Cheap Imports

[Adrian Southgate]

I have often wondered if the supposedly 'cheap imports' are indeed lower quality than the same type of item purchased from UK sellers.

About 5 years ago I bought some bronze coloured heat wrap for the legerra. I did a superb job in fact I didn't even know the manifold had cracked in two until I removed it. I did speculate that it may actually have been the cause of the crack due to the manifold getting too hot. I think at the time I paid about £15 for 2 metres with a few SS cable clips.

Moving on, I was offered a similar item on an internet 'import' site called Wish.com. 2" wide x 5m long and only £6 + £1 shipping so half the price and twice the quantity being a 'good deal' I bit the bullet and spent the £7.

It arrived this morning and is identical to the stuff I bought 5 years ago, packaging is better and twice the number of SS cable ties. Of course the proof will be when its wrapped around a four branch and put to the test in anger. 

I bought a couple of other bits a while ago basically because they were not available anywhere else.

A mic for my phone which fools the phone into thinking a headset is connected and thereby allows recording video using an external mic. Tested it a couple of times and not over impressed but still tweaking that little gadget. It seems to work too well as at flat chat on the motorway it actually overloads the audio input and cuts out. Its not crisp like i expected it to be and I may end up sacrificing a couple of broken headsets to replace the mics. Further testing and fettling required. Cost £3 delivered.

10 COB LED bulbs (capless 501 type) £2 inc delivery (more on these later in the XSC build) I havent received these yet but as they are also available in bags of 100 I will be getting more if they are up to scratch and doo the job.

So, have any of you had 'cheap imports' that have exceeded expectations or indeed been complete and utter failures?

I

[Steve Kerswell]

^^^like wot he said :-)^^^