Philippines made mods? is it worth it?

[DeadbeatJeff]

Bourgeois, American know-it-alls who assume that everyone should work in a sweatshop to make their cheap crap, just 'cause otherwise your stuff is "over priced," annoy me, TBH.

Do I have clones? of course

Do I think a real artisan mod is worth $180? obviously

 

[weinner]

Lol, wow. What happened to ECF? I've never seen grown adults act in such a way over a hobby. People defending their clone purchases, and people defending their authentic purchases. A grown adult is going all Rambo on some random person across the pond who used a word that offended him on a level that he wants to meet up and fight over it like in 6th grade. Also apparently everybody and their mother knows the cost, operation, and management of a machine shop. I've known people who lived in mommy and daddy's basement who showed more of an acceptable maturity level for society.


Winning!

 

[MrPlink]

1 or 2 or 4 guys machining mods by hand takes time. C110 is not cheap. Stirling Silver isn't free. The machines you need to lathe and fabricate parts are certainly not cheap. Time spent designing is not inconsequential. Generally engraving and any non-metal ascpect is done by a third party. And even disregarding initial capital outlays for hardware, and just taking into account the cost of materuals fo the mods, a nice mod selling for $180 is netting the modder maybe $35/hr. Maybe.... if he can get the system down to where each mod is taking a little over/under 3hrs to produce.

Some mods are made by independent artisans.

First, I am a citizen of the PI

My family has been importing hand manufactured goods from the PI for over 3 decades.

On top of the fact that I have experience myself using both manual mills and cnc.

Long story short - their profit margin is MASSIVE. These arent being made by people who decided to invest in a machine shop just to make mods. These are made by machinists that for the most part would be otherwise out of work.

Even the "artisans" you speak of are no different.

But if high profit margins hurt your ego or something because you dropped good coin..
then we can pretend they were made by some master artisan that wasnt using a half century old bridgeport etc etc etc

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

First, I am a citizen of the PI

My family has been importing hand manufactured goods from the PI for over 3 decades.

On top of the fact that I have experience myself using both manual mills and cnc.

congratulations

Long story short - their profit margin is MASSIVE. These arent being made by people who decided to invest in a machine shop just to make mods. These are made by machinists that for the most part would be otherwise out of work.

...so? They have invested in machinery, rt?

Even the "artisans" you speak of are no different.

You mean that they're making mods cause it's good work??!

touche... touche

But if high profit margins hurt your ego or something because you dropped good coin..
then we can pretend they were made by some master artisan that wasnt using a half century old bridgeport etc etc etc

Sry man, fail here^. I don't have a Pinoy at present. In fact, I have yet to lay hands on an authentic mod at all... none of the ones you can actually get appeal, especially the massive recent influx of tubes from.... everywhere.

BUT

I would have gotten in on the initial 100 piece run of that Chimera if I'd had the loot the day the preorder was open. Have you ever held one of Nosmo's pieces? I've PMd with him since, however, and will likely work out a short custom run some time in the Fall.

I've been seriously considering getting one of the new 26650 Scottua pieces as well, and vacillate between "definitely doing it the first hour they're up" and "IDK..."

But I think the point is that there is nothing wrong with someone who puts in time and hard work making a decent living from what they do. A "massive margin", eh? Is $25-$50 per hour a "massive" margin?.. Maybe for someone in the Philippines, I suppose. In my world that;s what we call a "decent living wage". Comparable to what I make teaching. Seems fair to me, so long as the product is top notch.

But if acknowledging that prices like $180 for a 3 tube modular made of C110 and Stirling hurts your ego or something..
then we can pretend they were made by some unworthy Pinoy that isn't doing the best he can to support his family producing wonderful mods.

 

[MrPlink]

You accuse others of of being burgeois then use normative provincial concepts such as "a good living"

What is it you teach?

margins are discussed in terms of percentage. Maybe retailers are only making 10 to 15 points (as per your presumed figure) but if you think the manufacturers are only are only pulling 10 or 15 points per unit then I can honestly tell you this conversation stops here because you do not know the first thing about manufacturing in the PI.

