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OK... Enough is ENOUGH.
retroxler58
Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
It's time to put into action what I've been preaching'... Long enough.
We ALL have to buy things we need...
And we usually go where ever things are cheapest or the most convenient.
And some times we even research the best product available.
But which one of you check where that product is actually made?
When was the last time you actually took the time to seek out products made in America?
Recently, Linda and I went shopping at Belk's [a local, mid to high end clothing, specialty store]...
And I was appalled by the fact that not a single item we were looking for could be found with a "Made In The USA" label attached.
In fact, I told her that if she could find something...
Anything with a "Made In The USA" label attached...
I'd buy it right then and there. Sadly, she couldn't do it.
The reason is profit margins..
I realize that a company has to make money to stay in business... But at the cost of American jobs? Why...?
If we... The American employed aren't employed.... How the Hell can we buy anything?
I refuse to continue supporting retailers who, in the guise of ever increasing profits, deliberately
go out of their way to destroy American manufacturing by contracting their stock purchases
from suppliers somewhere other than America. Just for the sake of increased profits.
I'm not naive enough to think that what I'm proposing will make a real quick difference...
But, I know that if it happens long and often enough... A difference will be made and retailers will notice their ever shrinking profits.
They'll take actions that ultimately will bring America back to the top.
I propose that when you make that next purchase... Take note of where the item was made.
If it doesn't have a label saying Made In The USA... Stop... Put it back on the shelf... And continue looking for that USA made item.
"That's Impossible...!" you say... I say you're dead wrong...
We each have at our fingertips the powerful means to quickly search out "USA Made" items.
Go to the internet and be sure to search "USA Made" along with the item description.
If it's available... Buy only USA made.
Every item you buy "Made in the USA", it helps employ an American worker and helps keep American jobs.
Doing otherwise helps kill our jobs... And our future.
Think it won't affect you because you work in an office or have a service based job...?
You can't be affected because you don't work in retail or manufacturing...?
Think again my friends... Just WHO do you think provides the means for your salary?
American workers buying American Made Stuff... That's WHO!
Remember... America isn't exporting too much American Made stuff...
Yet America is the number one IMPORTER of stuff NOT MADE IN THE USA!!!!
Here's a website dedicated to providing you the means to buy AMERICAN...
American Made List
By the way... American made "Texas" brand jeans... Only $29.99 off their website...
That's cheaper than the last "LEE" brand jeans I bought three years ago!!!
And LEE jeans haven't been made in the USA for a long time.
I encourage you... No... I definitely CHALLENGE you to buy AMERICAN MADE ONLY!
Take this challenge to your friends and others you know.
The job you save just might be your own soon...
Gotta go... I've got some American Made Jeans to order... and in "MY SIZE" Too! Later... [;)]
We ALL have to buy things we need...
And we usually go where ever things are cheapest or the most convenient.
And some times we even research the best product available.
But which one of you check where that product is actually made?
When was the last time you actually took the time to seek out products made in America?
Recently, Linda and I went shopping at Belk's [a local, mid to high end clothing, specialty store]...
And I was appalled by the fact that not a single item we were looking for could be found with a "Made In The USA" label attached.
In fact, I told her that if she could find something...
Anything with a "Made In The USA" label attached...
I'd buy it right then and there. Sadly, she couldn't do it.
The reason is profit margins..
I realize that a company has to make money to stay in business... But at the cost of American jobs? Why...?
If we... The American employed aren't employed.... How the Hell can we buy anything?
I refuse to continue supporting retailers who, in the guise of ever increasing profits, deliberately
go out of their way to destroy American manufacturing by contracting their stock purchases
from suppliers somewhere other than America. Just for the sake of increased profits.
I'm not naive enough to think that what I'm proposing will make a real quick difference...
But, I know that if it happens long and often enough... A difference will be made and retailers will notice their ever shrinking profits.
They'll take actions that ultimately will bring America back to the top.
I propose that when you make that next purchase... Take note of where the item was made.
If it doesn't have a label saying Made In The USA... Stop... Put it back on the shelf... And continue looking for that USA made item.
