Buying made in America vs. China

[rfuerst911sc]

Just a simple observation on two simple purchases .

1. Was looking for a double DIN radio for my 2001 pickup . I could not find any made in the US . I thought the Boss brand was made here but it is just based in the US the radios are made in China . I ended up buying a made in China Android based for $75.00 shipped to my door .

2. Needed a spare tire carrier for the boat trailer . Did some online searching and found lots of made in China stuff in the $15.00-$25.00 range . Most reviews were poor stating crappy welds and cheap/faulty mounting hardware . Then came across a Rigid # RHSC-20 . Made in the US in Minnesota . Price was $30.00 shipped to my door . Online reviews were stellar .

Really nothing scientific here just two observations . But I liked the idea of buying the made in US tire carrier and the price difference wasn't that much in my opinion . We can compete with anyone when we want to . It may not be dollar to dollar but I am willing to pay for quality . It will be interesting to see if the mindset of US consumers will start demanding more made in USA ............. or are we hooked on cheap crap ? Thoughts

[ed317]

Problem is people buy price first. look at how the Walmarts and big box stores of the world have grown while killing small well run businesses........
try to get good advice at Home Depot vs a small hardware store....you pay a little more but you get directed to buy the right part.......problem now is finding a good old hardware store

[rfuerst911sc]

Obviously you only have X amount of $$$ in your wallet and everyone's situation is different . For example my wife and I are retired so we have a fixed amount of $$$ to play with each week/month . But I prefer to buy American when I can .

We live in a small town and have several good hardware stores . I generally check them first before heading to the box stores . We have a HD and Walmart and that's it everything else is more mom and pop . We like it that way .

[RNajarian]

I learned the hard way. Back when I had my Boxster I would replace my brake pads when they became worn. I’ve got nice quality tools for important jobs and disposable tools (Harbor Freight) for less critical jobs (hanging pictures, replacing batteries in my kid’s toys etc. . . )

As I was using my Snap On Ratcheting wrench and socket to remove the caliber I heard a loud pop and something beaned me square in the forehead. The extension broke. Stupid me wasn’t wearing my safety glasses.

Naturally I was upset my Snap On tools failed me on a simple operation but upon further examination it appeared a cheap Harbor Freight extension somehow got mixed in with my tools.

Now I check my tools more carefully. The sticky at the top of most Pelican Parts forums warning us of the Harbor Freight Jack Stand recall is also a reminder.

[KFC911]

When Sam Walton ran Walmart, they thrived and boomed, with lots of "Made in the USA" offerings imo. But squeezing costs in order to maximize profits starts with the "owners", and the customers fall in line given the choice....jmho. The customers don't drive the bus(iness) imo....the owners do. Make the owners public (share holders), and management does what secures their jobs and bonuses. There is no finer example than the local furnuture industry which I watched disappear over my lifetime. Very profitable....just not profitable "enough" for the big boyz .

It has become the American way.... but now imported.

I'll pay more for quality.... within reason.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by ed317

...try to get good advice at Home Depot vs a small hardware store....you pay a little more but you get directed to buy the right part...problem now is finding a good old hardware store

The local Ace Hardware store is incredibly well run and stocked...and I have dealt with the floor staff for decades.

I had a discussion with the owner last week about A v C. He said they are going to take a risk and source from US manufacturers while continuing to buy Chinese made. He will advertise with placards the item is American made.

If the demand for US products is real, he'll continue.

We became friends five or so years ago when I went to the Help Desk at the back of the store and wanted to talk to the manager about an employee.

"No manager, but I can help...I own the store"

I complimented him on the young man who had gone out of his way to help me identify about 10 different bolts, washers and nuts (different hardening, lengths and sizes). Anyone who has stared at the "wall" of fiddly bits knows what I am tlaking about.

We chatted for a bit and then started telling Sea Stories. Former Navy Chief, old school like you read about.

As a consumer, you have to ask.

[cabmandone]

Electronics are a hard thing to come by made in the USA. Kinda sad really when I think about the Kenwood, Alpine, and Pioneer stuff I bought over the years.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The only thing that’s going to “fix” this problem is a radical change in how we think and what our priorities are as a society. We are trained from birth to think in terms of consumption… “More is better”, “bigger is better”, etc.

