Results: I have done several surveys about my use of TW "Mad Money" to buy stuff I otherwise wouldn't have bought. Some recent purchases made me rethink this practice.
Published on 11/20/2024
Something weird is happening in China. There had been signs that they were becoming more focused on free enterprise and in expanding their sales in north America. Quality and value had improved and consumers seemed willing to buy even more items from China. Trump's promise to add tariffs on Chinese goods had some detractors and I was one of them. Recently my view has changed. My last few purchases from China suggest that the marketing departments are headed by speech writers for Kamala Harris or her Chinese equivalent. How else can I explain the products in this survey?

QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
I wanted to buy a light "Cargo Coat" - the kind with lots of pockets. I saw what looked like the ideal one on sale at Amazon. Look at the photo before you read the product description below. I challenge you to match this coat to this product information. You might skip over that and jump to the question. Product description:- "men winter coats wool lite winter jackets for men long black hooded jacket mens long black winter coat men long brown winter jacket men long coat for men winter long down men hooded winter coat warm winter jacket wool long faux coat outwear black winter overcoat for men long fleece jacket men long jacket heavy hoodie men long jacket winter men long leather trench coat men winter long mens winter coat long mens winter jacket long sleeve fleece jacket men long trench coat men mens tailcoat winter long winter coat for men long winter coats for men long winter jacket for men long winter jackets for men long winter mens coat long winter puffy down insulated coats for men maroon fleece jacket men maroon winter coat men medium weight fleece jacket men medium winter jacket men members jacket for men winter men 3/4 winter jacket men big and tall winter coats men bisht arabic cloak winter warm coat men black fleece jacket men black winter coat zip up hoodie men black winter jacket men blue fleece jacket men blue winter coat zip up hoodie men blue winter jacket men camo fleece jacket men casual fleece jacket men casual fleece lined plaid flannel shirts jackets men casual jacket autumn and winter hooded jacket black men casual winter jacket men coats and jackets winter men coats winter heavy warm quilted jackets thick hooded cotton coats men cycling clothing set winter long sleeve jacket men denim fleece jacket men down coats winter men down winter coat men dress coats winter men fashion winter jacket men faux leather jacket fall/winter thickening coat long men fleece and cotton sweat suit with hoodie jacket men fleece cycling jacket men fleece full zip jacket men fleece hoodie jacket men fleece jacket black men fleece jacket full zip men fleece jacket grey men fleece jacket with hood men fleece jacket with zip pockets men fleece jacket zipper men fleece jackets men fleece jean jacket men fleece lined denim jacket men fleece lined jacket men fleece shirt jacket." I returned the coat for a full refund for the reason "Product not as described". Would you have done the same?

Yes
36%
763 votes
No
11%
234 votes
Undecided
22%
459 votes
Not Applicable
31%
644 votes
- n/a
- None
- Very good
2.
2.
I hope Q1 provided some entertainment for you. I eventually ignored all that and placed my order based on the photos. I assumed the following descriptions were "word salad" and would not actually be featured in the end product. For the price I thought I could live with that. The coat would NOT have: wool lite, winter coat, warm winter jacket, fleece jacket, puffy down insulated, bisht arabic cloak, lined plaid flannel shirts, faux leather jacket, cotton sweat suit, etc. etc. Do you agree that Amazon should only allow a product description that refers to features that ACTUALLY exist and not everything the manufacturer can possibly think of?

Yes
50%
1057 votes
No
9%
197 votes
Undecided
14%
302 votes
Not Applicable
26%
544 votes
3.
3.
Based on your impressions of this coat so far, would you expect it to have a liner of some kind and some form of insulation to allow it to be worn in winter?

Yes
47%
983 votes
No
10%
211 votes
Undecided
18%
381 votes
Not Applicable
25%
525 votes
4.
4.
I would normally wear a large in a coat of this type but wanted to be able to wear a sweater (or 2) underneath. The measurement instruction chart recommended an XL size so, to make sure the coat would be roomy I ordered the XXL. It took a long time to arrive from China. They shipped the black one I ordered then recalled it, refunded me and then sent an army green one instead. I received 2 jackets, and was refunded as well. When it arrived I was really surprised at how light the package was. When I opened it I found a very light "shell" made from 100% polyester, no liner, and, although the label said XXL, the jacket was medium at best and I couldn't wear it. I asked them if they wanted me to send them back and they said to just keep them. I could have sold them for $20 each but donated them instead. Do you agree that this is a non profit way of doing business for the Chinese manufacturer?

Yes
27%
573 votes
No
11%
226 votes
Undecided
31%
656 votes
Not Applicable
31%
645 votes
5.
5.
In 1975, I bought a jacket very similar to the one in this survey and it served me well for over 40 years before it finally wore out. Finding a replacement proved (is proving) to be more difficult than it should have been. I have had several similar experiences trying to buy items made in China and I am puzzled as to why they are doing business this way. Are you? Comments please.

Yes
26%
545 votes
No
19%
407 votes
Undecided
20%
412 votes
Not Applicable
35%
736 votes
COMMENTS