I think your ..."tug"....made me recognize that a bit more explanation was in order.
Seriously - it would surprise most to find out how many brands of "American" sounding products have sold these rights to Chinese companies to produce a lesser product - but reliant on the marketing strength of the establish name brand.
If you or I as individuals tried such, it would be deemed "Theft under false pretense"...and is a crime. Companies....not so much.
I must have my head in the sand... had no idea that this stuff happens. I know that companies will send production overseas... but sell out to a Chinese company and do it silently... WOW!!
Worse....
The companies do not sell out in this case. They only sell the rights..or sell a license to use their name.
It is not illegal of itself, tho it makes you feel that fraud has been committed when you need a part and you discover that the company whose name is in the grill.... had nothing to do with the manufacture, sale, marketing or support...including any knowledge about parts.
As a consumer, is there no way to figure out which companies have done this, prior to us making a purchase? Just thinking of the various things I own now, and wondering which items I got suckered on...lol. Think I am at least safe with my MAK
Yes! There is...*BUT* you have to be aware of the issue first. Frankly - I was not. Once I learned of it - the hard way...I began to look into he matter. If you photo the manufacturer's plate usually inside the grill cabinet door or on the back of a grill - you can Google that part number - and usually find the actual company that makes it.
Several major appliance companies - big name - have followed this same pattern. I understand it IS about making a profit. And I am very much a free market economy supporter.
It is shameful though, that the onus of responsibility falls on US as consumers - to find the truth about WHO actually made the grill - vs the manufacturers/sellers offering full disclosure. It all becomes a problem when looking for parts - and you are told..after finding the actual manufacturer has ONE warehouse in America, on the West Coast - and they tell you that they do not have the part, do not know *IF* they will ever have the part - as they show it is out of production and the manufacturer that made it for them ( parts are often sub-contracted to smaller manufacturers in most products we own ) has decided not to continue making said parts.
THAT incident drove me to look at products I purchase thereafter a little differently. And - to research them from an additional perspective.
Yes - MAK will always be a safe bet. They will not even buy a screw from China. I am not anti-Chinese. But as illustrated by this..."saga"..
you can see that our living in a modern world of conveniences also offers some unintended consequences.
"Buyer Beware" is a multi-dimensional phrase nowadays.
1. Cost of purchase/acquisition.
2.Cost of maintenance/repair.
3.Cost of replacement.
None of this is based on "feeling" and emotions. It is a logistical viewpoint of "ownership".