I was in Target and noticed, coincidentally, that everything I looked at was ‘made in China’.
It started as a little fun thing so I started looking around the store to see if I could find anything not from China. To my amazement, I could not.
I asked to speak to a manager and asked if there was anything in the store not made in China? His answer, “Not that I know of.”
This all happened 10 years ago. It’s much worse now.
All our manufacturing power has been shipped to various countries all over the world to “spread the wealth around”. Now we have nothing and the Bush clan was just as bad as the Liberals.
I was sitting here nibbling on some orange thin mints as I read this thread. I just had to look. Nice little American flag on the back of the box. Under it: “Manufactured by Zachary Confections, Inc. A family owned American company. Frankfort, Ind.” I shall buy more from this “family owned American company.”
As a general rule, if it’s inexpensive (and some cases even if it’s not), it’s probably made in China. China has become the world’s factory. My Italian friends have the same complaint.
Whether the product is a pair of scissors or a high-end alpine parka or a nice sofa, it’s probably not made in the US. On a recent visit to Cabela’s, I was looking for new camo waders; every pair was made in China except one pair made in Taiwan (not my size). My Barcalounger recliner was made in the USA but when I was looking for a matching sofa at Bloomingdale’s and Crate and Barrel, they were all made in China.
Quite frankly I’m ready to give up. For years, I have spent much more money to buy American from companies like Filson, Barcalounger, All-Clad and Diamond Gusset Jeans and each year there are fewer companies from whom to “buy American.”
This has less to do with government than simple economics. Nobody wants to pay top dollar for anything so many companies make their products as inexpensively as possible. For instance, a friend used to manufacture children’s clothing in L.A. As labor costs went up so did his rent and insurance. Many of his customers (children’s specialty shops and local retailers) didn’t want to pay for the increases so he moved production to Hong Kong, where he hired a person to check on production and quality on a regular basis. Even with the cost of the new hire added to his production and shipping costs, he was still able to deliver to the shops based on the previous year’s wholesale price points.
Because we (end consumers and retail shops) are always looking for a bargain, the manufacturers need to meet the price expectation and look for cheaper and cheaper manufacturing. It’s one of the only areas the companies have control over since fixed costs like insurance and labor, as well as taxes, continue to rise.
what to do?...visit local orchards, local craft bazaars, etc for home grown and home made goods....
as for apple juice, it absolutely stinks and if you don't believe that, go get yourself a freshly pressed glass of cider at a local mill.....
btw....you can make your own jerky, your own sausage, your own wine and beer, and your own canned juice etc.......
we don't need all the China crap....
Ace combs were made of rubber and made in the USA. They had an American flag on the front. I went back to the store about 6 months ago and NO rubber, NO USA flag. I contacted the company and they said they had sent production to China and dumped the rubber.
I noticed Hallmark cards were looking crumby when I needed one for a wedding. I contacted them and found out they send the art work to China and the home office people review their work, which isn’t great. I think they do printing overseas too.
I’m sick of it.
I can’t buy a good toaster either. Everyone is complaining about their crappy appliances. I need a stove....forgettaboutit.