to maintain any semblance of quality.

As pointed out above, the govt only gives a hoot when it comes to charging customs/taxes. That's why we can't have nice things (easily).

They come up with random BS "initiatives" like the recent restrictions on laptop imports to boost "local manufacturing". We saw how that turned out.

 

[vivek.krishnan]

According to me, people are targeting the wrong thing. As someone who has worked in manufacturing and services both, I have seen both sides.

Rather ask, if the items are being made in our country, why is not cheaper than importing from abroad. Where are the savings going? Are the companies profiteering from this. Should the govt be setting up anti-profiteering for this as well, same as they did for GST?

In the long run, MII is good, but it also depends on our mindset.

 

[PunkX 75]

According to me, people are targeting the wrong thing. As someone who has worked in manufacturing and services both, I have seen both sides.

Rather ask, if the items are being made in our country, why is not cheaper than importing from abroad. Where are the savings going? Are the companies profiteering from this. Should the govt be setting up anti-profiteering for this as well, same as they did for GST?

In the long run, MII is good, but it also depends on our mindset.

Exactly. With how iPhones were being made in India. Where were the savings for the common man?

 

[vivek.krishnan]

Remember the Jio book? Proudly advertised as "Made in India"? Manufactured - China.

We simply do not have the discipline/infrastructure to maintain any semblance of quality.

Thats because for the initial run, no company will jump the gun and make everything from scratch.

There were plans to make the items in India eventually, same as they are doing for the Jio Phone - my ex company makes the body for the same in Hosur.

As pointed out above, the govt only gives a hoot when it comes to charging customs/taxes. That's why we can't have nice things (easily).

Thats called protectionism

They come up with random BS "initiatives" like the recent restrictions on laptop imports to boost "local manufacturing". We saw how that turned out.

Well, it spurred local initiatives for sure.

My ex company is now investing for making the body for larger electronic components - design/trial/pilot and final. Earlier we used to make small ones, which went to China because of cost, now hoping it will come back.

 

[solo_wing]

It is the lack of availability. Most of the time, we have to import stuff just because it isn't even available here, let alone making it here.

This.
I have had to continuously order some outdoor gear from abroad . There is nothing even decent available here and some that are very costly of an already costly item ( even in USA) plus the size is limited availability here . Literally no choice but to order if from abroad if you need.

It is not like USA is cheap for me.

Last year I paid $320( it had to come through two countries) just for extra baggage from USA to India for 20kg stuff I had ordered.

Edit: Rahul's service was god sent for me. as long as it was available.

 

[vivek.krishnan]

Now, will come to rant and debate but wont agree with the facts and reality..

People who have not worked in the manufacturing sector will also continue to post like yours. MII is not bad, its being badly implemented and checks and balances are needed to sort things. Which I think are also being done, the PLI scheme recieved an overhaul in 2023 which will also link quality output.

 

[Emperor]

Penicillin G is the active pharmaceutical ingredient used in several common antibiotics.​

Why was manufacturing in India stopped in the 90s, and why did it take so long to resume?​

Read this Article in Indian Express

 

[dpandey]

And as the Rupee is Scaling At an All Time Low from Rs 61.010 in 2014 to Rs 82.695 in March 2024 ...

Compare this with previous two decades (Source https://www.bankbazaar.com/currency-exchange/historical-value-of-1-usd-in-inr.html)
1994 - Rs 31.37 per USD
2004 - Rs 45.32 per USD 44% increase
2014 - Rs 62.33 per USD 37.5% increase
2024 - Rs 83.31 per USD 33.65% increase

What is unusual about the last decade?

Use the following link to see how other currencies have fared against the USD in the last decade

US Dollar to British Pound Exchange Rate Chart | Xe

USD to GBP currency chart. XE’s free live currency conversion chart for US Dollar to British Pound allows you to pair exchange rate history for up to 10 years.

www.xe.com

JPY: 48% cheaper
EURO: 28% cheaper
GBP: 33% cheaper
INR: 38% cheaper
PKR (Number 1): 184% cheaper

 

[nRiTeCh]

People who have not worked in the manufacturing sector will also continue to post like yours. MII is not bad, its being badly implemented and checks and balances are needed to sort things. Which I think are also being done, the PLI scheme recieved an overhaul in 2023 which will also link quality output.

