RED FLAG! MADE IN CHINA
Does anyone still know what products made in the USA stood for? It's not just about the Red, White, and Blue. Long lasting. Overbuilt. Bulletproof. Solid. Like that.
We're getting our second replacement peeler from the manufacturer. First one was dull as a mud fence. The one that replaced it fell apart. A vegetable peeler that falls apart! Swing-A-Way!
Here's the chronicle we submitted to Amazon . . . on the sale page for the Swing-A-Way Potato Peeler . . .
Step 1.
My Swing-A-Way can
opener is bulletproof, reliable, well made . . . the only one you'll ever need.
Also with that Made in the USA robust design and materials. The peeler . . .
the exact opposite. It has been sitting in our drawer for a few years. I
couldn't believe how poorly it worked. In fact, it never worked. I did call
their customer service on that, but I must've made the wrong connection. The
company at the time listed for that product answered as if I got the parking
attendant's booth. Dead zone. Since I recently purchased the Jonas (Made in
Sweden) peeler and found it to be light years better than anything I've ever
used (not sticking peels, they just fly away. Razor sharp too.) I made another
attempt to contact AmcoHouseworks only to find their customer number on the website
is for retailers only. No listed number for consumers. They directed me to
another number for consumers. The representative who answered the phone was
rather uninterested in hearing that they were difficult to reach. I will be
receiving a replacement and hope that the original unit was just a fluke. It
was just such a shock after my glowing experience with the can opener. Customer
service . . . C-. Yes, I'm getting a replacement, but sometimes a dissatisfied
customer also wants to be heard. Deaf ears was my experience.
Step 2.
Got the replacement.
Worked great. The new one had a sharp blade. Then, after about a dozen uses,
the blade came away from the central shaft to which it is attached. A small
length of metal either was never there or broke off the crimp collar which
holds the blade to the shaft; so it couldn't surround the shaft and hold
secure. After another lengthy search to find customer service I finally got a
number. Will call tomorrow during business hours. Also wrote an email. Much too
much effort over getting something this basic to work, from a company which
seems to make so many quality products. And, the replacement was not as good
quality as the original one I purchased. Their excellent hand can opener is USA
made. I don't think the peeler comes from these shores. I'll report on the next
transactions.
Step 3.
Getting yet another
replacement. No hassle on that part. Customer service there confirmed all
Swing-A-Way products are now made in China.
It's an interesting
look into corporate ownership. Used to be a Made in USA product(s) with
management probably within shouting distance of shipping. Now management is
virtually inaccessible to peons like me; customer service might as well be in
another state; quality control in another; and the production line in some
backwater, and likely only accessible through some front company in Hong Kong.
With manufacturing contracts won based on ballpark quality and lower costs. The
previous replacement product was clearly not even to the quality of the first,
which latter was probably also made in China.
Customer service
was, well, serviceable. All the rep wanted to do was send me another unit. I
finally suggested that I purchased two faulty units and that might be a red
flag for somebody. But, in corporate culture, fragmented and distant as the
parts are now, that point I’d bet won’t get noticed.
Rant . . . over.
Here's a photo I sent with the email to the manufacturer.
Step 4.
Awaiting replacement
peeler.
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