KMise clone of new Goldtone Plastic Banjo Uke

The best part of this thread for me is that it caused me to go to YouTube and watch some of the U900 Ukulele Duo videos. Made me smile. Maybe after all the angst everyone should do that. Might make you feel better.

Not trying to make light of real issues. But sometimes you need a feel good moment.
 
To be fair - Goldtone are not unusual in that. Ohana, Kala and many brands share factory lines with others in the Far East. I don't think using imported Asian parts makes a brand any less respectable.

It's not like comparing Goldtone to Deering..

My point to Mr spaceship was that they are not manufacturers they are at best importers of instruments or parts. Spaceship was trying to denigrate KMise by infering that Goldtone were something they are not.
 
Yep!
The funniest thing for me was when spaceship proudly proclaimed that as a writer he knows how to research, then did absolutely zero research about the "Well respected American Manufacturer" who actually is an importer of Asian instruments and parts, albeit fairly well respected. Happy days!
 
Yep!
The funniest thing for me was when spaceship proudly proclaimed that as a writer he knows how to research, then did absolutely zero research about the "Well respected American Manufacturer" who actually is an importer of Asian instruments and parts, albeit fairly well respected. Happy days!

You are misquoting me. I did not say "a well respected American manufacturer." I said "a respected manufacturer." I know perfectly well that Gold Tone outsources much (maybe all) of its manufacturing. I think you are spoiling for a fight about Asian assembly lines, but you have me confused for a straw man.

My point is not where the manufacturing gets done. My complaint is when one company invests in the market research, design, retooling, testing and advertising required to create a new product. Then another company jumps in and sells knockoffs.

Long term, that kind of thing will drive the innovators out of business.

If, as seems entirely possible, the parts for Gold Tone and KMise ukes both roll off the same assembly line, that does not change the fact that Gold Tone shouldered the expense and risk of bringing a new product to market.

I'll give my money to the business that I think deserves it. You can do the same. Buy ukuleles wherever you want.
 
... If it's the case that Goldtone (as well as other companies) have instruments or parts manufactured in China, there's a very real possibility that when you buy a Goldtone banjolele you are indirectly supporting Kmise anyway. Basically, in such a case, it probably doesn't matter one bit to Kmise which brand you purchase because it would come back to them anyway.

No, but it matters to Gold Tone. :cool:
 
You are misquoting me. I did not say "a well respected American manufacturer." I said "a respected manufacturer." I know perfectly well that Gold Tone outsources much (maybe all) of its manufacturing. I think you are spoiling for a fight about Asian assembly lines, but you have me confused for a straw man.

My point is not where the manufacturing gets done. My complaint is when one company invests in the market research, design, retooling, testing and advertising required to create a new product. Then another company jumps in and sells knockoffs.

Long term, that kind of thing will drive the innovators out of business.

If, as seems entirely possible, the parts for Gold Tone and KMise ukes both roll off the same assembly line, that does not change the fact that Gold Tone shouldered the expense and risk of bringing a new product to market.

I'll give my money to the business that I think deserves it. You can do the same. Buy ukuleles wherever you want.

I apologise for using the word American. Everything else is correct.
 
A few things that will not be tolerated:

* Borderline racist generalisations about a nation or its people extrapolated from the behaviour of corporations or politicians (who behave much the same everywhere).
* Plain, provocative rudeness, even if carefully phrased to avoid blatant insult.
* Whining about curtailment of your freedom of speech when you are incapable of civil discourse.

Carry on with care and remember that no one is indispensable.

Have a nice day.
 
Opening it back up for now.

Be civil.

It's ironic to me that the 'Bad Boys' thread had such great potential to become offensive and go out of control with all the sarcastic humor, yet was able to stay within context, yet this thread that started talking about a new uke that was offered, and similar or direct copy of another has turned out to be a dirty slug-fest.

Maybe it's worth reminding ourselves that we all have different preferences, and this forum should not be a place that causes your blood to boil, nor a receptacle for letting off steam, and directing it towards someone else, likely thousands of miles away.

What happened to giving someone the benefit of the doubt, or just taking things with a grain of salt?

I'd hope that we can try be nicer to each other, and more open minded in 'reading' the plain-text on the screen from other folks around the world, where there may be wide differences in culture and language.

