Made in America vs. Price

[crisi]

You guys will be happy to hear that there is an article in Wired that predicts the return of American manufacturing. Shipping costs are going up, making it more cost effective to manufacture here - with robots - whose price has been going down.

You can buy American, that doesn't mean that you are giving American manufacturing workers jobs - unless you are a robotics engineer or robotics maintenance tech.

The company I work for is a manufacturing company. Most of our manufacturing is done overseas. We once had 40k U.S. employees. Then we had 50k employees - 40k overseas. Now we have 22k employees - and a bunch of robots.

 

[mafibisha]

*why* or *how* did we become a GLOBAL economy?

Is it because our economy became weakened . . .

....due to so many less Made In America products>

....due to jobs being shipped overseas?

All the above?

Not really a rhetorical question . . . or is it?

 

[crisi]

*why* or *how* did we become a GLOBAL economy?

Is it because our economy became weakened . . .

....due to so many less Made In America products>

....due to jobs being shipped overseas?

All the above?

Not really a rhetorical question . . . or is it?

Why - because other countries can manufacture cheaper and sometimes better than we can here. Combine that with better transportation, better communications - and its a no brainer. How - we always have been - prehistoric digs will find goods shipped from thousands of miles away. Its only the scope that has grown.

 

[Planogirl]

On the other hand, even the 'foreign car' dealerships employ people right in your town, they have suppliers here in this country, and most of the foreign cars are at least assembled in this country (therefore employing Americans). I drive a Japanese car. It was assembled in the US. We also own an American car, it was assembled in the US. The parts were made in Mexico. The profits from both those cars stay in the US (at least partly) and go to other countries as well (at least partly). It's a global economy.

I'd rather support both but I'll support American workers before I will the corporation. Many parts for American cars and even some American cars themselves are made elsewhere and that's a shame.

I was watching a show this weekend about this very subject and mention was made of Germany who still does a lot of manufacturing and generally makes quality items. For them it's all about reputation and people wanting German-made products.

 

[eliza61]

*why* or *how* did we become a GLOBAL economy?

Is it because our economy became weakened . . .

....due to so many less Made In America products>

....due to jobs being shipped overseas?

All the above?

Not really a rhetorical question . . . or is it?

Also remember (you know me and the sociologiest view) we became a "throw away" nation. Remember the time you purchased a washer, dryer, fridge and it lasted 20 years? We stop wanting that. Know we want the latest, the greatest and the hippiest with the bells and whistles and we want it new every 3-5 years.

Also remember the "Globe" itself is getting smaller. Back in the day, there was a cost involved from getting some thing from Europe to here. My great aunt routinely went to England by boat. 5 days. Now we ship and move things much quicker at a cheaper cost.

time magazine has a great article asking htis very thing.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2056610,00.html

 

[crisi]

Also remember (you know me and the sociologiest view) we became a "throw away" nation. Remember the time you purchased a washer, dryer, fridge and it lasted 20 years? We stop wanting that. Know we want the latest, the greatest and the hippiest with the bells and whistles and we want it new every 3-5 years.

And WE became a nation that demanded "low low prices" - how many good companies have been driven out of business by companies able to do it cheaper - maybe not as good - but the low price bid often wins. How many mom and pop shops have big box retailers put under because they can't compete on price - even though they put more money into your local economy?

The people willing to pay more are not a sufficient number of people to keep mid-priced lines in business. There have been a lot of companies that tried to keep their manufacturing in the U.S. - and went under as a result because they couldn't compete on price.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Also remember (you know me and the sociologiest view) we became a "throw away" nation. Remember the time you purchased a washer, dryer, fridge and it lasted 20 years? We stop wanting that. Know we want the latest, the greatest and the hippiest with the bells and whistles and we want it new every 3-5 years.[/url]

It's sad, I'd love a dryer that would last 20 years!! Screw bells and whistles, they stop chiming and whistling in a short amount of time and they're rarely as great as we think they'll be. I want reliable products!

 

[mdrob214]

It drves me crazy when people buy foreign cars without even considering an American car. My father used to have 2 dealerships before they were forced to close 2 years ago when the country lost many dealerships. Our Chevrolet dealership was in the family for nearly 60 years. A coworker just mentioned that her next car will be a VW. I asked if she even considered an American car and she said it had to be affordable....look up your facts before settling and sending the profits overseas!

We bought a Toyota (Sienna minivan) back in 08 and it caused us great stress to NOT buy an American car. I take small solace in the fact that my van was manufactured in the US. My only problem was that US manufacturers stopped making minivans--aside from Dodge/Chrysler, whose product was cheaper, but was not what we would call good quality, even though our previous minivan was an 11-year old Dodge and we drove a Plymouth minivan before that. Sure I could've bought an American made sedan or SUV, but they weren't what worked for our family.

