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pdfOMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No.09-4-2740; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
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U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN TOW BEHIND LAWN GROOMERS (“TBLGs”) FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than April 16, 2009
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing and antidumping duty investigations concerning TBLGs from China (Inv. Nos. 701TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the
Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other
order to compel the submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information
on this questionnaire can be obtained from Nancy Bryan (202-205-2088).
Name of firm
Address
State
City
Zip Code
World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased TBLGs (as defined in the instruction booklet) from ANY source (domestic or foreign) at
any time since January 1, 2006?
NO
(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
YES
(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this investigation in any other import-injury investigations conducted
by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this investigation may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of this investigation or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits
and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that
all contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official
Title of Authorized Official
Date
Signature
Phone: (
Fax ( )
E-mail address
)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 25 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.
Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of preparing the
reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours
dollars
I-1b.
We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this questionnaire in general or
the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your response or send them to
the above address.
I-2.
Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this questionnaire (see page 3 of the
instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol.
I-3.
Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Firm name
Yes--List the following information
Address
Extent of
ownership
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 3
PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.
Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in
importing TBLGs from China into the United States or which are engaged in exporting TBLGs
from China to the United States?
No
Firm name
I-5.
Yes--List the following information
Address
Affiliation
Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in the
production of TBLGs?
No
Firm name
Yes--List the following information
Address
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 4
PART II.--PURCHASES
II-1.
Who should be contacted regarding the requested purchase information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number
II-2.
E-mail address
Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales agent or
broker) of TBLGs. Report based on delivery date, not order date.
(Quantity in units, value in $1,000)
Item
Purchases of TBLGs produced in the
United States:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of TBLGs produced in
China:
Quantity
Value
Purchases of TBLGs produced in all
other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1
Please identify these countries:
2006
2007
2008
Jan.-Mar.
2009
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 5
PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-3.
If the relative levels of your firm’s purchases of TBLGs from different country sources (both
domestic and foreign) have changed since January 1, 2006, please indicate whether the relative
share from each country source has increased or decreased, and state the reason.
Source of purchases
The United States
Trend
Decreased
Explanation for trend
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
China
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
All other countries
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
II-4.
If your firm has purchased TBLGs from only one country, please explain the reasons for doing
so.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 6
PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-5.
Comparability of TBLGs and tow behind carts and/or push lawn groomers.–Please describe
the differences and similarities between TBLGs and tow behind carts and/or push lawn
groomers with respect to the following factors: (a) characteristics and uses--describe the
differences and similarities in the physical characteristics and end uses; (b) interchangeability-discuss the extent to which the products are interchangeable in the same end uses; (c)
manufacturing processes--describe the processes and include a discussion of the
interchangeability of production inputs, machinery and equipment, and skilled labor used to
produce the different products; (d) channels of distribution--describe the specific end
use/customer requirements and channels of distribution/market situation in which the products are
sold; (e) customer and producer perceptions--describe any perceived differences in the
products (e.g., sales/marketing practices); and (f) price--provide a discussion and specific
examples of prices for the products. Use additional pages as necessary.
(a) Characteristics and uses:
(b) Interchangeability:
(c) Manufacturing processes:
(d) Channels of distribution:
(e) Customer and producer perceptions:
(f) Price:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 7
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.
Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on market characteristics and
purchasing practices?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number
III-2.
III-3.
E-mail address
Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of TBLGs (check all that apply,
noting the specific end uses if known)?
END USER (
)
RETAILER (
)
DISTRIBUTOR (
)
Other (
)
(a) If your firm is a distributor or reseller of TBLGs, what are the major types of consumers to
which you sell TBLGs?
(b) Do you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which
you purchase TBLGs?
III-4.
If your firm is an end user of TBLGs, list in order of quantity of TBLGs consumed, the top 3
TBLGs for which your firm purchases TBLGs as a component part or input. Please indicate what
percentage of the total cost is accounted for by TBLGs.
TBLGs you produce
Percent of cost accounted for by TBLGs
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 8
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-5.
(a) If your firm is an end user of TBLGs, has the demand for your firm’s final TBLGs
incorporating TBLGs changed since January 1, 2006?
Increased
No change
Decreased
(b) Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for TBLGs?
III-6.
(a)
Can other products be substituted for TBLGs?
No
Yes--Please list these substitute products in order of importance.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(b)
For each possible substitute for TBLGs, please give examples of applications and end
uses for which they are substitutes.
(c)
Have changes in the prices of these substitute products affected the price for TBLGs?
No
Yes--To what degree do changes in their prices affect the price for
TBLGs? Does this effect have a time lag? If so, how long is the time lag
for each substitute product? Does this vary by type of TBLGs or final
end use?
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 9
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-7.
Are you aware of whether the TBLGs you are purchasing are U.S.-produced or imported?
Always
III-8.
Sometimes
Never
Do you know the manufacturer of the TBLGs that you purchase?
Always
III-9.
