Buying American, is it important?

[Keef]

For me, if the quality of the American product (Company is American) is as good as the foreign, I want to buy American. However if the foreign is better and is in the same price range, I admit I am tempted to buy the foreign. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[ultrarunner]

I ask where a product is made when I buy material for work and given the choice, I choose American Made.

Mom got some grief when she bought her only new car in her life... a 2002 Toyota Corolla...

We watched her car being made and drive off the line at the Toyota NUMI plant in Fremont CA... so to me, it is Made in America, by my friends and neighbors... even if it says Toyota...

I feel the same way about my BX23.

 

[RoyJackson]

Unfortunately, if you're in the market to buy a CUT, more then likely you'll be buying an import.
It may be a captive import, like the small Deeres, or an independent such as Kioti or Mahindra.

 

[Builder]

For me, if the quality of the American product (Company is American) is as good as the foreign, I want to buy American. However if the foreign is better and is in the same price range, I admit I am tempted to buy the foreign. What are your thoughts on this?

Prepare to get roughed-up in this thread. I think I'm getting some pangs of post traumatic stress disorder already.

My thoughts are similar to yours. If I can buy an American product that's as good as a foreign product, then I'm buying American. I might even spend a few more bucks to buy American so long as the quality is as good as foreign.
It's my money and I spend it the way I wish.

Trouble is, you gotta buy a pretty big piece of tractor or equipment to even get a partly American made piece most of the time these days.

What you lookin to buy?

 

[crashz]

Its very important. But the American consumer has been burned in the past, therefore higher quality or bargain basement prices have shifted consumers to foreign made products.

Its tough to find much of anything that is made here anymore. I try my best, but clothes and shoes are near impossible to find made here. Even if you are willing to pay more.

 

[wolc123]

For me, it was the most important issue regarding my new tractor purchase a few years ago. Luckily, for the first time in many years, one could find an under-50 hp, American-made tractor (JD 4000 - 20 series). It certainly didnt hurt that it outspec'd the orange and blue competition, and was tied with blue for cheapest of the 3 when similarly equipped. Since there has never been a foriegn tractor on our farm, and I am the 5th generation to run it, I did not want to be the first to end the family tradition. These tractors are assembled in Georgia, USA. The engine may be from Mexico, and the loader is from Canada, but I have friends in both of those North-American countries. You will not find much of anything completely made in USA any more, but this tractor was close enough for me. I have not been dissapointed after 3 years without a single problem of any kind. The foriegn jobs may or may not have held up that well but thankfully there was no need for me to find out. I have also only owned Chevys and Fords and none of them has let me down. Sure I have done a few minor repairs over the years, but I have never once been stranded out on the road or had to repair an engine, and I have run a few of them 10 years and close to 100k miles. My own, personal experience has caused me to trust the American worker more than any other.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I can't post to this thead without getting hate mail... so I just deleted what I wrote. Its a sad day.

 

[Keef]

I can't post to this thead without getting hate mail... so I just deleted what I wrote. Its a sad day.

Just state the things you have observed and leave out the emotional feelings part.

 

[LD1]

If your talking tractors, it is hard to find one made entirely of US parts, your just paying for the name.

When you are talking small cars, which I just bought a Nissan Sentra for the wife, again it is hard to fine one made entirley in the US. Honda, Nissan, and Toyota all employ thousands of american workers at there assembly plants and factories which all help the american economy. The only difference is where all the money goes. To the CEO's in detroit, or the CEO's in Japan.

The way I see it, I would rather buy a better quality car, from a Japanese company that is bringing jobs to america, than buy from the big three and outsourcing jobs to other countries.

 

[tjkadar]

Its a global economy. I purchase the best possible quality for the most reasonable price. It usually isn't the cheapest, but it is rarely the most expensive. Country of origin is rarely an issue. My tractor is a John Deere (after 28 years of Kubotas), my truck is a Ford, the farm owns a GMC truck, and our two cars are Mazda Miatas. If I were independently wealthy, the car would be a Ferrari.

 

[woodyacres]

I work for the auto industry and have to mention these facts. Keep in mind that I LOVE AMERICA and do what I can to support it, I guess that's why I joined the volunteer fire department and support our troops.

Anyway, GM alone has laid off 160,000 workers in the last 5 years. While the foreign automakers have employed 130,000 American's and that number should top 180,000 in the next three years. I was laid off from an American company and now work "foreign".

I love when I drive by someone with the bumper sticker, "Out of a job yet, keep buying foreign." I want to get one that says, "I work for Toyota, I drive a Toyota!"

I find it funny that Chrysler will be making the Nissan Titan next year for Nissan. In exchange, Nissan will make a Chrysler car for Chrysler (I can't remember which one). It makes it tough to buy AMERICAN when we outsource everything and the "foreign" companies are moving here and making money. I guess that's why I really don't care anymore and I buy what I feel is the best buy for me, quality and money considered.

 

[VAChesterfield]

When looking at any fuel consuming product, such as a tractor (large medium, or small) or a car, truck, or even an airplane, that is "Made in America" you are usually looking at something that was assembled in America from parts that are sourced from within and without America.

Some products are mostly assembled here from overseas parts like many midsize tractors, and some, like Boeing's airplanes, have a large American made content. But don't think for a minute that Boeing's planes are 100% American made.

Even a lot of our military hardware has components made overseas, but (thankfully from a security standpoint), that is still a small percentage, notwithstanding the recent USAF tanker award to Airbus.