I do intend to make a more concerted effort to buy American. It's definitely going to require work, though, to find those products.

 

[eliza61]

And WE became a nation that demanded "low low prices" - how many good companies have been driven out of business by companies able to do it cheaper - maybe not as good - but the low price bid often wins. How many mom and pop shops have big box retailers put under because they can't compete on price - even though they put more money into your local economy?

The people willing to pay more are not a sufficient number of people to keep mid-priced lines in business. There have been a lot of companies that tried to keep their manufacturing in the U.S. - and went under as a result because they couldn't compete on price.

And now the problem is we are so attuned to the cheapest price not even the big companies can hold the line, so they have to make cuts in order to keep the profits margins there.

Examples:
Disney
Airlines.

We have become so "used" to pin codes or "free dining". Well in order to keep us coming to the parks Disney almost "cant" stop offering discounts. the problem becomes they still need to make a profit so "cuts" begin.

Same with the airlines, only now the airlines are forced to raise prices because of rising fuel cost and there is simply no where else to trim the budget. They already have a fee on absolutely every thing yet we still complain that airfares are not as cheap as they were last year. go figure.

 

[onescgirl]

Thanks OP for this thread. I have never tried to buy 'American-Made'. I've always just bought what I wanted to buy & never looked at where it was made. It has really been in heart the past few weeks to start making an effort to buy 'American-Made'. Unempoyment is so high now, that I believe we all need to.


Also, some people are just incapable of having the knowledge or means to ever get a college degree. Manufactoring is a great paying options for this population.
I teach Continuing Education courses & it is breaking my heart seeing & teaching these adults that have lost their job.

This thread has given me the knowledge & motivation to start doing my part.

When I was in DW a few years ago, I asked one of the CM in the EPCOT US gift shop if anything in the store was manufactured in the US. The CM's response was an almost inaudible "no". I think she must have been frustrated too. From what I understand each Country prides itself on selling authentic items from their respective Country. What's wrong with this picture?

I want to know when our government is going to eliminate the tax incentives for corporations outsourcing our jobs. I work for a company that outsourced Customer Service to Mexico--less than a year later they brought it back to the US. Unfortunately, the employees with 30+ years experience were laid off. You cannot transfer that knowledge to personnel with no experience.

I started this post a few years ago.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2083914

Let's keep these threads going put Americans back to work!

Sweety-Tweety - Thanks for these thread.

I also wanted to say that how many Americans really want to do manufacturing jobs? Many Americans may think that those type of jobs are beneath them since they went to college and have a degree.

A lot of people want & need their manufacturing job.

I try to buy American as much as possible - especially with toys for my son. One year we did a "all American made toys" Christmas for him. It was pretty easy with shopping on line. We told my parents and my mother in law and guess who sent him toys made in China? Yup, they went in the consignment sale pile (luckily, he was not old enough to remember).

For groceries, I check the country of origin as well. I would prefer a USA label since, if I can't get to the farmers market, the item will have traveled less.

For those interested, here is an entire store of items Made in the US! http://www.saveourcountryfirst.com/

Oh and yes, I would pay more to buy American!

Thanks for posting this thread.

It drves me crazy when people buy foreign cars without even considering an American car. My father used to have 2 dealerships before they were forced to close 2 years ago when the country lost many dealerships. Our Chevrolet dealership was in the family for nearly 60 years. A coworker just mentioned that her next car will be a VW. I asked if she even considered an American car and she said it had to be affordable....look up your facts before settling and sending the profits overseas!

I will have a fight with my husband the next time we buy a vehicle . He is a Honda die-hard, I am going to go for a American vehicle.

 

[KigerKat]

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"

I was going to mention that Sam Walton was still alive when that campaign started, but now that he's gone they've gone back to whatever is the cheapest.

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??

I hardly ever agree with Donald Trump (I can't stand the man), but I do agree with this. I hate saying this, but there are too many government programs regulating labor and processing in production factories that make it almost impossible for a US company to compete with imports. Add taxes, liability insurance and a great number of frivolous lawsuits every company settles, and it becomes a no-brainer to move overseas or across the border where those kinds of things don't happen. Yes, it's not the best option, but it's what companies have to do to make a profit.

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.

You're not alone. This is the way DH and I are. We will thoroughly research any kind of major purchase and see what gets the best reviews and ratings and whatever we find is the best deal for our money will get it, no matter where it was made. This can even apply to smaller items: I noticed recently that the apple juice I prefer (store brand) is made from Chinese apples. I like it much better than the brand name, which does use apples from the US. Plus, it's about half the price. When I buy the store brand, I am supporting an American company.