"That's Impossible...!" you say... I say you're dead wrong...
We each have at our fingertips the powerful means to quickly search out "USA Made" items.
Go to the internet and be sure to search "USA Made" along with the item description.
If it's available... Buy only USA made.
Every item you buy "Made in the USA", it helps employ an American worker and helps keep American jobs.
Doing otherwise helps kill our jobs... And our future.
Think it won't affect you because you work in an office or have a service based job...?
You can't be affected because you don't work in retail or manufacturing...?
Think again my friends... Just WHO do you think provides the means for your salary?
American workers buying American Made Stuff... That's WHO!
Remember... America isn't exporting too much American Made stuff...
Yet America is the number one IMPORTER of stuff NOT MADE IN THE USA!!!!
Here's a website dedicated to providing you the means to buy AMERICAN...
American Made List
By the way... American made "Texas" brand jeans... Only $29.99 off their website...
That's cheaper than the last "LEE" brand jeans I bought three years ago!!!
And LEE jeans haven't been made in the USA for a long time.
I encourage you... No... I definitely CHALLENGE you to buy AMERICAN MADE ONLY!
Take this challenge to your friends and others you know.
The job you save just might be your own soon...
Gotta go... I've got some American Made Jeans to order... and in "MY SIZE" Too! Later... [;)]
Comments
I was about ready to say "not this snot again", but you posted a link to a MADE IN THE U.S.A. store..... Thanks
If that's all you get from the posting... Great! At least you got something useful... [:D]
And the link is to a LIST of American Made Suppliers for a Whole Lot Of Stuff....
Look up an item and find a list of manufacturers who you can choose from... Easier than SNOT... [^][;)]
"But what if you can't find American Made Stuff at the store...?"
That's the point...
If your local retailer isn't stocking Made in the USA...
AND... You ain't buying it because it ain't "Made in the USA"...
They WILL stock American products soon enough...
They'll not go long without profits... GA-RUN-TEED...
She also made the proverbial point...
"You'd have to get the entire Nation Involved..."
Exactly...
I'm not the one who thought this up... Wish I could claim that as my own. But I can't.
I'm just trying to get the word out and make enough of a noise to get some notice.
A forest fire starts with a single spark.... and SOON ENOUGH... Burns Out of Control.
I only ask that if you agree with the idea... Let someone know about it...
Send an eMail to a few friends and ask them to do the same.
We ALL buy products every week... Just be sure you're buying USA MADE Stuff.
That's the whole idea....
Sometimes, the simplest, most direct path... is the TRUEST PATH... to the CORRECT ANSWER.
Let the word out... Save your job along with many other AMERICANS...
BUY USA MADE ONLY.
Seems like electronics are the hardest thing to find made in the USA.
If retailers figure out that their profits are in USA Made Goods...
Electronics Manufacturing will come back to the good Ol' US of A...
Take pride in keeping life simple... BUY USA MADE.
Bought one of these today: http://model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=308
Gonna need a range report.... [:D]
forget buying a TV, stereo or video game and you may as well turn off your computer too.
Amazingly, a good portion of the new cars are made in the US. Sadly most of the parts come from "elsewhere"
Turn out the lights, the parties over.
Besides, American made incandescent bulbs are banned for sale after the 1st of October 2012. Manufacturing of them ended the 1st of January.
Not going to happen, the non union folks can't afford made in U.S.A. products.[:)]
I argue this day and day out with these union idiots. They don't get. They make 50% more money than the average joe, and yet they don't understand my noone can afford their products. but it's worse than that. The problem is not Americans not being able to afford American products, if we can't afford our own stuff, how the hell are we going to sell it in a foreign country that can't afford to buy anything?
I thought vizio tv's were us built? Alabama is it?
Wal Mart use to be made in usa. Not so now. I did buy some camo shirts made in us this year. It's a start.
If we can't sell out product over there, we sure in hell don't need to be buying theirs over here. This is exactly why the union works against American products and not for America.
Anyone who believes this is delusional. NAFTA and the WTO have to be repealed and until then there is no fix for the problems those trade agreements have caused.
