alfadriver wrote:
And if you really think that US manufacturers have a lot of imported products, you may want to check their investor sites to see their plant distribution. I know of a company that is constantly thought of not American but has 3 plants in Mexico, 6 in Canada, and 26 in the US.
But that's exactly why the line is blurred. I don't know what company that is you speak of, but the NASCAR folks I used to work with would no doubt say that the company you speak of is terrible for out economy and tall the money goes overseas. What you just said tells me that the "foreign" company you speak is is quite American. All those thousands (tens-of-thousands?) of people that produce, ship and otherwise support that product are Americans. I could care less who owns the company.
Given the choice for similar products (the last example I can think of was a crowbar) I'll choose American, even if it's a bit more. Ultimately, quality rules.
I read labels and boxes all the time, and it's frustrating how little choice there actually is on most consumer products. We simply don't make most of this stuff anymore. There is no choice other than China, and that irritates me.
I'm obviously very passionate about cars like everyone on this site, and I tell everyone I'm totally stunned we bought a domestic vehicle (Jeep Patriot). Had nothing to do with where it was made, nor the brand (I've historically had low regard for anything Chrysler). We simply found it was the best product for our needs. Here's hoping it vastly exceeds the last two domestic dailies I owned (89 Cavalier, 81 Charger 2.2) that were both piles of excrement. But I'm pretty confident in the track record of the Jeep, something I didn't have the availability to research with the earlier turds. And let's face it; two decades of hefty competition means you either get better or disappear.
True answer is that I do try to buy American.
Don't think I have ever had a shopping trip where I found myself buying anything because it was foreign.
Bruce
When I have the option I try to buy from a country unlikely to have sweatshops, forced prison labor, etc. However, trying to buy consumer products without buying Chinese is impossible, and just buying gas helps line the pockets of some of the worst despots in the world. 
I notice the New Google Media Player is designed and built in the USA. 
Hal
Dork
6/27/12 5:26 p.m.
I like to buy American and do whenever it makes sense to do so. But some times it is difficult.
We have 3 cars. All are from two of the "Big 3" American companies. One was built in Detroit, one was built in Canada, and the third was built in Turkey.
Both of my cars were made in Kentucky (F250 Superduty, C5 Corvette). Before that, my long line of DSMs were made in Illinois, and the VWs were made in Pennsylvania.
With cars, I don't care. I just buy the cars I like but since they aren't new it doesn't really matter.
93EXCivic wrote:
With cars, I don't care. I just buy the cars I like but since they aren't new it doesn't really matter.
Quoted for truth there.
As for the whole made in america debate. We can only profit by bringing manufacturing back to the US. A healthy middleclass benefits everyone from the bottom to the top. Sadly, all the bean counters seem to have not been taught that in school
alex
UltraDork
6/27/12 9:39 p.m.
I know there are running lists of which cars are predominantly "American," whether that's built in the States or made of parts from here or both. Where do these lists come from? Where can they be found, and what are their sources?
Strictly musing, here...
Is it better to buy American at any cost? Or is it better to buy the best quality at the lowest price to encourage competition and growth/development in the manufacturing industry as a whole to move mankind forward and improve the quality of life around the world?
it is a good idea, halftrack.. but it's not going to happen. We are so into the "lowest cost at any price" that as soon as things get too expensive to build in china.. it will find some other third world nation to profit off of.
Remember when "made in taiwan" was a joke? How soon till it is "made in somalia"? or some other less than third world nation in Africa where they can pay their workers 2 cents a day?
mad_machine wrote:
it is a good idea, halftrack.. but it's not going to happen. We are so into the "lowest cost at any price" that as soon as things get too expensive to build in china.. it will find some other third world nation to profit off of.
Remember when "made in taiwan" was a joke? How soon till it is "made in somalia"? or some other less than third world nation in Africa where they can pay their workers 2 cents a day?
Well, i'm looking a little broader than that... But unfortunately the issue is that your average consumer doesn't give two E36 M3s about how GOOD something is, just how CHEAP it is, and that's it.
People like us aren't "the problem," even if we do buy Chinese or Taiwan things.
