Can you tell the Difference (pic)

So what if X towel is the same as Y towel? You're the consumer and you've got a choice when it comes to buying. If you want to spend the least amount and get the most out of your money, or if you want to spend the most to know you're getting quality and service, then that's your choice.



I don't know why you guys constantly feel the need to rediscuss this subject because it never goes anywhere.
 
Miami_vice said:
:hairpull NO SMP has the MEGA PLUSH which are Poorboy's But Scott also has the Soft Edge 16x24 http://www.specialtymotoring.com/microfiber.htm which is on the Picture i took. also the Pro Wax applicators are the same ones that autogeek has for a much cheaper price. I know this because i just got both my order shipped last week. I even took the Pic of the MF 16x24 that Autogeek has for 7$ :hairpull both arwe the same along with the MF applicators pads. Scott P of SMP has them much cheaper that Autogeek.net :idea You guys can try it and when you get them you will be mad @ the fact than autogeek.net which has them for 7$ compared to 3.79$ @ SMP :woohoo:
Click to expand...



This is really useful information. Someone said that if someone can sell the same product for twice as much then power to them. Well I don't care about their power, I care about my $$$, and I sure am grateful when someone points out a way for me to save some money and still get a quality product. I think that was the original point of this thread. While we shouldn't jump to conclusions when something looks or smells the same, we should certainly question whether there are any real differences as well.



truzoom said:
So what if X towel is the same as Y towel? You're the consumer and you've got a choice when it comes to buying. If you want to spend the least amount and get the most out of your money, or if you want to spend the most to know you're getting quality and service, then that's your choice.



I don't know why you guys constantly feel the need to rediscuss this subject because it never goes anywhere.
Click to expand...



What do you mean so what? So this is a detailing forum and someone is trying to help their fellow detailing enthusiasts not overpay for a product. If that was the only thing I ever took from this forum, it would be enough. If you want to think that price is directly proportional to quality and service every time, then go ahead and waste your money.
 
Sherman, excellent list!



Soo easy to find the right sources... Well I am automotive journalist and this is our everyday job. When a new car debuts and we know almost all of its main components and what platform does it share, we basically know how it will feel. Of course, just the basics are the same and there will be inevitable differences but it usually fits in the large picture. The variables such as noise dampening, various settings are minor, but they greatly influence the overall feel of the car. The graining of the plastics or the upholstery is basically just data from the carmaker point of view. In your list, the Chrysler Stratus and the Mitsu Galant are different cars (they shared components in the past), while the Raider/Durango are twins.



A typical badge-engineered car shares around 60-65% of its parts with its twins (such as Peugeot 307/Citroën C4 etc.). Recently the most extreme parts sharing are produced by PSA/Toyota. They are producing together their A-segment vehicles (microcar) in the Czech city of Kolin, and these cars are 92% (!) identical. For three different brands! The car itself is based on a Toyota platform, with PSA diesels, Toyota gasoline engines, HVAC controls, inner door pulls, etc. The Toyota Aygo is the most individual of them, and that means that the Peugeot/Citroën twins are even more identical. Their shetmetal is the same, except the hood/front bumper. One has blacked out taillights, and the other is normal.



What the hidden information IS (translated for the detailing world), that we can obtain the necessary information when choosing a car. Some do it, some don't bother. But when you want to become an informed, educated customer, the detailing world will kill the source of info almost instantly and that is NOT RIGHT. And this world is inconsistent. We all know that the Meguiar's G-100 is the PC 7424/7336. Who cares? Will anybody shot me down when I start to discuss this "dangerous hidden agendas"? Nope. G-100? PC? One is cheaper, the other is comes with a better warranty. It is just a product - like certain liquids or pastes... But I want to know who the bulk manufacturer is who are its boutique brands.

If I know that BrandX is the major manufacturer of BrandY product, well this is GOOD! Because BrandX gallon sizes are out of reach for me (overseas shipping) I will buy the BrandY for money reasons - knowing that I get the same product and quality.



When I know that Toyota engines/components are good, reliable and I don't like the body of the Yaris, I could buy a Daihatsu Sirion with the same contents, components and a different body. Or, if I don't care about the look, I can/will buy the product that exactly fits my expectations - regardless of body/bottle/jar.