Till it's fixed from the top down I buy what I have to where I have to made by whoever it has to be made by to get myself by.
And there is nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is the system in place. Remove it and you solve the problem. Buying American only hurts you becauase you will never be able to buy enough American made products to mae a difference.
Time to wake up and smell the BS here.
Not going to happen, the non union folks can't afford made in U.S.A. products.[:)]
American Made Jeans from "Texas" Brand Jeans in Texas sell for $29.99/pair SHIPPED
Local retailer is selling "LEE" brand jeans made in Mexico for $39.95 PLUS NC Tax...
AND... I gotta drive to the store to pick 'em up... Sometimes they ain't got "MY SIZE" either.
I think it's a no brainer...
And even if the USA Made stuff costs more... So what.
I'm trying to save my salary as well...
And I don't work in either a manufacturing or retail venture.
of "Made in USA" to be placed
on an item, by a percentage base.
Certain % made here and a certain %
made overseas. I don't
remember the numbers but one doesn't
get an item entirely "Made in The USA"
I guess you won't be going to Walmart either. Come to think of it, you may not be able to dress yourself at all.
forget buying a TV, stereo or video game and you may as well turn off your computer too.
Amazingly, a good portion of the new cars are made in the US. Sadly most of the parts come from "elsewhere"
Turn out the lights, the parties over.
Besides, American made incandescent bulbs are banned for sale after the 1st of October 2012. Manufacturing of them ended the 1st of January.
So you're giving up before you even got started...
You must not be having to work anymore Scott.
There's plenty of products MADE In the USA to buy instead of buying the cheap imitation imports.
And when enough American product is bought instead of the import stuff, retailers will start stocking USA MADE product again.
If ya gotta do without something 'cause it's not made in the USA.... I say do without rather than support cheap labor.
quote:Originally posted by victorlvlb
Not going to happen, the non union folks can't afford made in U.S.A. products.[:)]
I argue this day and day out with these union idiots. They don't get. They make 50% more money than the average joe, and yet they don't understand my noone can afford their products. but it's worse than that. The problem is not Americans not being able to afford American products, if we can't afford our own stuff, how the hell are we going to sell it in a foreign country that can't afford to buy anything?
I thought vizio tv's were us built? Alabama is it?
Wal Mart use to be made in usa. Not so now. I did buy some camo shirts made in us this year. It's a start.
If we can't sell out product over there, we sure in hell don't need to be buying theirs over here. This is exactly why the union works against American products and not for America.
ED'ZACHARY... [;)]
Supply and Demand works folks...
And retailers will stock what they make profits on...
Product that don't move gets sold at fire sales and replaced.
And Wally World... Can kiss mine where the sun's never shined...
Walmart did use to be a local, USA Made Store... 'Till Sam died, then family got real greedy.
It pains me to see American banging their heads against the wall thinking that buying American will fix the mess from the bottom up.
Anyone who believes this is delusional. NAFTA and the WTO have to be repealed and until then there is no fix for the problems those trade agreements have caused.
Till it's fixed from the top down I buy what I have to where I have to made by whoever it has to be made by to get myself by.
And there is nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is the system in place. Remove it and you solve the problem. Buying American only hurts you becauase you will never be able to buy enough American made products to mae a difference.
Time to wake up and smell the BS here.
Haven't necessarily looked at the website did you...?
Plenty of stuff MADE in the USA to buy...
While I disagree that BUYING AMERICAN won't work... I do agree that NAFTA and WTO stinks.
One of the biggest mistakes ever made in my opinion... And it needs to get changed.
But do remember that the forest fire that could be burning out of control will start with a single spark.
I don't see this as a single front effort at all... In fact it's multi-faceted for sure...
But BUYING AMERICAN IS something WE can do personally that WILL affect change in the correct direction. [;)]
I read where the gov't allows the stamp
of "Made in USA" to be placed
on an item, by a percentage base.
Certain % made here and a certain %
made overseas. I don't
remember the numbers but one doesn't
get an item entirely "Made in The USA"
Sadly you are correct... I believe that the number is simply 51% USA gets the label.