I could go on and on, but your understanding of the subject is based on normalized idealism, not experience or reality.

The other thing I find funny is you seem to take issue with a high profit margin, why is that a negative? False ideals of perceived market value?

 

[weinner]

I still can't believe people care what others think.

Either way, I suppose I should get the corn a poppen because this is just better than cable television.

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

You accuse others of of being burgeois then use normative provincial concepts such as "a good living"

What is it you teach?

margins are discussed in terms of percentage. Maybe retailers are only making 10 to 15 points (as per your presumed figure) but if you think the manufacturers are only are only pulling 10 or 15 points per unit then I can honestly tell you this conversation stops here because you do not know the first thing about manufacturing in the PI.

I could go on and on, but your understanding of the subject is based on normalized idealism, not experience or reality.

The other thing I find funny is you seem to take issue with a high profit margin, why is that a negative? False ideals of perceived market value?

wait... I was defending the margin these modders make.

You seem to have flipped your position.

My figures assumed a direct modder-seller connection; no retail. If there were a retailer the modder would make even less. You had said they are making a ridiculously high margin.

I say "a good living" to indicate that I don't think an independent modder is ripping people off - he's making a decent living, not getting rich.

I teach English, BTW. Tutor really - private. Get $35/hr out here in WA state, but sadly nowhere near full time. Point there, I suppose, is I consider a good modder to be as worthwhile as myself.

Honestly though you've lost me, and Ima leave this here. I never "took issue with a high profit margin"... that is what you did.

I lived in the Philippines for 5 years (2006 - 2011) ... The average Filipino factory worker in the Manila area makes about 250 Pesos ($5.70) per day.

These Filipino companies are making a KILLING on these mods from the Philippines you folks are buying!

not all Pinoy mods are mass produced

That doesn't mean the labor is more expensive.

1 or 2 or 4 guys machining mods by hand takes time. C110 is not cheap. Stirling Silver isn't free. The machines you need to lathe and fabricate parts are certainly not cheap. Time spent designing is not inconsequential. Generally engraving and any non-metal ascpect is done by a third party. And even disregarding initial capital outlays for hardware, and just taking into account the cost of materuals fo the mods, a nice mod selling for $180 is netting the modder maybe $35/hr. Maybe.... if he can get the system down to where each mod is taking a little over/under 3hrs to produce.

Some mods are made by independent artisans.

First, I am a citizen of the PI

My family has been importing hand manufactured goods from the PI for over 3 decades.

On top of the fact that I have experience myself using both manual mills and cnc.

Long story short - their profit margin is MASSIVE. These arent being made by people who decided to invest in a machine shop just to make mods. These are made by machinists that for the most part would be otherwise out of work.

Even the "artisans" you speak of are no different.

But if high profit margins hurt your ego or something because you dropped good coin..
then we can pretend they were made by some master artisan that wasnt using a half century old bridgeport etc etc etc

That I don't consider what these guys make to be "high", even if we are very generous toward a high margin @$50/hr, does not mean I "take issue with a high proffit margin".

/

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

I still can't believe people care what others think.

Either way, I suppose I should get the corn a poppen because this is just better than cable television.

only the REALLY cool kids can point out that people debate things in a forum thread

...such condescension is reserved for the few and the proud

 

[blueGrassTubb]

I have 2 Pinoy MODs.

Akuma by GP Custom and Sir Lancelot by Vape Sirs.

Both are fanfriggin'tastic.

They weren't cheap, but worth it to me. Both are beautiful, beautifully made, well thought, and hit hard as a sledgehammer.

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

I have 2 Pinoy MODs.

Akuma by GP Custom and Sir Lancelot by Vape Sirs.

Both are fanfriggin'tastic.

They weren't cheap, but worth it to me. Both are beautiful, beautifully made, well thought, and hit hard as a sledgehammer.

y'like that copepr, eh? I considered both of those at one point.

 

[weinner]

only the REALLY cool kids can point out that people debate things in a forum thread

...such condescension is reserved for the few and the proud

Yeah, keep making yourself look like a fool. I'm liking it.