Final word is: I WANT USEFUL, RELIABLE INFORMATION! I WANNA BE A SOPHISTICATED, EDUCATED CUSTOMER!
 
a ton of these products come out of the same manufacturing plants-Its somewhat difficult to know what makes one product different from another. I will buy some boutique products when the service is good and I've found a product that I like otherwise I preferr to stick to well known companies who play a major role in a products development.
 
klnyc said:
Too bad no one in the world can re-badge AMD or Intel...FTW :getdown
Click to expand...

But they did! AMD was a contract fab hired by Intel to make, IIRC, 286 and then 386 processors (and maybe math coprocessors) when they couldn't keep up with the demand, but AMD got good and big, so Intel cut them out of the 486. AMD responded by reverse-engineering a 486 competitor and the race was on.
 
Bence said:
Sherman, excellent list!



Soo easy to find the right sources... Well I am automotive journalist and this is our everyday job. When a new car debuts and we know almost all of its main components and what platform does it share, we basically know how it will feel. Of course, just the basics are the same and there will be inevitable differences but it usually fits in the large picture. The variables such as noise dampening, various settings are minor, but they greatly influence the overall feel of the car. The graining of the plastics or the upholstery is basically just data from the carmaker point of view. In your list, the Chrysler Stratus and the Mitsu Galant are different cars (they shared components in the past), while the Raider/Durango are twins.



A typical badge-engineered car shares around 60-65% of its parts with its twins (such as Peugeot 307/Citroën C4 etc.). Recently the most extreme parts sharing are produced by PSA/Toyota. They are producing together their A-segment vehicles (microcar) in the Czech city of Kolin, and these cars are 92% (!) identical. For three different brands! The car itself is based on a Toyota platform, with PSA diesels, Toyota gasoline engines, HVAC controls, inner door pulls, etc. The Toyota Aygo is the most individual of them, and that means that the Peugeot/Citroën twins are even more identical. Their shetmetal is the same, except the hood/front bumper. One has blacked out taillights, and the other is normal.



What the hidden information IS (translated for the detailing world), that we can obtain the necessary information when choosing a car. Some do it, some don't bother. But when you want to become an informed, educated customer, the detailing world will kill the source of info almost instantly and that is NOT RIGHT. And this world is inconsistent. We all know that the Meguiar's G-100 is the PC 7424/7336. Who cares? Will anybody shot me down when I start to discuss this "dangerous hidden agendas"? Nope. G-100? PC? One is cheaper, the other is comes with a better warranty. It is just a product - like certain liquids or pastes... But I want to know who the bulk manufacturer is who are its boutique brands.

If I know that BrandX is the major manufacturer of BrandY product, well this is GOOD! Because BrandX gallon sizes are out of reach for me (overseas shipping) I will buy the BrandY for money reasons - knowing that I get the same product and quality.



When I know that Toyota engines/components are good, reliable and I don't like the body of the Yaris, I could buy a Daihatsu Sirion with the same contents, components and a different body. Or, if I don't care about the look, I can/will buy the product that exactly fits my expectations - regardless of body/bottle/jar.



Final word is: I WANT USEFUL, RELIABLE INFORMATION! I WANNA BE A SOPHISTICATED, EDUCATED CUSTOMER!
Click to expand...



Another great post Bence, very good points! I especially like the analogy with the G100 and PC.



I remember reading about the Aygo and the other triplets in a European car magazine (if only they didn't cost so much I would subscribe, I love TopGear/EVO/CAR/etc.) and I, too, saw that they didn't really even do much to the sheetmetal.
 
truzoom said:
So what if X towel is the same as Y towel? You're the consumer and you've got a choice when it comes to buying. If you want to spend the least amount and get the most out of your money, or if you want to spend the most to know you're getting quality and service, then that's your choice.



I don't know why you guys constantly feel the need to rediscuss this subject because it never goes anywhere.
Click to expand...



I agree, if everyone thinks these are the same towels, then buy them. I would be interested in seeing how both these towels hold up in the long run (after a couple washes). I'm sure rebranded or relabeling occurs so much in today's market, its just hard to keep track. If you want to dedicate your life to knowing the "truth" and researching everything you buy, be my guest, but you won't have much time to use any of it. Just working in a pharmacy with all the generic and brand names can make one go crazy :nixweiss



As for car manufacturers refining the same car and selling it for a higher price under a different name, I don't really see that big of a problem with that. Most of the time those cars come standard with all the options (leather, sunroof, cd player, power everything, some sort of 24/7 service, etc.) so you are paying more money, but its not like your not getting anything. Besides I think there are way bigger problems in the auto market besides rebranded cars....
 
