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...
On Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:58:20 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:
wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:23:25 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:
The guys who operate them don't need near as much skill as the worker
they replaced and the robot does a more consistent job.
Not necessarily. The person who now controls a whole production line
from
a
control room has to be highly skilled.
That is said by a person who doesn't understand how long it takes to
learn to be a machinist or even a good welder.
The computer operator can learn his job in a week. Most of the
processes are actually monitored by another computer. There are
usually a couple of techs around who have a bit of training but not as
much as you would suspect. These machines are like most of the
computer industry. It is cheaper to replace whole assemblies than to
fix them.
We called it "cut open the box" technology.
I don't think you know me well enough to make such a statement. There is
extensive training for many, many professions, including computer
"operator"
(sounds like you're not to familiar with those requirements).
I have spent more time in computer rooms that you have on the planet.
Yet, you claim that someone who is minimally trained can operate an assembly
line system? I don't think so.
so you tell me: how does the middle class spend money it does not
have?
You are starting to see why I fear for out future.
The idea that you can get employers to pay workers more when the
product cost can't go up is not going to happen.
Well, fear is the operative word. Product cost can go up if the quality
is
better and/or it has better features/functionality.
That has not been the trend. The American public does not appreciate
quality, nor demand service. In the late 80s, IBM and most other
industries started a "quality quest" with quality circles, Six Sigma
and ISO 9000. The holy grail was to emulate Sony.
Actually, that has been the trend, whatever that means. There are lots of
American made, high quality products that sell fine.
What would they be?
Without really thinking about it, how about planes? Plenty besides that.
I'll let you do the research.
That was quickly replaced with a philosophy of "market driven quality"
and the model became WalMart. We were all marched into a room, given a
bag of M&Ms and told to evaluate them. It turned out there were not
even the same number in each bag and there were defects in at least
half of them,. (true story) Everyone was still happy with the quality
and was not interested in paying more for better quality control.
The whole company was moving in that direction. We even got new hats
http://gfretwell.com/electrical/mdq.jpg
It's easy to id an anecdote and claim that is the general case, but that
doesn't make it so.
see below
The lesson was clear. The American public values a lower price more
than quality, service or even saving American jobs.
I ask you, do you go to Sam's/BJs/Costco? It is certainly not for the
service or even the quality. It is for the price.
Actually, I go to Costco because of the customer service. If something
breaks, they don't hassle you at all. The quality is pretty much the same
as
you would find elsewhere, especially for things like cameras/computers,
even
some clothing. Most people go there for the wholesale quantities.
OK so how many people do you think they employ per customer and do you
really think those people understand the products they sell?
Which has nothing to do with customer service in the case cited.
Maybe you are not old enough to remember stores that specialized in
various products and had people who actually knew a little more about
them but which aisle they are on.
I have a friend who owns a family fireplace insert store. They do just fine,
sell high quality products that are US made, and they service them
themselves.
Big box stores are great if they have what you want but they only
stock things they can get in bulk and that they have the best margin
on at a cheap price.
We were talking about customer service. I don't shop in Wal-Mart even though
they have great prices. I don't like their lack of customer service for one
thing.