Continue.....

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

Yeah, keep making yourself look like a fool. I'm liking it.

Continue.....

cause debating the topic of the thread is amusing to trolls and cool-guys who are in the thread to.....

...I get it, man.

--------

though I had had high hopes, given your avi

 

[DeadbeatJeff]

this forum is kinda funny 'cause it draws a lot of former FB thread people, et all, who only know one way to "win"

Lemmy put it this way: These threads get more lurker/guest views than they do user/debater views, and people will find this thread when they ask themselves and google, "Is a Pinoy mod worth it". And so it is worthwhile to debunk this persistent myth that Pinoy mods are inferior, that they are all made by companies profiting from cheap labor, that the modders are ripping people off.

Condescending to people, who have an actual reason to be in the thread other than to condescend to people and belittle the activity of forum posting itself, is as I said reserved for only the coolest of the cool.

 

[weinner]

Don't get .... hurt over it

 

[blueGrassTubb]

y'like that copepr, eh? I considered both of those at one point.

I don't really have a thing for copper, but those two MODs impressed me enough to buy.

Both are excellent.

 

[Feignix]

I just found in funny to think someone would actually google "Is Pinoy mods worth it?" "Worth" is such a subjective thing....so is, "It hits like a slegehammer!" Btw and while we're on it. I actually googled something else and was brought to here. I have a few "Pinoy" branded pieces in my collection, I have a few U.S pieces and I've acquired a few clones during my endeavors with trading/buying and selling. I can tell you the quality is there from all points of reference. Worth and value are much more difficult to define and pin down and that's something that can only adequately be addressed by the individual assigning such meaning to referenced pieces. I LOVE most of my mods, even the clones. Why? Because I love vaping as a whole, if for no other reason than it got me to finally quit smoking. So obviously I'm going to attach "sentimental worth" and "value" even on my stuff starting out at square one. Then you have the whole issue that "monetary value" is being addressed. For the sole fact that I've shelled out ANY amount brings "cognitive dissonance" into play....do you see where I'm going with this??

To the "serious" collector, even though I've spent probably in the thousands by now, I'm sure my collection leave MUCH to be desired, but to the vaper who can only afford clones and only "dreams" of owning an authentic at this point, might think my collection is "WOW!". No matter to me, either way. As I plan to keep collecting at this point, sure I'd love to see it improve, but I'm also fortunate and happy with what I have clones and all! So in the end, "Is it WORTH it?"......well now that's not something that can be answered easily obviously especially in a forum. Only YOU can decide or determine that, and there is no correct "blanket" response. It will vary mod to mod, and even modder to modder, as I've seen if the most "recognized modder" drop the ball on certain projects and produce a disappointing run. The best thing you can do if you are serious about collecting or want to extend your knowledge base of said products is to start acquiring a sample from each base, little by little and second hand in desirable condition if need be so YOU can decide if it's worth it.

One thing worth mentioning and then I learned fortunately by observing others mistakes and NOT by "buying in" as I almost did, was DON'T buy into the hype! I've found a few quality pieces and modders that are barely mentioned or talked about that are among my favorites such as JM mod and Vape Jam and the Copper Viggo. In both instances I find the quality second to none but you won't find them "abuzz" on this forum or in the FB vaping groups. That's all, have a good day!

 

[Rule62]

I have 2 Pinoy MODs.

Akuma by GP Custom and Sir Lancelot by Vape Sirs.

Both are fanfriggin'tastic.

They weren't cheap, but worth it to me. Both are beautiful, beautifully made, well thought, and hit hard as a sledgehammer.

The Akuma is the only Pinoy mod I own, and also the only copper. Very nicely made mod.

 

[Ndizzle07]

short answer is.. yes, yes they are worth it.

 

[wonkeypickle]

I'd avoid making sweeping generalizations like that, some of the better made clones perform as well as or better than the originals.

i love how this gets tossed around so easily on this forum.


one word: proof?

 

[VapingTurtle]

i love how this gets tossed around so easily on this forum.


one word: proof?

Hey, Bad Ninja! Did you see this?!?