Another great post Bence, very good points! I especially like the analogy with the G100 and PC.
Click to expand...



The G100 is an excellent example of rebranding but there is an important distinction between a simple rebranding and two very different machines like the ES and Camry. At some point you can take some common parts and refine each differently enough that you get two different cars at the end of the day. Take the Porsche Cayman for instance. Some similar parts to the Boxster but enough refinements to create a much different car in terms of luxury, performance, and handling.



Sometimes you do get what you pay for. :)
 
Lee, did you try out both? You get better structural integrity, less noise, etc. Same as the Lexus/Toyota relationship. But the Porsches are virtually the same - a Cayman is basically a Boxster with roof. Your ES and a Camry shares the engine, the suspensions, the main structure, the drivetrain - essentially the entire mechanicals. All other things (isolation, leather, dash, seats; aka the other specification - what count to you) is just the brand oriented fine tuning; but just in/for the US. Accept that. In Japan your car is called as Toyota Windom - which is still a more luxurious platform twin of a Toyota Camry.



Ben, no. I wanna buy the real thing, not the one with the tuxedo and makeup.
 
Bence said:
Ben, no. I wanna buy the real thing, not the one with the tuxedo and makeup.
Click to expand...

I never said you didn't, but it happens, and no amount of belligerent whinging on a detailing forum is going to change that.



Ben
 
SilverLexus said:
The G100 is an excellent example of rebranding but there is an important distinction between a simple rebranding and two very different machines like the ES and Camry. At some point you can take some common parts and refine each differently enough that you get two different cars at the end of the day. Take the Porsche Cayman for instance. Some similar parts to the Boxster but enough refinements to create a much different car in terms of luxury, performance, and handling.



Sometimes you do get what you pay for. :)
Click to expand...



Well, you just brought up my second favorite car to pick on. I still don't really understand why someone would pay 5K more for a coupe version of a Boxter S. It is tweaked a bit, like 15hp more (which results in a trememdous 0-60 difference of 0.1 seconds!) and it obviously has the added rigidity of a non-convertible, plus slightly stiffer springs. Otherwise, it's a Boxter coupe; I didn't even bother to mention this example because they are sooooo similar. Those marketing geniouses at Porsche have done quite will for themselves on this one! Typically people pay more for the convertible, even with 15hp more (less rigidity is expected)!



IDK why you keep insisting that the ES handles better than the Camry. IMO both to have an overweight feeling, but the Camry is slightly quicker on it's feet than the ES (the suspension is obviously tuned more towards ride and it is heavier). The Camry SE (with the 3.3 liter) does 0-60 in 7.0, while the ES330 takes 7.5. Yes, the Lexus does have more upscale interior appointments (and very comfortable seats). Enough to deny that the Camry and ES are extremely similar machines? Absolutely not!



EDIT--Bence got to it more quickly than I did :p
 
The Cayman will surely cannibalize the 911. To what extent? We do not know yet. Both are Porsches. For me the Cayman/Boxster twins mean two things: wonderful balance/performance on track and an uninspiring interior with the most disgusting handbrake rachet sound ever. If I want to play, they are great tools for it, but I don't want to spend my time in that interior.



That's why I don't buy them. I am rather a sensitive four-door luxosteamer kind of guy. Think of the next Lexus LS hybrid - aka Toyota Celsior. But Toyota will introduce the whole Lexus brand to its domestic market.
 
Bence said:
The Cayman will surely cannibalize the 911. To what extent? We do not know yet. Both are Porsches. For me the Cayman/Boxster twins mean two things: wonderful balance/performance on track and an uninspiring interior with the most disgusting handbrake rachet sound ever. If I want to play, they are great tools for it, but I don't want to spend my time in that interior.
Click to expand...



:LOLOL The Cayman will have some effect on sales the 911, but I would expect some overhauling within the 911 engine lineup soon, i.e. maybe the 3.8 takes the place of the 3.6, and to get some new turbos (hopefully).
 
wannafbody said:
Zaino seems extremely similar to some of the Japanese polymer products as well as Duragloss. Maybe they all come from the same factory as well :nixweiss
Click to expand...



Zaino is one of the only (if not THE only) boutique product line to be made in-house...in New Jersey, not Japan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top