T - Trade and Quality

“Tried to save a tree, bought a plastic bag; the bottom fell out – it was a Piece of Crap!”

A lot of our manufactured products come from China.

I’m not conversant enough on the politics to provide details, but Ecuador (like other South American countries) has oil-for-trade-benefits treaties with China and select other countries. Import duties from other countries have been stifling for many years, although they are starting to be relaxed.

Here are some of the effects of such policies as it relates to durable good and other items. In many cases, it is the “cutting of a corner” that is most irksome:

• Our “Zip-Zap” bags are very similar to “Zip-Loc” bags except that the “thumb area” is barely a quarter inch.
• Until a recent border crackdown, it was commonplace to drive to Colombia for new tires.
• Most tools are of the “drop forged” quality. Some brand names have arrived (DeWalt, Black&Decker, etc.) but are very expensive ($250 for a cordless drill?!?).
• I can not find shoes. I wear 47 cm (about a 10 ½), but the largest I can find are 44s. Clothing is also a bit off: pants are just a little too short, shirts too tight (6’0, 190 btw).

There are some positive actions on CPG groceries, however:

• Food packages have a large label on the front if the item “Contiene Transgenicos” (has GMOs).
• In addition to an ingredient list, the back of food packaging also shows three large, simple colors (red, yellow, green) to reflect content for fats, salt and sugar.

To compensate for product quality, many US expatriates plan an annual trip back to the States to stock up on clothing or other articles that can only be purchased there. In our coastal community, requests are frequently made to “mule” a product back to Ecuador for others (headphones, bath products, etc.).

After these trips, it is always fun to see what someone brought back; it is like Christmas! Besides, who knew that for all these years, all I really wanted for Christmas were Triscuits and new flip-flops?