Sure, I've been guilty of mis-interpretation on many occasions, and I am still learning, and will likely be at fault again for my own lack of patience or lack of understanding, and hope and am trying to get better at acceptance and leniency, especially here on UU.

If fellow brother BazMaz has been so deeply hurt that he no longer wishes to do reviews, or decides to stay away, this will be a huge loss not only for UU, but for everyone else around the world not on UU, that looks to him for guidance on what is out there, and if it is any good and worth our hard-earned money.

If you read this Barry, I am humbly asking you not to give up.

Your efforts are greatly appreciated by so many folks. Please keep doing your reviews. and Thank You once again for all of your time, effort, and energy that you spend, paying forward to help make the world a better place.

We are all human, and not perfect. Maybe we can cut each other some slack once in a while.
 
I’m not - or at least not for this thread as a reason. Though the thread did get silly, but I put it down to the lack of context in online interaction on forums. I’m cool. Think there was actually more agreement between us than not truth be told.
 
I’m not - or at least not for this thread as a reason. Though the thread did get silly, but I put it down to the lack of context in online interaction on forums. I’m cool. Think there was actually more agreement between us than not truth be told.

Thanks for the reply Barry.

Tomorrow is a new (and hopefully better) day! :)
 
In other news - Kmise are now paying people to ask and answer questions on their Amazon product listings to boost their popularity in searches. Ethical? I think not...

29187044_10155392948283404_2702192628627144704_n-2.jpg
 
That's not uncommon on Amazon though is it - also giving products away in return for reviews. Surely Amazon could resolve all of that themselves by only allowing reviews from purchasers on their site?
 
Only verified purchaser reviews/reports are worth reading, so those wouldn't be of much use to any one sensible enough to read between the lines, no new owner of any article would write a glowing report of a product they had only just purchased. If they haven't had it for some time, their reviews are worthless.

Even the reviews of a certain person are just personal opinion, as stated in his reviews. :D
 
Its a similar 'non logic' to endorsements of sports products. I don't think anyone in their right mind thinks if they buy a Nike t-shirt their tennis game improves, but still companies spend millions getting superstars to wear/use their stuff.

If the casual buyer is on Amazon, sees no reviews, they often move on. Not everyone will bother to read them all, and even if they do are you subliminally influenced by a large number of positive, even if they turn out to be sponsored?

Online retailers know they need reviews, so lots of things are done. Importing reviews from Aliexpress, giving products away for reviews ... etc etc. Paying for influencer posts.

Kmise may not be a leading light in ethicality but no worse than the majority of other retailers in this particular regard. IMO of course
 
That's not uncommon on Amazon though is it - also giving products away in return for reviews. Surely Amazon could resolve all of that themselves by only allowing reviews from purchasers on their site?

It's actually not allowed. The trouble comes in that you are not telling readers that there was a financial incentive. Amazon have a VINE program for that in which the reviewer knows that the item is 'product placement'. Not saying so is against their TOS.

But this isn't actually about reviews. It's about buying questions AND answers in the wording of their choice in order to make it look like there is a buzz around a product.
 
Kmise may not be a leading light in ethicality but no worse than the majority of other retailers in this particular regard. IMO of course

Sorry - I completely disagree - I dont know ANY other brands who are giving stuff away with express instructions that they dont state the item was free in the review.

I can't go with it, sorry - it makes all Amazon reviews pointless. How do you know which are freebies and which are real, if any?

Surely you are not condoing this and DO see the problem?

Either way though - there is a HUGE difference on the global market between AliExpress (which everyone knows can be shady) and Amazon.

To repeat - Amazon DO NOT allow paid reviews. That's why brands are telling reviewers to not mention it. There was actually a case recently which showed Amazon are also clamping down on 'review clubs' that do this sort of thing.
 
Last edited:
Also - have you noticed how few of the well known brands and higher end instruments are on Amazon - even through shop storefronts of reputable uke specialist stores?

I discussed this recently with two reputable stores, and one reputable dealer for a few big names - all of whom used to be on Amazon. They no longer use Amazon as they can't compete with the flood of instruments from China, all with hundreds of 5 star reviews over night completely skewing the search results. Put simply, if you wanted to sell a Kala or Blackbird etc etc on Amazon, the chances of you showing on pages 1-2 of search result for the term 'ukulele' are pretty much nil because these brands have sewn it up.

I DONT think that is good for consumers, respectable brands, bricks and mortar stores. It's horrific.
 
Top Bottom