The website I posted looks into all of this and will confirm, or define otherwise, the MADE IN USA label is genuine.
Short of taking the website's word... You have the right to ask, and expect, an answer from the manufacturer
about where the product is made... where does the raw goods come from... where is it assembled...
You ARE Empowered as a consumer... and you DO have a CHOICE...
http://www.madeinusa.org/
I buy the best I can find regardless of where it is made. It seems anymore it's not where it is made but when. I have tools made decades before I was born that are better than anything I can buy new today. I have a Craftsman drill press made in the 50's that is ten times better than any they make today.
Touche' ... right on. [:(] [:0] [B)]
Linda just asked a good question...
"But what if you can't find American Made Stuff at the store...?"
That's the point...
If your local retailer isn't stocking Made in the USA...
AND... You ain't buying it because it ain't "Made in the USA"...
They WILL stock American products soon enough...
They'll not go long without profits... GA-RUN-TEED...
She also made the proverbial point...
"You'd have to get the entire Nation Involved..."
Exactly...
I'm not the one who thought this up... Wish I could claim that as my own. But I can't.
I'm just trying to get the word out and make enough of a noise to get some notice.
A forest fire starts with a single spark.... and SOON ENOUGH... Burns Out of Control.
I only ask that if you agree with the idea... Let someone know about it...
Send an eMail to a few friends and ask them to do the same.
We ALL buy products every week... Just be sure you're buying USA MADE Stuff.
That's the whole idea....
Sometimes, the simplest, most direct path... is the TRUEST PATH... to the CORRECT ANSWER.
Let the word out... Save your job along with many other AMERICANS...
BUY USA MADE ONLY.Please prove you, or anyone you know does this.
I wish we all could, but it is simply impossible.
NS
for 34 yrs and years ago the thought
process was no overseas componets in the
units in case of war because you don't
know when the items will dry up or who
the manufacturer will be friendly with.
Currently ,they also used percentages
and I'm pretty sure these change from time
to time but certainly not in our favor
quote:Originally posted by retroxler58
Linda just asked a good question...
"But what if you can't find American Made Stuff at the store...?"
That's the point...
If your local retailer isn't stocking Made in the USA...
AND... You ain't buying it because it ain't "Made in the USA"...
They WILL stock American products soon enough...
They'll not go long without profits... GA-RUN-TEED...
She also made the proverbial point...
"You'd have to get the entire Nation Involved..."
Exactly...
I'm not the one who thought this up... Wish I could claim that as my own. But I can't.
I'm just trying to get the word out and make enough of a noise to get some notice.
A forest fire starts with a single spark.... and SOON ENOUGH... Burns Out of Control.
I only ask that if you agree with the idea... Let someone know about it...
Send an eMail to a few friends and ask them to do the same.
We ALL buy products every week... Just be sure you're buying USA MADE Stuff.
That's the whole idea....
Sometimes, the simplest, most direct path... is the TRUEST PATH... to the CORRECT ANSWER.
Let the word out... Save your job along with many other AMERICANS...
BUY USA MADE ONLY.Please prove you, or anyone you know does this.
I wish we all could, but it is simply impossible.
NS
Should I post the receipt for the "TEXAS" brand jeans when they arrive???
All I propose is that anyone seeking to purchase something.... FIRST check to see if a product is MADE in the USA.
And if so... BUY American rather than a cheaper foreign import... Simple. [;)]
Buying American, USA Made Products at your local retailer is next to impossible...
Because of the profits currently made by the same retailer from selling cheaper made foreign Imports.
By buying those same cheaper products from that local retailer... You've just supported the loss of American jobs.
By instead saying... "Enough is ENOUGH"... I'll NOT buy your product if I can get it elsewhere...
And following through... You send a very sound, real message to the retailers of America that you mean business.
They'll NOT have your money unless they stock American Made Products...
AND... Even Better... They'll NOT make profits until they do.
YOU... The Consumer... Are in control. You just don't realize it.
Take control and get American jobs back where they belong... HERE, in the USA.