Nobody is against MII but the way it started esp. their oc claims, the hopes have been shattered and we are left with just local chinese assemblies labeling as MII.

Before banning something, ensure to match those standards & mfg such stuff locally and abundantly.

What india did as a revenge is directly banned AliExpress just one of those hastily taken decisions as if thats goona affect China. In fact China must have had a great laugh at us...khud k pair pe kuradi marna literally.

We cannot straightway compete with US/China but should at least up to a certain extent where we are relaxed and dont have to resort to imports for most of the stuff and nor we have to repent on MII decision. This will of course happen someday but in which era only God knows!

@ashish @enthusiast29
Agreed.. topic is very relevant to this day. Unfortunately, it will stay relevant even after another 20 years. Only when the quality of make in India products increases, it will make importing stuff useless. To my knowledge, people take huge pains importing stuff since the quality of these products are great. Availability is another factor. And as long as corrupt practices are accepted, our make in India products will stay inferior in quality. Merely assembling low quality Chinese parts does not make it manufactured in India.

Exactly my point. It will happen but we wont be alive to see that light of the day..
And hence we have such type of threads..

Buying from US - Best Deals - Discussion Thread

Many of us have relatives, friends, brothers, parents etc..... in US. Most of the electronic items are pretty cheap over there. I wanted to start this thread during Thanks giving but thought no one is interested. But seeing some may require basic help and some are having good knowledge on...

techenclave.com

 

[terence_fdes]

Nobody is against MII but the way it started esp. their oc claims, the hopes have been shattered and we are left with just local chinese assemblies labeling as MII.
We cannot straightway compete with US/China but should at least up to a certain extent where we are relaxed and dont have to resort to imports for most of the stuff and nor we have to repent on MII decision. This will of course happen someday but in which era only God knows!

Exactly my point. It will happen but we wont be alive to see that light of the day..
And hence we have such type of threads..

Buying from US - Best Deals - Discussion Thread

Many of us have relatives, friends, brothers, parents etc..... in US. Most of the electronic items are pretty cheap over there. I wanted to start this thread during Thanks giving but thought no one is interested. But seeing some may require basic help and some are having good knowledge on...

techenclave.com

Can we in MII make and sell a Cigarette Lighter for Rs 8 or 10 ...... Just wondering ‍

 

[blr_p]

This will of course happen someday but in which era only God knows!

It's reality today with artillery. If you're familiar with the Ukraine war this is a decisive factor in how long Russia can stick in the fight. Indefinitely. You compare with Israel that still has to import artillery & tank rounds from the US and their situation is a lot more bleaker. Subject to constant interference and overall humiliation.

See, MII means many things and we have to start somewhere.

WHY BUYING FROM THE US - A DESPERATION THREAD!

Certainly, All TE records have been broken at this post created by @sg3707 in all his sincerity as he returns back to India and wanting to HELP us all in procuring reasonably priced components – WITHOUT the hassles of Undue Taxes or Other Camouflaged Prices.

You're old enough to know the past was worse. Think acquiring computers in the 80s. What was that like under a license raj.

The government has a tightrope to walk. They can allow as many imports as they can export or we end up with a fiscal deficit which at the end of the last administration was reaching 9%. It should ideally be under 5%

With high oil prices and a gold lust that just won't quit other imports are going to take a hit. That was an economy in bad shape. Getting drunk and fatter by the day until it needed major surgery which the first term of this government was striving for. That surgery aka reducing the fisc isn't painless. Sanjeev Sanyal has spoken about this many times.

It's lucky oil prices crashed back in 2014 or you'd have seen the rupee depreciate much faster over time.

We have to live within our means. That is the bottom line. MII is an attempt to correct the imbalance. Exporting more means you get to import more. It's a slow gradual process with numerous challenges. The most fundamental is most countries industrialised before they became democratic. Less hassle about workers right bla bla. We're trying to do it after. Harder.

Earlier it was about getting into the services stage from agrarian and skipping the industrialisation stage. We've had reasonable success with that. But going further requires getting manufacturing going. In a world that is slowly turning protectionist from globalist you can say we're on the right path