I'll buy a quality something made in China. I'll buy a quality something made in Taiwan. I won't buy a E36 M3ty something made in the US. I won't buy a E36 M3ty something made in China.
The point is that we should be supporting quality manufacturing in general. WHERE it comes from should be secondary. It's the year 2012. The Cold War is over.
Something I had wondered about for a while that was recently talked about on NPR in regards to clothing. When I was growing up, I had a pair of jeans I got from a cousin. When I got them, I had to roll the cuffs a good 6 inches until I finally grew into them. By the time I finally outgrew them, they were WHITE from sun and wash fade.. but still in good shape after what seemed like 5 or 6 years worth of wear on my part (and who knows how much my cousin had them)
Today, I am lucky to get a year out of a pair of jeans (even decent ones) before they just start to fall apart. I am not talking garage jeans either.. just everyday wear and tear.
The article on NPR talked about how little we spend on clothing anymore. How clothing used to be a good 30% of our expenses.. but has fallen to less than 10% because of how cheap clothing is now.
jere
Reader
6/27/12 11:27 p.m.
I am against the working conditions in countries like China, little kids in the workforce, no union, 16+ hour days... and all to make some rich shiny happy people that don't give back richer. As far as sinking the US economy I wouldn't mind seeing a big change, if it tanks and everyone's way of life gets a little tougher so be it. We as average joes could use some more tightening of our belts, and the rich could stand to do a days work for a living. That is definitely what sending our manufacturing plants over seas is doing, the one that are in our country owned by other countries isn't an issue. The problem with the jobs going into poor countries is that it makes life WORSE for the people living there already in "poverty", as in their standard of living goes down.
I can't afford many things new, and when I can that usually means foreign. But I try to support the "used" market first ie Craigslist and the like. Next I try and make my own DIY when I can . When I have to buy foreign I go with the cheapest that I can (HF or direct ship from China), to keep as much cash out of the super richs' pockets. The government should step in but they are making their money either way, it's up to us as consumers to change/fix it.
EvanR
Reader
6/27/12 11:40 p.m.
mad_machine wrote:
93EXCivic wrote:
With cars, I don't care. I just buy the cars I like but since they aren't new it doesn't really matter.
Quoted for truth there.
As for the whole made in america debate. We can only profit by bringing manufacturing back to the US. A healthy middleclass benefits everyone from the bottom to the top. Sadly, all the bean counters seem to have not been taught that in school
Well, it still is sort of relevant where your used car was made.
Why? Some new-car buyers, maybe most, care about resale value. Whatever factors affect resale value affect you, as a used-car buyer.
Why are used Cavaliers cheaper than used Corollas?
jrw1621
PowerDork
6/28/12 5:21 a.m.
alex wrote:
I know there are running lists of which cars are predominantly "American," whether that's built in the States or made of parts from here or both. Where do these lists come from? Where can they be found, and what are their sources?
Who From: National Highway Traffic Safety Admin and the The American Automobile Labeling Act
Where Found: posting #5 of page 1
Sources: Mandatory reporting by manufacturers
jrw1621 wrote:
Recent automotive domestic content (where domestic means US and Canada with no distinction between the two.)
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety/Part+583+American+Automobile+Labeling+Act+%28AALA%29+Reports
jere wrote:
I am against the working conditions in countries like China, little kids in the workforce, no union, 16+ hour days... and all to make some rich shiny happy people that don't give back richer. As far as sinking the US economy I wouldn't mind seeing a big change, if it tanks and everyone's way of life gets a little tougher so be it. We as average joes could use some more tightening of our belts, and the rich could stand to do a days work for a living. That is definitely what sending our manufacturing plants over seas is doing, the one that are in our country owned by other countries isn't an issue. The problem with the jobs going into poor countries is that it makes life WORSE for the people living there already in "poverty", as in their standard of living goes down.
I can't afford many things new, and when I can that usually means foreign. But I try to support the "used" market first ie Craigslist and the like. Next I try and make my own DIY when I can . When I have to buy foreign I go with the cheapest that I can (HF or direct ship from China), to keep as much cash out of the super richs' pockets. The government should step in but they are making their money either way, it's up to us as consumers to change/fix it.