When the jeans arrive... I'll post the receipt... Is that enough proof for you? [;)]
EDIT: I never doubted your integrity. If you say your buying American products, I believe it. What I doubted is that American's can buy 100% American products/produce every day and still afford it.
I applaud your efforts.
NS
Not a problem... we can all try harder, but to ask the "american consumer" to go cold turkey on all foreign bought products is simply impossible IMHO.
EDIT: I never doubted your integrity. If you say your buying American products, I believe it. What I doubted is that American's can buy 100% American products/produce every day and still afford it.
I applaud your efforts.
NS
NS... Agreed... There is NO WAY.... Any Consumer can buy 100%... and to think that is ludicrous.
But to begin to make an impact such that the profits currently being made are systematically reduced...
Well, that would get notice and PDQ!
Start taking money out of the local retailers kitty and they're gonna ask "Why...?"
We just need to tell'em... "You don't sell American... and we WANT TO BUY American..."
Do that enough... (read: More than zero % and as damn close to 100% as is possible)
We can affect turn around... And I do believe that this could cause the elimination of NAFTA and WTO as well....
I want a new DVD player. Wifi enabled so I can stream Netflix and Pandora radio. Is it possible to find a U.S. made one?
DO some research...
"Google" The description along with "USA Made".... check out the hits you get.
Here are two web sites dedicated to providing that very information....
http://americansworking.com/
http://www.madeinusa.org/
It's possible, but electronics are almost ALL made outside the USA... sadly.
http://www.wmur.com/r/27242728/detail.html
[:(]
(coins maybe?)
[}:)]
Allen
But which one of you check where that product is actually made?
When was the last time you actually took the time to seek out products made in America?
Last week the wire frame of my glasses broke by the nose piece ... I had a new perscription and went to get new ones ... I was appaled at the prices and looked to see where they were made ... I looked and asked and not a single set of frames were Made in USA. I looked at 2 other shops at the mall and none were US made [V]
? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
Too old to live...too young to die...
=====================================================================
As to "Buy in the USA", I agree in principle, but I'm also practical. I just last week had to replace the major steering and drive components on my truck. Here's the problem I found:
Rear brake rotors... Supposedly USA made with a 1 yr. warranty listed for $250+ each. Precision (USA name made in China with a 2 yr. warranty) went for a bit under $100 each. Not a technological breakthrough to cast and mill gray iron, especially with automated equipment. How does one justify getting less for more? I know I can't.
Steering linkages and bearings... OEM is over twice the price of competition with virtually no warranty. Precision (Again Chinese made) gives a lifetime warranty. Sadly we found that the replacement components were obviously better made than the OEM junk we removed. Seals were better, finish was better, and the hardware was better. Sad!
Ball joints... Moog. I was so sick of seeing "Made in China" that I didn't even bother to investigate. They fit well and the truck aligned without a problem. And they were greasable! Better shop around though as the price for exactly the same components ranged from $50.00 to $100.00 each. And we needed a total of four!
Front axle U-joints... Pretty much the same thing as above. We noted bronze seals versus rubber. They fit, they were available, and we needed them asap. My feeling is that wherever they were made they are better than came on the vehicle.
OEM Dust Shields... Available through MoPar. Exactly the same as came on the truck and since American Axle is actually GM, I suspect interchangeable at some level. Bare untreated steel guaranteed to rust and go away. Junk to begin with and really junk after a season or so in the northeast. Over $20.00 each for a piece of stamped unfinished metal! For what it's worth we powder coated them before the install.
So here's the sad truth... In this world economy it only makes sense to buy the best quality possible at the lowest cost offered. While I'd sooner pay a CNC operator to mill rotors here in the US, I can't do it when his product carries half the warranty at over twice the price. Same with steering links and other components especially when I suspect OEM components aren't domestic.
Sooner or later we'll learn this lesson. Either union labor (and US labor in general) will have to step up and produce quality that justifies the price or face some unpleasant alternatives.