Usually
Usually
Sometimes
Never
To your knowledge, are your customers aware of and/or interested in the country of origin of the
goods you sell them?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
III-10. Have you made significant changes in your purchasing patterns (e.g., frequency) in the last three
years?
No
Yes-- Please describe.
III-11. How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a purchase?
III-12. Have you changed suppliers since January 1, 2006?
No
Yes--Please list the suppliers, indicate whether each firm was added or
dropped as a supplier, and give the reasons for the change.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 10
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-13. Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the market
since January 1, 2006?
No
Yes--Please identify the firms.
III-14. Do you require your suppliers to become certified or prequalified with respect to the quality,
chemistry, strength, or other performance characteristics of the TBLGs they sell to your firm?
No
Yes--
percent of purchases in 2008
Yes--All purchases
Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification process and the time
required.
III-15. Briefly describe the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of
TBLGs, reliability of supplier, etc.) and estimate the time it takes to certify or qualify a new
supplier.
III-16. Since January 1, 2006, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to certify
or qualify their TBLGs with your firm or have any producers lost their approved status?
No
Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located, and the
reasons why they failed the certification/qualification process.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 11
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-17. (a)
For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in your purchase
decision for TBLGs.
VERY
SOMEWHAT
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
Availability .....................................
Delivery terms.................................
Delivery time ..................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit ..........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements.............
Packaging........................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards ....
Quality exceeds industry standards.
Product range ..................................
Reliability of supply........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs .................
Other (specify):
........
........
........
NOT
IMPORTANT
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 12
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-17. (b)
Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors generally considered by
your firm in deciding from whom to purchase TBLGs for any one order (examples
include current availability, extension of credit, prearranged contracts, price, quality
exceeding specifications or industry standards, range of supplier’s product line,
traditional supplier, etc.).
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Other factors or comments:
III-18. What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the quality of TBLGs?
III-19. How often does your firm purchase TBLGs that are offered at the lowest price?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
III-20. Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the TBLGs market during
January 2006-March 2009. A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price
change, either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that
have a significant impact on prices. A price leader does not necessarily have to be the lowest
priced supplier. For those firms identified as a price leader, please specify the time period in
which a price change was communicated, whether the price change was upward or downward,
and whether it covered a specific geographic region or a specific product type.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 13
PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-21. Please describe how the above firm(s) exhibited price leadership.
III-22. Does your firm purchase TBLGs over the internet?
No
Yes-- Please describe, noting the estimated percentage of your firm’s total
purchases of TBLGs in 2008 accounted for by internet purchases.
III-23 a) Does your firm purchase each type of TBLG (i.e., aerators, lawn sweepers, spreaders, and
dethatchers) separately or do you purchase different types of TBLGs together?
Separately
Together -- Please explain, noting which types of TBLGs have been
purchased together and how prices are determined (i.e., each type of TBLG
priced separately or different types of TBLGs priced in combination or as
sets).
b) Do you market and/or sell different types of TBLGs (i.e., aerators, lawn sweepers, spreaders,
and dethatchers) together?
No
Yes -- Please explain, noting which types of TBLGs have been marketed or
sold together and how prices are determined (i.e., each type of TBLG
priced separately, or different types of TBLGs priced in combination or as
sets).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGS from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final) Page 14
PART IV.--TBLGs COMPARISONS
IV-1.
Who should be contacted regarding the requested information on TBLGs comparisons?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number
IV-2.
E-mail address
Please indicate the countries of origin for TBLGs for which your firm has actual
marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States
China
Other countries (Please specify:
IV-3.
)
Are TBLGs produced in the United States and in other countries interchangeable (i.e., can they
physically be used in the same applications)? Please indicate below, using “A” to indicate that
the TBLGs from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable, “F” to indicate that the
TBLGs are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate that the TBLGs are sometimes
interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the TBLGs are never interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no
familiarity with TBLGs from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair
China
Other countries
United States
China
1
For any country-pair producing TBLGs which are sometimes or never interchangeable,
please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 15
PART IV.--TBLGs COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-4.
Do you or your customers ever specifically order TBLGs from one country in particular over
other possible sources of supply?
No
IV-5.
Are certain grades/types/sizes of TBLGs available from only a single source (domestic or foreign,
including both subject and nonsubject countries)?
No
IV-6.
Yes--Please identify all relevant countries (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject foreign countries) from which you or your
customers prefer to order, and indicate why TBLGs from these countries
are preferred over TBLGs from other countries (please note the specific
TBLGs in your response).
Yes--Please identify the source and the grade/type/size.
If you purchased TBLGs from one source although comparable TBLGs were available from
another source at a lower price, please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by
country, including the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries).
Possibilities might include brand recognition, quality, and transaction characteristics such as
length of time to fill orders, minimum order size, reliability of supply, etc.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 16
PART IV.--TBLGs COMPARISONS--Continued
For the factors listed below, please rate how TBLGs produced in each country you identified in
your response to the first question in Part IV compare with TBLGs produced in each of the other
countries you identified (including the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign
countries). Please type an “X” for each quality in each TBLGs comparison indicating whether
the TBLGs from the first source is superior, comparable, or inferior compared with the TBLGs
from the second source.
Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Lower price..............................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging................................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
Lower U.S. transportation costs..............
Other (specify):
Inferior
Comparable
Superior
compared to
TBLGs from
Inferior
compared to
TBLGs from
Comparable
compared to
TBLGs from
Superior
TBLGs from
Inferior
TBLGs from
Comparable
Quality
TBLGs from
Superior
IV-7.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 17
PART IV.--TBLGs COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-8.
(a)
How often do domestically-produced TBLGs meet minimum quality specifications for
your uses or your customers’ uses?
Always
(b)
Sometimes
Never
How often do TBLGs imported from China meet minimum quality specifications for
your uses or your customers’ uses?
Always
(c)
Usually
Usually
Sometimes
Never
How often do TBLGs imported from countries other than China meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
From:
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Usually
Sometimes
Never
From:
Always
From:
Always
From:
Always
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGS from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final) Page 18
PART IV.--TBLGs COMPARISONS
IV-9.
Comparability of types of TBLGs.--For each of the following indicate whether the product
comparisons are: fully (“F”) comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
mostly (“M”) comparable or similar; somewhat (“S”) comparable or similar; never or not-at-all
(“N”) comparable or similar; or no familiarity (“0”) with products. 1 Leave blank if you do not
have any familiarity with a specific product comparison.
(a)
Characteristics and Uses.-- The differences and
similarities in the physical characteristics and end uses
Productcomparison
Aerators
Dethatchers
Legend:
F = Fully comparable; M = Mostly comparable; S =
Somewhat comparable; N = Not at all comparable;
0 = No familiarity
Spreaders
Sweepers
Aerators
Dethatchers
Spreaders
Sweepers
1
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided for each product
comparison in terms of their characteristics and uses:
(b)
Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute one
product for another in the same application.
Productcomparison
Aerators
Dethatchers
Legend:
F = Fully interchangeable; M = Mostly
interchangeable; S = Somewhat interchangeable; N
= Not at all interchangeable; 0 = No familiarity
Spreaders
Sweepers
Aerators
Dethatchers
Spreaders
Sweepers
1
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided for each product
comparison in terms of their interchangeability:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 19
PART IV.--TBLGs COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-9.
Comparability of types of TBLGs.--Continued
(c)
Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and
production employees.-- Whether products are
manufactured in the same facilities, from the same
inputs, on the same machinery and equipment, and using
the same employees.
Productcomparison
Aerators
Dethatchers
Legend:
F = Fully the same; M = Mostly the same; S =
Somewhat the same; N = Not at all the same; 0 =
No familiarity
Spreaders
Sweepers
Aerators
Dethatchers
Spreaders
Sweepers
1
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided for each product
comparison in terms of their manufacturing processes:
(d)
Channels of distribution.-- Channels of
distribution/market situation through which the products
are sold (i.e., sold direct to end users, through
distributors, etc.)
Productcomparison
Aerators
Dethatchers
Legend:
F = Fully the same; M = Mostly the same; S =
Somewhat the same; N = Not at all the same; 0 =
No familiarity
Spreaders
Sweepers
Aerators
Dethatchers
Spreaders
Sweepers
1
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided for each product
comparison in terms of their channels of distribution:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 20
PART IV.--TBLGs COMPARISONS--Continued
IV-9.
Comparability of types of TBLGs.--Continued
(e)
Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceived
differences and/or similarities in the two products (e.g.,
sales/marketing practices)
Productcomparison
Aerators
Dethatchers
Legend:
F = Fully the same; M = Mostly the same; S =
Somewhat the same; N = Not at all the same; 0 =
No familiarity
Spreaders
Sweepers
Aerators
Dethatchers
Spreaders
Sweepers
1
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided for each product
comparison in terms of their customer and producer perceptions:
(f)
Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ
between the product types.
Productcomparison
Aerators
Dethatchers
Legend:
F = Fully comparable; M = Mostly comparable; S =
Somewhat comparable; N = Not at all comparable;
0 = No familiarity
Spreaders
Sweepers
Aerators
Dethatchers
Spreaders
Sweepers
1
Please provide a narrative discussion for the comparability ratings you provided for each product
comparison in terms of their prices:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - TBLGs from China (701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Page 21
PART V.—SUPPLIER IDENTIFICATION
V-1.
No.
1
2
3
4
5
Please provide the names and addresses of your firm’s five largest suppliers of TBLGs purchased
during January 2006-March 2009. Please also provide the name and telephone number of a
contact person and the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of TBLGs that each of
these suppliers accounted for in 2008.
Supplier’s name
Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
code
Contact person
Area
code and
telephone
number
Share of
2008
purchases
(%)
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - US Purchaser Questionnaire -- TBLGs final.doc |
| Author | jennifer.merrill |
| File Modified | 2009-03-19 |
| File Created | 2009-03-19 |