Wow, just wow. Your hatred of the rich is pretty apparent. So you always buy the cheapest you can find...that's the Wal-Mart mentality, which is a big reason why so much stuff does come from China, when you shop on price alone and with no regard for quality. I'd like for you to explain how the booming economy in China, India, etc has made the standard of living WORSE for those people. I'll have another cup of tea while I wait....
fritzsch wrote:
93EXCivic wrote:
I try to buy from companies who treat their employees with a little care. So I try to avoid Walmart.
and Apple I hope.
most people avoid apple products because they are apple products
ddavidv wrote:
jere wrote:
I am against the working conditions in countries like China, little kids in the workforce, no union, 16+ hour days... and all to make some rich shiny happy people that don't give back richer. As far as sinking the US economy I wouldn't mind seeing a big change, if it tanks and everyone's way of life gets a little tougher so be it. We as average joes could use some more tightening of our belts, and the rich could stand to do a days work for a living. That is definitely what sending our manufacturing plants over seas is doing, the one that are in our country owned by other countries isn't an issue. The problem with the jobs going into poor countries is that it makes life WORSE for the people living there already in "poverty", as in their standard of living goes down.
I can't afford many things new, and when I can that usually means foreign. But I try to support the "used" market first ie Craigslist and the like. Next I try and make my own DIY when I can . When I have to buy foreign I go with the cheapest that I can (HF or direct ship from China), to keep as much cash out of the super richs' pockets. The government should step in but they are making their money either way, it's up to us as consumers to change/fix it.
Wow, just wow. Your hatred of the rich is pretty apparent. So you always buy the cheapest you can find...that's the Wal-Mart mentality, which is a big reason why so much stuff does come from China, when you shop on price alone and with no regard for quality. I'd like for you to explain how the booming economy in China, India, etc has made the standard of living WORSE for those people. I'll have another cup of tea while I wait....
Yes, I am as well.
Especially considering the province in China were most electronics are assembled was just given ANOTHER pay raise.
We aren't too far off from the price of shipping + increasing wages meaning some jobs coming back to the states.
A Chinese company is opening a new aluminum manufacturing plant in the middle of Indiana. They were one of my customers at my last job. Everyone working on the construction project, as well as all the staff hired for the plant, are American. It was very rare to see anyone oriental there(only happened twice).
How does GRM feel toward something like that?
z31maniac wrote:
ddavidv wrote:
jere wrote:
I am against the working conditions in countries like China, little kids in the workforce, no union, 16+ hour days... and all to make some rich shiny happy people that don't give back richer. As far as sinking the US economy I wouldn't mind seeing a big change, if it tanks and everyone's way of life gets a little tougher so be it. We as average joes could use some more tightening of our belts, and the rich could stand to do a days work for a living. That is definitely what sending our manufacturing plants over seas is doing, the one that are in our country owned by other countries isn't an issue. The problem with the jobs going into poor countries is that it makes life WORSE for the people living there already in "poverty", as in their standard of living goes down.
I can't afford many things new, and when I can that usually means foreign. But I try to support the "used" market first ie Craigslist and the like. Next I try and make my own DIY when I can . When I have to buy foreign I go with the cheapest that I can (HF or direct ship from China), to keep as much cash out of the super richs' pockets. The government should step in but they are making their money either way, it's up to us as consumers to change/fix it.
Wow, just wow. Your hatred of the rich is pretty apparent. So you always buy the cheapest you can find...that's the Wal-Mart mentality, which is a big reason why so much stuff does come from China, when you shop on price alone and with no regard for quality. I'd like for you to explain how the booming economy in China, India, etc has made the standard of living WORSE for those people. I'll have another cup of tea while I wait....
Yes, I am as well.
Especially considering the province in China were most electronics are assembled was just given ANOTHER pay raise.
We aren't too far off from the price of shipping + increasing wages meaning some jobs coming back to the states.
Never happen.. not while there are people to exploit somewhere else in the world
