It never used to be this way.
When I started with E-Commerce in 1998, I was successful in both the US and Canadian Markets. Back in those days, things were Made in the USA.
It never hit me over the head, but slowly things changed, and now practically everything is made overseas. Also quality has gone down hill in general.
Don't get me wrong, you can obtain quality goods from the developing asian markets, given the proper oversight on design and quality control.
However there also appears to be another market, to deliver crap, at the lowest price, who purpose is to serve the American market, and people are buying it.
This is probably why that huge retailer that I will not mention by name, will quickly wipe out main street, when they setup shop.
We also have this huge retailer in Canada, however it has virtually no impact on main street. Sure it is busy, but then in Canada, many has the mindset towards quality. They wan't to buy something that is well engineered, and will last. Also, we do not tolerate crappy customer service.
I am seeing the same thing with E-Commerce. I have many websites. Some only service the Canadian Market.
Others serve both the Canadian and American markets, but they are niche sites, with little competition, so they are forced to buy quality.
I have a couple which are not niche, and serve the 24-35 demographic, and with these I have considerable trouble making inroads into the US market.
I have lots of competition, and they compete on price, and you guess it; they sell crap.
I'm trying to find ways to target the 24-35 demographic, that has a taste for quality, at a reasonable price. It's a tough sell, and some days I think they don't exist.
I even thinking of doing up adword ads that say, we don't sell crap (in more diplomatic language), for our American Customers.
My sincere apology to my American Brethren in E-Commerce; this is not meant to be derogatory to Americans; but towards demographic trends I am see.
Hopefully one that will switch back to quality in future years.