We live in a global economy that is very different from the economy most of us grew up in, and no one is capable of turning back the clock. Best you get used to it, just like we are used to not seeing elevator operators or gas station attendants (except in NJ -- what is with that anyway) anymore.

It's too bad MessickFarmEqu felt he couldn't post to this thread. I, for one, have always appreciated his insights.

 

[mjarrels]

I heard that China is developing a method to deliver pizza in America!

mark

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

It's too bad MessickFarmEqu felt he couldn't post to this thread. I, for one, have always appreciated his insights.

Well, what I was going to point out was exactly what you guys said about the car business. Toyota has made a huge investment in the USA, even though they are Japaneese. Kubota has done the same, and continues to do major manufacturing work here on new models like the RTV500. Infact they just opened another manufacturing facility about three months ago.

If you look at the other major players in the tractor business you see them making their investments and bringing in more shotty product from places not known for quality. The details of which will get me hate mail.

IMO, we should be judging a company on their product and their investment here at home and not simply on where they choose to make their corporate office.

 

[GCLnIndiana]

Do unions have anything to do with the Japanese companies coming here while the American companies are laying off? (This ought to bring a hailstorm)

 

[tjkadar]

Do unions have anything to do with the Japanese companies coming here while the American companies are laying off? (This ought to bring a hailstorm)

I'm sure that is a factor. Another factor seems to be the corporate mindset of Big Three. It isn't where a particular product is built or designed as a lot of the Japanese cars we buy in America are designed right here in America. So it isn't a failure of American's ability design, build, or produce quality machines. It is the fault of the corporate infrastructure that gives us quality designs and materials from which to make cars.

The Big Three have improved in some areas, but overall, I have a lower 'perceived quality' feeling with cars from the Big Three than I do with the 'foreign' makes.

The sun visor fell off in my Firebird. The metal rod that allows it to pivot broke in half. Yep, that is quality. The ABS on our Ford truck went out a couple months after the warranty (due to mileage) expired. Plus the electric door locks don't work - again, poor quality. My Mazda is the same year with the same mileage, no issues with the door locks (it doesn't have ABS).

I don't make a whole lot of money. Every dollar I spend has to be stretched as far as it will go. That means I have to spend the least amount I can while garnering the highest possible quality and return. I don't mind spending more up front to save money in the long term either.

Country of origin is not a factor. In a global economy, Made In America is a bit of a misnomer anyway.

 

[Keef]

The problem is when we need more tanks and other equipment for the armed forces, if GM, and Ford are out of businsess who will be making them for us, the Korean or the Japanese. We need company's who are American companies to survive and to do well. Even if some of the parts are made in Mexico or Canada.

 

[tjkadar]

The problem is when we need more tanks and other equipment for the armed forces, if GM, and Ford are out of businsess who will be making them for us, the Korean or the Japanese. We need company's who are American companies to survive and to do well. Even if some of the parts are made in Mexico or Canada.

When we run out of tanks, its time to start using all those stockpiled nuclear weapons.

 

[redneckford]

Messick don't cow down to those that are uninformed and think they know. Working in this industry for many years provides alot of insight that many of the consumer/owner/operator does not understand and would not believe if they were told. Such as the long hours one must work to make "any business" successful in America. The low margin that this industry makes on tractor sales, the source of parts and equipment and how it has changed in the last 20 years alone. The fact that our whole economy is held hostage by foreign company's and governments. It is just a fact of the times look at the FarmTrac problems.It can happen to any foreign company, they can take their marbles and go home if it is too their advantage. SBA Loans are a thing of the past and people that are willing to work long hours for little pay can not get the capital needed to operate against the big stock market (big box stores) financed stores that are owned by foreigners stock owners. Just look how much money China has put in the stock market in the last few years. I challenge anyone to go to these assembly plants in the US that claim to assemble compact tractors and equipment. Most that I have seen only put tires and sheet metal on that comes out of one container on a drive train that came out of another container(that comes from who knows where). We can all spin words and make someone believe that it is made here or there but in the end it only matters how strong the company is financially and how much staying power the dealer has (how hard he is willing to work for low return on his investment). Look what is happening in the large tractor market the last of the truely North American built tractors. Russia bought the Buhler/versitale plant and it will not be long before all that technology and jobs are sent over there. JD is selling all their large tractors to Russsia and telling US dealers to wait until next year for product. JD is building a large manufacturing plant in Russia because their economy is more stable than ours at this time. (They are selling oil to other countries instead of having to buy it.) A capitalist system does not work well in an open market situation where all the profits are allowed to follow out of the system to the benefit of others. We as a country have relied on cheap food and cheap energy for too long. Ask any industry which employment group is the most efficent and easy to manage and they will tell you that they will take a farm raised kid because of their ability to think for their self. So now you can understand why many farm equipment dealers continue to fight the fight for the good of the country. Walmart can not feed the country, Farmers can not feed the country without the success of "individuals " that are willing to gain knowledge to manufacture,repair and supply parts and equipment. You can mail order tractors and you can mail order parts from around the world but you have to read and understand "FACTURAL" Information in-order to operate and repair them. Isn't it easier to pay a tractor dealer a little bit more to read it one time and repair many tractors so that they can improve their skills and operate more efficently. -------I have a special file for all the hate mail so just send it on!!! It is called file 13(DELETE BUTTON). Men are die---ing for your right to an opinion and your "RIGHT" to express it. Thanks TBN for the oppurtunity to express mine!!!

 

[froggy]

When we run out of tanks, its time to start using all those stockpiled nuclear weapons.

LMAO!!