Just how do you BUY AMERICAN?

[whistlepig]

And even if you were willing to pay more for an American made or European made quality item, they're no longer available because they've gone offshore, or gone under.

Perfect example: Last week I went looking for quality work boots. I wanted really good ones this time so I went to a Red Wing store. I found that Red Wing does still make a few dozen types in the USA (and they were a good 25% more expensive), but their "Worx" line are all made in China to keep prices low. The store owner's feeling was that in a few more years, most, if not all the Red Wing shoes will be made in China.

I know I am going to get thumped for this but the best quality stuff I am seeing these days is coming from Japan. Not that the American worker is inferior. It's just that the Japanese consumer is more demanding.

 

[queen of spades]

So what is one to do really, who's fault id it?

The reason Chinese manufacturers have decimated our own manufacturing base has to do with a few things. You could make your molds here but you chose to offshore manufacturing. It's a free country. Consumers like me are paying closer attention to who invests in America, and who is more interested in making the most money for themselves at the expense of U.S. workers.

Something else that I haven't heard talked about yet. China artificially devalues it's currency in order for their products to appear cheaper on the world market. Google "China devalues currency" to read all about it. Our domestic manufacturers (and yes, there are plenty still left here) are placed at an economic disadvantage due to China working the financial markets for their own gain.

Of course, they also use children to make toys, force prison workers at gun point to make America's junk, and have little to no environmental regulation. It's perfectly legal for their factories to dump toxic byproducts in streams, rivers and lakes. They don't have the same overhead we do here. Another reason U.S. manufacturing is under attack.

Like I said, a lot of us are paying attention and making choices on where to buy our products. Nobody is faulting you for wanting to be more profitable, but don't fault us when we stop buying your Chinese-made products.

 

[greenmule]

I wasn't blaming unions,many unions are very highy skilled,many hours of schooling and training,very dangerous jobs,many rough working conditions,for some unions that is.I was pointing out one,that never did impress me,and one that has a direct connection to the topic being disscused.

 

[mjncad]

Free trade is NOT fair trade!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just wanted to give Cat Driver something else to think about. Perhaps one reason the Chinese are so willing to take on a new invention is so they can get the design info. Then they can start copying it and put it on the market cheaper than the patent holder since the Chinese dont recognize US patent laws, they can flood the market with your product in the coming months. Better enjoy your profits while you can.

 

[J_J]

And here I am thinking that Bosch products were made in Germany. On the bottom of my Bosch battery charger for 18 v batteries, it says made in China.

 

[Builder]

I know I am going to get thumped for this but the best quality stuff I am seeing these days is coming from Japan. Not that the American worker is inferior. It's just that the Japanese consumer is more demanding.

I wouldn't dispute that at all. Japan is also second only to the US for the highest standard of living in the world. However, a lot of what once were Japanese made products are now being made in malaysia, taiwan, etc. They are experiencing the same problems.

 

[greenmule]

Made in japan quality ain't a thing you can trust anymores cause it probably ain't.
They [and koreans and many others] but koreans and japs I have first hand knowledge of,,have been building plants in china for years,so that high quality japanese product you think you have,probably ain't made in japan,japan is just making more money,lets see that would involve kabota,deere,kioti,mahindra......

 

[Cat_Driver]

...I just wanted to give Cat Driver something else to think about. Perhaps one reason the Chinese are so willing to take on a new invention is so they can get the design info. Then they can start copying it and put it on the market cheaper than the patent holder since the Chinese dont recognize US patent laws, they can flood the market with your product in the coming months. Better enjoy your profits while you can.

I never have one company do ALL the items in my invention. I have several companies do various parts. I do final assembly or boxing here.

Some Chines do rip people off, but mostly it's hard for the Chinese to market and distribute so they stick to what they know and that's manufacturing and even try and protect their customers. A few times I have seen a product that I want to purchase on a Chinese site and they write back and say sorry not for North American sales, or Sorry World patents we will not sell etc.

...Like I said, a lot of us are paying attention and making choices on where to buy our products. Nobody is faulting you for wanting to be more profitable, but don't fault us when we stop buying your Chinese-made products.

In theory statements like this are all well and good, and I was so against foreign products that I would never buy them, then I realized who am I kidding nothing is made here any more that I purchase.

Am I NOT going to buy blue jeans for $14.00 at Costco or am I going to buy Levis for $39.50. They look the same last as long who am I kidding when I can buy three pair - why buy one pair, to make a point.

OH BUT WAIT, the company that Mr.Levi Strauss started during the Gold Rush is now being made overses.

Then when I want an all American Hersey bar from Hershey Pennsylvania , OH WAIT that great American company is now making chocolate overseas.

Cars and parts made overseas, TV's overseas, and on and on and on. I don't have the time or energy any more to figure out who makes what where.

So either I and you purchase NOTHING at all or we purchase things made overseas. See it's just not practical for a few people to not purchase foreign goods and it just not effective when so many more millions will. We are out numbered.

One can keep fighting it or like they say if you can't beat em JOIN EM.

Last point on why Americans won't succeed by not buying overseas. There are not enough of "US" Americans left, with all the foreigners here they will do what they want and could care less what real American do or don't do and since a lot are from China and Japan they will always support there home land. Have you notice who mostly buys Toyotas?

 

[tractordriver]

I'D like to thank the us government for looking out for my best interest as they feel I'm safest being unemployed.
I'd like to particularly give thanks to OSHA the EPA and most importantly the unfree trade agreements. Well i guess they work for me i get to trade my good paying factory job for a safer lower paying retail job selling the fine imported wares from the likes of china. What suckers are the Chinese to take all our unsafe factory jobs. Sure i like cheap goods just like the other g
buy but not at the cost of starving my family.
yea I'm a bitter pa gun owner.