In my opinion, even imports create US jobs. Yes, a product completely made in the US creates more jobs for Americans, but it is still an American that moves the product off a ship/plane, trucks it to the stores and sells it to me, as well as all the administrative people behind the scenes that I don't see or know about.

 

[herdtoDisney]

. This can even apply to smaller items: I noticed recently that the apple juice I prefer (store brand) is made from Chinese apples. I like it much better than the brand name, which does use apples from the US. Plus, it's about half the price. When I buy the store brand, I am supporting an American company.

.

I am frustrated at not being able to find apple juice from USA apples! I won't buy the Chinese juice-you don't know what they are spraying on their apples there. A store brand I used to buy recently started being from chinese apples, so they're off my shopping list now.

I prefer to buy American when I can-I can't always. I do look at labels. Recently, I was going to buy a new set of dishes and was going out shopping-my ds said 'buy USA ones, Mom'. I googled it and found that Corelle is made in the USA, and I like Corelle (I was actually replacing a set since we'd broken so many) so we got those. Today, my microwave died (a scary, smoky death ) and I was just googling for a USA microwave-but I didn't find any countertop ones (there are some high end built in ones, though, which I'd consider if I had a built in) so in this case, I'll have to buy foreign.

 

[RumpleMom]

Where can I find bath towels made in USA? I have searched and searched the stores.

Three American companies:

Wendell August Forge hand-crafted metal serving ware Grove City, PA

All-Clad cooking pans Canonsburg, PA

Vitamix blenders Cleveland, Ohio

 

[Swimalie]

I am frustrated at not being able to find apple juice from USA apples! I won't buy the Chinese juice-you don't know what they are spraying on their apples there. A store brand I used to buy recently started being from chinese apples, so they're off my shopping list now.

.

I have a hard time with this as well. I have finally found one brand, which I can't remember now, that my store sells that has USA grown and processed apples. Some apple juice will have US grown apples but they process in China. I won't even buy the juice if it's processed there after they had the tainted juice a while ago.

 

[ssawka]

Well, not to get too political, but there is a simple solution to all the imports. If tariffs on imported goods were raised, then it would be less desirable to manufacture off-shore. However, how many Americans are prepared to deal with the inflation that that would cause?

 

[nunzia]

Well, not to get too political, but there is a simple solution to all the imports. If tariffs on imported goods were raised, then it would be less desirable to manufacture off-shore. However, how many Americans are prepared to deal with the inflation that that would cause?

..and on the other hand, if they would LOWER the corporate tax on bringing money back into the US made by US coporations outside of the US, then that money would have a better chance of coming home instead of having to be spent outside the country...

 

[herdtoDisney]

I ended up buying a new microwave today, from Walmart.com , a Sharp. Site says it is made in USA/Imported of USA/imported materials It was the best I could do-the others said imported (only).

The Walmart site is always pretty good about putting the country of origin on their products-it's a helpful feature.

 

[crisi]

Well, not to get too political, but there is a simple solution to all the imports. If tariffs on imported goods were raised, then it would be less desirable to manufacture off-shore. However, how many Americans are prepared to deal with the inflation that that would cause?

Its a short sighted solution though, because tariffs are a quid pro quo. We put tariffs on, then we get retaliatory tariffs on our goods and so exports go down. Much of our economy is dependent on exports.

It also is a form of price fixing, which generally has negative economic consequences. It will also increase inflation, which in turn is likely to increase unemployment and depress the stock market.

 

[superme80]

Love the thread. I just bought a brand new computer desk from Target last night. It is their brand Circo. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the desk and the bookshelf I bought were both made in the USA. The new stroller my parents bought came from China. I guess 2 out of 3 isn't bad. When it comes to my groceries I buy as much local as possible. I like know which farms my fruit and veggies come from. I also like to know where the cattle and chickens are raised that I eat.

 

[ssawka]

Love the thread. I just bought a brand new computer desk from Target last night. It is their brand Circo. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the desk and the bookshelf I bought were both made in the USA. The new stroller my parents bought came from China. I guess 2 out of 3 isn't bad. When it comes to my groceries I buy as much local as possible. I like know which farms my fruit and veggies come from. I also like to know where the cattle and chickens are raised that I eat.

It's funny you mention fruits and vegtables. I remember a couple years ago seeing an undercover news report where some of the "farmers" at a farmer's market were actually buying the produce from the grocery store and passing it off as local and upping the price.