[fotbr]

There are some things I will not buy if they're made in some countries, of which China is just one. There are other things that I don't care where in the world they were produced.

There's a definite relationship between the length of time I expect to own or use a product, the country's reputation for products of that type, and which of the two categories it falls in.

[incision]

>There's a definite relationship between the length of time I expect to own or use a product, the country's reputation for products of that type, and which of the two categories it falls in.

Same.

How I intend to use (entertainment vs work) the product and the implications of its failure (annoyance vs injury) factor as well.

[eksith]

I feel the same way. You can infer quality by the packaging (and country of manufacture) in some cases, but other times it's a tossup between Chinese, Indian, U.S. or wherever else. The safest bet it is to limit purchases by reputation for that particular type of item depending on cost and lifetime.