A large part of our economy is built on sales, getting people to spend their money on things whether or not they need them and ideally getting them to spend it multiple times because things are designed to have a very limited life span (engineered obsolescence).

We necessarily need to think in terms of buying things for the long haul, and only what we actually need. That’s a radical departure and more like the European model where purchases seem to be more thoughtfully made and with an eye more towards quality - everything is expensive and this forces more deliberate choices.

Will it ever catch on here? I don’t know. I’d like to think so but there are an awful lot of people that seem unable to break themselves of the Walmart / Costco / Sam’s Club mindset - more, more, more and bigger, bigger, bigger.

We have ridiculously large houses, vehicles and spending habits and to contract to something more sustainable and sensible will cut against the grain of that entrenched way of thinking that won’t come easily (or at all) for many - “it’s mah gawd-damn right to own a 32’ fishin’ boat and pickup that gets 8mpg and a 3,500 sq. ft. house”. And that’s not necessarily wrong - it SHOULD be up to them. The hope is people will say, “nah... I’m good... pass” on their own and / or say “if I get that, how long will it last for and how much will I really enjoy or benefit from it?”, not just “go git it cause the box in the living room tells me I need it”.

We need to demand better quality - and be willing to pay more for it. Is it better to spend “X” and get something that lasts 5 years or 1.5X to get something that lasts 10? Depends on the item but that thought process is likely totally absent from most purchases, leading inevitably to the creation of China-made, throwaway junk.

[pwd72s]

I'm hoping we'll see more and more "made in the USA" as time passes. Recent events suggest the trend is there.

[varmint]

Christmas shopping, I discovered the only things still American made are puppies and guns.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by varmint

Christmas shopping, I discovered the only things still American made are puppies and guns.

Don't be so damn gloomy. We make fantastic meth as well.

[KFC911]

Recently saw an ad on TV....

"Shipped from a warehouse in the USA!"

I know quality so I ordered three of 'em ....

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Warehouse was likely built from Chinese building materials. It’s a huge problem.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I'm hoping we'll see more and more "made in the USA" as time passes. Recent events suggest the trend is there.

When this passes, we will settle back to our old ways. We're used to our old way or pricing structure so its hard to break that frame of mind.

[look 171]

Just because its made in the USA, it doesn't always mean its better.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

If you are (me) are dealing with parts requiring tolerance and better steel , china just sucks .

For the most part, yes. Many of us forgotten that they too have a domestic and an import industry that also requires tight tolerances and better steel. I have said this again and again, those diesel trains that run across the Gobi day after day in very harsh environments. They seem to do just fine. Now, just look at their high speed trains. They are world class, safe, fast and damn comfortable but they will never make it too our shores. I am like most of you, I refuse to buy Chinese plumbing fixtures in my client's home. Its German, Swizz, US or Japanese. Not worth is IMO to have to go back and do it again due to parts failing but I have to give credit where credit is due. I was yapping with a Mechanic from Ohio on the Yangtze River cruise. we were both amazed at the quality of their high speed trains. We both agreed before going over for vacation that China was this third world country, dirty, sub-western standard with very low quality products all over the place. Some of it is very true, but we were both very surprise at many of the quality things throughout China.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Don't be so damn gloomy. We make fantastic meth as well.

They're taking that over as well https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/executive_briefings/ebot_george_serletis_fentanyl_from_china_pdf.pdf

[rfuerst911sc]

This is a good discussion with some very valid points . I agree just because something is made in the US doesn't guarantee quality . A manufacturer has many balls to juggle . The product/s you make have to fill a niche , be affordable and meet some level of quality .

In theory as items get more expensive they get better quality obviously not always true . Today you can buy a 40" flat screen TV for 300.00 or less . It will last 5-6 years maybe more . If the same TV was built in the US and was 500.00 and would last 10 years or more how many would buy them ?

I just made those numbers up for the conversation but it's the scenario we are talking about . In the TV scenario it would be easy to say I will take a chance on the cheaper to enjoy for 5 years . Won't repair it when it croaks will just buy another . I am not sure what I would purchase .

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Guess where most fentanyl comes from...

[steve185]

I wanted a new propane range for my camp. Because I am Canadian I look to buy North American. Did a little research online and found Premier ranges built in the USA. Called the company and found a local dealer. Price was comparable to chinese stuff, the reviews for the Premier were much better.
Time to bring our manufacturing back to North America.