1. Build comparable products at competitive prices for reduced compensation. That, or work more efficiently.
2. Continue to build products that price themselves out of the market and eventually work right out of employment.
3. Allow our dollar and our economy, and thus our standard of living, to sink to unimaginable lows. Once done even the lowliest laborer could likely demand and get $100.00 per hour. One hundred WORTHLESS dollars that would purchase less than would ten dollars today!
Just don't plan on paying for anything with cash!
http://www.wmur.com/r/27242728/detail.html
[:(]
(coins maybe?)
[}:)]
Allen
I hear... Copper coins is the NEW American Currency...
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=547559
Are there any Made In The USA computers?
Sadly... I doubt it.
And ALL of our manufacturing is going in this same direction.
IF... We as a people, don't soon wake up and see what's happening...
This once great nation of the USA is gonna be a third world nation.
AND... China, Mexico, India, Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, etc...
Is gonna be looking DOWN upon us as less than we are...
We're gonna be looking for work abroad and hoping to get it... THERE.
Because these people will learn from our mistakes and NOT out-source their jobs to the USA!!!
How's y'alls Chinese...? You'll need to communicate during the job interviews...
Barzilla... Wrong! IBM PC is now a Lenovo which is proudly made in the Peoples Paradise of China. Few if any components inside any PC are made in the USA. Get used to it. Usually engineered here and built there. (At least the processor.)
=====================================================================
As to "Buy in the USA", I agree in principle, but I'm also practical. I just last week had to replace the major steering and drive components on my truck. Here's the problem I found:
Rear brake rotors... Supposedly USA made with a 1 yr. warranty listed for $250+ each. Precision (USA name made in China with a 2 yr. warranty) went for a bit under $100 each. Not a technological breakthrough to cast and mill gray iron, especially with automated equipment. How does one justify getting less for more? I know I can't.
Steering linkages and bearings... OEM is over twice the price of competition with virtually no warranty. Precision (Again Chinese made) gives a lifetime warranty. Sadly we found that the replacement components were obviously better made than the OEM junk we removed. Seals were better, finish was better, and the hardware was better. Sad!
Ball joints... Moog. I was so sick of seeing "Made in China" that I didn't even bother to investigate. They fit well and the truck aligned without a problem. And they were greasable! Better shop around though as the price for exactly the same components ranged from $50.00 to $100.00 each. And we needed a total of four!
Front axle U-joints... Pretty much the same thing as above. We noted bronze seals versus rubber. They fit, they were available, and we needed them asap. My feeling is that wherever they were made they are better than came on the vehicle.
OEM Dust Shields... Available through MoPar. Exactly the same as came on the truck and since American Axle is actually GM, I suspect interchangeable at some level. Bare untreated steel guaranteed to rust and go away. Junk to begin with and really junk after a season or so in the northeast. Over $20.00 each for a piece of stamped unfinished metal! For what it's worth we powder coated them before the install.
So here's the sad truth... In this world economy it only makes sense to buy the best quality possible at the lowest cost offered. While I'd sooner pay a CNC operator to mill rotors here in the US, I can't do it when his product carries half the warranty at over twice the price. Same with steering links and other components especially when I suspect OEM components aren't domestic.
Sooner or later we'll learn this lesson. Either union labor (and US labor in general) will have to step up and produce quality that justifies the price or face some unpleasant alternatives.
1. Build comparable products at competitive prices for reduced compensation. That, or work more efficiently.
2. Continue to build products that price themselves out of the market and eventually work right out of employment.
3. Allow our dollar and our economy, and thus our standard of living, to sink to unimaginable lows. Once done even the lowliest laborer could likely demand and get $100.00 per hour. One hundred WORTHLESS dollars that would purchase less than would ten dollars today!
Some pretty sad... but TRUE points made there Nord... [V]
Robert, I try to buy American whenever possible, but as others have said,.......it isn't possible to do 100% of the time.
Yes I know... But... And say this with an open mind...
But... Hopefully, we'll get change we can live with... HERE... In the USA.
If we try... to light that spark and cause that DAMN FOREST FIRE!
At least I can still hope....
In the mean time... I'm looking into language and seeing what appeals to me more...
Chinese... Or something a little more Continental....[V]