Why are flash drive prices so erratic? At the heart of the problem there is a lot of misinformation about flash drive prices and the cost of memory. Many customers believe they can buy flash drives at below or at unusually low prices. These prices are generally found online and are quoted direct from the Chinese manufacturer. Reputable memory costs are the same for every manufacturer as demand for chips far outstrips the supply. However, there are some very important things to know.
USB Flash Chips are divided up into 4 different classes/standards.
Grades A, B & C. And unofficially, Grade D
Grade A:
Tier 1. These are bona fide premium chips with the flash chip manufacturers name & serial number imprinted on the chip itself. These chips are produced by manufacturers such as Samsung and Hynix. They are the most expensive, but also the most reliable offering a lifetime warranty. These are the chips that USB Promotions use exclusively.
Grade B:
Tier 1 OEM flash chips. These are made by legitimate chip manufacturers but are without the manufacturer's name imprinted on them. These chips are just as reliable but are not of the same standards that the manufacturer would consider putting their name on.
Grade C:
These are called recycled or reclaimed flash chips. They are the chips considered waste from the "wafer" that the original manufacturer does not want and considers to be garbage! These have a 30% - 40% failure rate. They are sold by the pound! Here's where the quality issues & problems begin. These will be some of the least expensive flash drives but have a very high failure rate.
Grade D:
The unscrupulous flash drive supplier will actually imprint an original manufacturer's name on the Grade C chip. It may read Samsung or Hynix, etc. but is most definitely junk and a FAKE!. This is lying and stealing from you and you would not know about it until you get them here and they fail!
So if you think you can buy cheaper please go ahead, it is at your own risk
Payment: By The Way!!! All off-shore purchases are pre-paid to a Chinese bank before shipment. What is your recourse if the product fails?.
Conclusion: You may find flash drives cheaper, but they won't be better....or even the same. As the old saying goes.........The taste of a bargain is easily replaced by the bitterness of being fooled
