Made in America vs. Price

[eliza61]

So, has anyone been watching this series on abc world news tonight? It's very interesting. One of the interesting points made is that if everyone spent ~7.00 bucks more on American made products we could create some thing like 20,000 jobs. Increase that to 1% each and the number jumps to 100,000 (I'll link the info at the end).

What sadden me, was to learn that none of the souvenirs at any of our national monuments are made in this country.

I have this problem with the American Pavillion in Epcot, at all the other countries you can get at least one item that was made in that country except america. I reject the argument that some where in thsi country there is not a company that you could purchase a red, white and blue nicknack to sell. Heck, the jersey shore has million of vendors selling hand crafted wooden items every summer.

So the question becomes, would you buy a souvenir that was made in the USA if it was $10.00 bucks more?

And should items sold at the Washington monument or white house be made in America?

My vote is yes on both questions. I do think if I buy a copy of the Declaration of Independance at the Liberty Bell in Philly it should not be made in China and yes, I'll buy the extra couple of bucks for it.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/mad...cturing-labor-goods-economy-business-13023882


http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/nat...e-america-china-americana-gift-shops-12995103

P.S. How cool is it, the family lives on Snow white drive.

 

[nunzia]

 

[mrsklamc]

Absolutely agree.

 

[akcire]

Here is my most recent Made in USA story. As some of you know I am pregnant. To organize the nursery I needed "baby size" hangers. Like most budget boarders, I wanted a deal. I looked around at a couple stores and saw a 10 pack at Walmart for $1. They were located in the baby department, and were made in China.

Now on a whim before I purchased them I journeyed over to the "plastics" aisle, still in Walmart. In the plastics department they had 3 different colors blue, pink, white and these hangers were made in the USA. Yes they were slightly more expensive, like $1.10 a 10 pack. However, I really didn't care about the dime, and more importantly they were nicer hangers.

My big question is why in the world didn't Walmart have the Made in the USA hangers in the baby aisle?

As someone who has lived in China (for work) I make an effort to buy things from other countries. Unfortunately, it is unrealistic to just buy "American" made, too many manufacturers have closed. My goal when spending money is to "give other countries (other than China) a chance."

I frequently spend "extra" money to buy items that are made in USA or Europe, but generally there is a higher quality correlation or it is more eco-friendly.

As an FYI, I am pretty certain that in Washington DC, at the U.S. Capitol building the gift shop only sells items made in USA. I remember the representative of our Congressperson making a comment about it during our tour. I am pretty sure they said from IL they carried Pickard china.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I watched that last night with dh and told him I totally was on board with buying American. So is he. And it's so funny that I just typed that on a different thread...someone asked about buying a QVC product and I took the time to look and it's made in China. No thanks!

I absolutely agree with you that they need to find a source for the souvenirs here in the US, made in the US.

 

[funforfive]

Completely agree! I try to buy American whenever possible... even switched toothpaste brands to Crest after finding out they are one of the only ones made in North America..Aquafresh is another!

I was just in D.C last summer and noticed all of the made in China stuff...didn't buy much..took alot of pictures(on a made in China camera)

 

[leadfootlevi]

Remember back in the 90's when Walmart had a big campaign about selling things that were Made in the USA? Whatever happened to that?!

 

[eliza61]

As an FYI, I am pretty certain that in Washington DC, at the U.S. Capitol building the gift shop only sells items made in USA. I remember the representative of our Congressperson making a comment about it during our tour. I am pretty sure they said from IL they carried Pickard china.

watch the link, the capital only recently made the change over after a US senator complained.

In the 1960's only 1 out of every 10 items was foreign made. Now it's up to 5out of 10. soon it will be 7 out of 10.

 

[eliza61]

Remember back in the 90's when Walmart had a big campaign about selling things that were Made in the USA? Whatever happened to that?!

LOL, the usual. Sam died and his kids starting fighting amongst themselves, then pretty much sold out to the stock holders. When Sam was alive that used to be one of their major advertisment campaigns "Made in the USA"

It's really ironic isn't it that the name of his autobiography is Sam Walton "Made in America"

 

[a1tinkfans]

sadly just about everything is made in china, China basically owns us...ever listen to Donald Trump on this issue, very interesting from His "wealth" perspective....
its really all about the "politics" cheap labor, tax issues here....no one to even make the items here....all a sign of the times we have been/are in.....and no people that are "skilled labor" like in years past....don't think it will change anytime soon...........Its why I laugh when people will say that they only buy, such and such brand (like Coach bags) made in China now....too funny, or is it??

 

[scrapquitler]

Okay, I'll be the lone dissenter here.

I don't care where the products I buy are made. I want things that are well made. Period. I don't want junk. If the product made in China is better, I want that one. If the product made in the US is better made, then that is the one I want. I am not willing to pay more for a product JUST BECAUSE it is made in the US, but if it is better, then yes, I will pay more. If the product made in Malaysia is better and more well made, then I will pay more for that.

 

[Free4Life11]

No. To be fair I probably wouldn't buy a sovernir period since I hate knick knacks. But this is 2011 and we live in a global economy. I won't pay more something just because it is Made in America. It makes no difference to me where something is made.

 

[JB2K]

Remember back in the 90's when Walmart had a big campaign about selling things that were Made in the USA? Whatever happened to that?!

