My business is rather OK these past 6 months. But in order to maintain price, I have negotiated very very thoroughly with China suppliers.

Long story short, reduce quality to maintain selling price. Alas, majority of Malaysia market demands cheaper price over quality.

Hence you see Eco-shop growing YoY.

We used to sell high quality items but my clients tend to nitpick and talked how good other competitors are selling to them cheaper, lesser MOQ.

Then we just tell ourselves that why not bring in very cheap goods but tell them upfront that it is low quality. So far they accept it because they also handover to projects. As long as things can pass the probation period. Yes, I'm not kidding. Can pass 3 months, collect full payment, then can become goddess after crossing the river.

All in all, the drop in quality of product we see in the market - we only have ourselves to blame because we keep asking for cheaper prices. Suppliers will cut corners in order to maintain revenue & margin.

One example would be a spare part costing RM100/unit. Cut corners, lesser copper winding, thinner exterior shell, steel bearing instead of ceramic, thinner wires, shorter wires. Yes that item can turn into RM60 per unit. Everything adds up.

This post has been edited by Juggerballz: May 30 2025, 01:39 PM