The return rate on the brand as a whole is around 3-5%. Although it still may not be a brand you've heard of, they are established now, so they are aware of what it takes to get a good reputation and we work closely with them, which is why we do so many of their products. And so far, the EVO2000SEI has given us next to no problems. I think 1 return under warranty so far which has been fixed by the manufacturer and returned to the customer.
We also sell Hyundai's and Honda machines. We probably sell twice as many Hyundai's based on price, then we do Honda machines and again, both brand have low return rates, but they do have return rates. It's harder to sell products that don't have a recognised brand, but we try and do our research before selling a certain company's products. This is why we don't sell Clarke's or other cheaper machines. Sometimes I think you can go too cheap, but these products do seem to work.
Out of the Hyundai and the Honda, we don't really see much difference now in quality, although Honda will always have that head-start and reputation to go on, and they are good genny's but I'd say their return rate is no better than anything else, (based just of the figures we see and in no way intended to be a sweeping generalisation)
We try and only list quality items on our site, but also items that have a good warranty, backup and spare parts. Service for our customers is just as important to us. No line of machines will ever be 100%, so as long as our customers are treated well by our suppliers.
Pure sine wave is perfectly smooth so it mimics mains supply electricity. Average building site genny's can vary wildly, but good brand name generators will be smooth wave, not sine wave. Still, this will be fine for sensitive electronics as there are less peaks and this is usually down to whether or not they have an AVR alternator. If they don't, then they are less likely to be good for sensitive electronics, but for more rugged tools, should be OK.
best advice is get yourself a good one and it should last and last.
Comparable yes. Not as quite, but yes it is comparable. I mean, neither are open frames with the engine and alternator exposed, so the sound will be damped on both models.
I think alot of people we speak to are finding the same problems, but all generators need to be looked after, though more and more are coming with overload protection and engine shutdown. Just need to make sure the build quality is good on the one you go for.