Economics in the global ecomony is what happened.

Plus, that particular ad campaign began back in the late 80's, when WM patriarch Sam Walton was still alive (and in the late 80's/early 90's, WM was not yet in all 50 states, not to mention they weren't the global retail juggernaut they are today).

In reality, that ad campaign (Sam's American Choice) was limited to a small selection of store-branded products/consumables, since clothing was made in Central America and toys had been made in Hong Kong/Taiwan since the 1960's. I bought a flashlight under the "Sam's" branding back in 1986, and I am pleased to say that some 25 years later, it still works great!

Once a particular company gets bigger and/or "goes global", it gets tougher for American factories to keep-up.

Plus, labor costs in our country are plenty high, which doesn't push a lot of comuners to buy "American".

As for the clothes hangers, it seems that "heavy plastics" (Rubbermaid, Sterilite, etc.) is still one thing this country is doing very well (and sells a lot of!).

 

[QVCshopper]

I like buying made in USA, but it's hard to find. I bought our bedroom furniture from an Amish man in PA, and its great. But I put quality high on the list. I'm a Honda gal b/c they are great quality.

I'm also about buying less non-consumable items in general and about buying used items. Both of these things can help the environment so much, which is very important to me. I've cut back my wants so much and it's made a difference in my lifestyle and bank account.

In short, I'm trying to embrace the simple life and will support the USA if it's a good product. But that's not my only factor.

PS-just because an item says it's made in the USA doesn't mean it is... I've witnessed that firsthand, especially with Internet shopping. Mistakes happen.

 

[rvchat]

But why are labor costs so HIGH in the USA?

Why can't something be done so that costs are lowered for american consumers to have an incentive to buy domestically????

 

[Mrs. Charming]

If two items were of comparable quality, one item was made in the USA, and the other wasn't, I would in fact buy the US-made item, and sure I'd pay more for it (within reason. Not, like ten dollars more for say, simple flip-flops.)

 

[JB2K]

But why are labor costs so HIGH in the USA?

Why can't something be done so that costs are lowered for american consumers to have an incentive to buy domestically????

There is an answer, but it's on the fringe of this board's TOS (as some may deem it political).

In fact, the news headlines out of Wisconsin are strikingly similar.

 

[eliza61]

There is an answer, but it's on the fringe of this board's TOS (as some may deem it political).

In fact, the news headlines out of Wisconsin are strikingly similar.

I think that's a easy (and typical) excuse. We want that "quick" answer, that single bullet to fix this and just like health care it's not that easy. You could take away every single benefit of wisconsin public service workers and wisconsin next year will still have a deficiet. Teachers are simply the easy scape goat this year. Not to say that the issue is not valid only it is not the only problem facing most states budget but I digress.


RVchat, so let me ask, one problem (or perk) we have is that we have a very high standard of living compared to the rest of the world.

The average daily salary of a city worker in china is $14. 90 back in 2008.
http://www.china.org.cn/government/central_government/2008-04/02/content_14111192.htm

Remember, we are a consumer driven country. Can you really say honestly, in this country we would give up all those bells and whistles we enjoy. Not many Ipads going to be brought on 15 buck a day salaries.

That's just one issue.

Personally, I find the stuff made in china is mostly junk. I hate buying the tee shirts and pants from china for my kids because I know the nanosecond I wash them they are going to shrink.

previous poster was right, I stop buying Coach bags because the leather is thinner now, zippers are cheaper and they are trying to pass off that vynal (sp) plastic stuff as luxury.

It's funny because the kitchen appliances in the series were from Viking and sub zero. very high end stuff made in America and when I mentioned how expensive it was, he said over the long run it's probably not that expensive because you don't have to replace it every 6 years. He is so right, how many complaints do we read here about people having to replace their appliances every 6-7 years.

I did like the manufacturer of the cherry coffee table in upstate NY who said that they guaranteed that the coffee table would be handed down to the couples grandkids.

 

[ssawka]

Okay, I'll be the lone dissenter here.

I don't care where the products I buy are made. I want things that are well made. Period. I don't want junk. If the product made in China is better, I want that one. If the product made in the US is better made, then that is the one I want. I am not willing to pay more for a product JUST BECAUSE it is made in the US, but if it is better, then yes, I will pay more. If the product made in Malaysia is better and more well made, then I will pay more for that.

No you won't be "the lone dissenter here", ITA! It is all about quality and ROI. I am willing to pay more for a better made product regardless of where it is made.

The other thing to keep in mind is that people should not confuse "Made in America" with being made by an "American" company. Most large companies are global, so even though the product is made by an "American" it does not mean that it is "Made in America". Take for example, Hershey. Most Hershey candy bars are made in Mexico, not the US.

 

[TB'sWidow]

Okay, I'll be the lone dissenter here.

I don't care where the products I buy are made. I want things that are well made. Period. I don't want junk. If the product made in China is better, I want that one. If the product made in the US is better made, then that is the one I want. I am not willing to pay more for a product JUST BECAUSE it is made in the US, but if it is better, then yes, I will pay more. If the product made in Malaysia is better and more well made, then I will pay more for that.

The problem is they are in most cases not a better product maybe in cars but not in clothes etc. Mary