I'm tired of Made in China on everything. I'm tired of wondering how far my stuff has come to get to me. I'm tired of cut rate costs meaning cut rate products, but since they ALL suck there isn't much that complaining can accomplish. Until, that is, someone actually listens. I'm on a hunt to start making my home an American Made home, and there is one place I'm starting: All American Clothing Co. I know almost nothing about them, and haven't shopped them yet, but I'm so willing to spend a little more to buy from a home team. And guess what? A lot of their stuff isn't more expensive. They have tees starting at $9, not bad.
One of these days I will stop being moved by people that don't care about my stuff, and I will be willing to spend good money on good furniture. I'm already saving for Stickley's gorgeous heirloom furniture. I once watched John Ratzenberger stand inside a drawer still in the dresser on his show, Made in America.
I'm not getting paid to talk about these manufactures, and I'm not getting free product. In fact, they have no idea who I am or that I'm writing about them. That isn't the point, the point is that I'm looking to vote with my dollars to bring back manufacturing to American shores. To make our nation, once again, a strong nation of hardworking builders that bring more to the world than just the latest Ap.
So, any other thoughts out there? Any American manufactures that you want to pass on?
~The DO
6 comments:
The principle you embrace is based on emotion not reason. Sorry to be contrarian.
The reason we are deluged with Made in China/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Indonesia products is that they are "reasonable" quality at a price people are happy to pay. Benefits accrue to the purchaser and the retailer.
The "Buy American" mantra ignores that basic. Once "Made in America" signified quality and in many companies it still does. But the criteria is not nationalism but quality construction coupled with value received deemed as worth the price.
Dare I add that unions have skewed that process badly?
I gladly and eagerly buy American furniture, computers, guns, and ammo. I wouldn't even consider an American car.
Getting back to things made here is something this country really needs to do, and in fact I believe that when we buy something not made here in this country it actually costs more on the backside because ultimately you put someone out of work and then we all pay for it, I call it the circular economic firing squad. I have a post on it here if you want to check it out.
http://prepology.blogspot.com/2011/01/repost-on-buy-american-circular-firing.html
Hey Ed, I never claimed it was based on reason:) Nor did I advocate protectionism, nor tell anyone else that they needed/must do the same. I simply pointed out my own sense of desires and asked for input from others. I don't WANT to buy goods manufactured from an economic and political rival. I don't WANT the balance of import/ export to be a negative for us. I don't WANT to be in a position of having to import to have goods to buy.
I would, however, disagree with the idea that most Wally World products are reasonable quality anymore. We've just gotten use to worse and worse quality, until we no longer understand what reasonable is. I've purchased made in China flannel sheets at a big box store (*cough, Cost-something-or-other, cough*) as well as that produced in Germany. Guess which is the better quality, hand feel, texture, and durability? Hungary imports EVERYTHING and their stuff sucks, for the most part, except for a few specific items, and those are the ones not produced in the orient. German goods rock, for the most part.
If I buy a shirt from an American manufacturer for $9, and it doesn't warp or twist the way the Wally crap does after 2 washings, I'll be ahead. 30 years ago shirts didn't end up with side seams running from your arm pit to belly button, which happens often now. Am I boycotting Wally world? No, where else would I go shopping with my Mom and Grandma?? I'm just saying that I'm interested in actively pursuing American Made options. When they are reasonable and the service/product matches what I consider to be a reasonable price then my choice is American.
Thanks for the input Scott. I'll leave the economics to others. For me, it's all about the but-I-don't-wanna that Ed pointed out! I'm okay with my personal decisions being based on emotion. It's only a bad thing when dangerous (i.e. has serious detrimental effects on others) or leads to increased legislation!
Check out maderighthere.blogspot.com
Mr. B from In the Middle of the Right, Midwest Chick from Non-Original Rants and Og from Neanderpundit have been gathering information on American Made products and posting it there for those interested.
Hey Spikessib, that's fantastic, thanks for passing that one on!
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