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"Made in America" - Do you care?

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Started 3 months ago by Twixlen
Latest reply from James

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Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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I just got an email from my car-shopping Mom on her next vehicle purchase. She discussed it also with my brother, who made her feel badly about her current favorite (a Toyota), because he says she should be buying American made vehicles, to save American jobs.

Obviously - there are a thousand issues going on right there. The least of which is that all families are nuts.

But it makes me think - do you pay attention to where the things you purchase are made? Would you *not* purchase something because you couldn't find it made in the U.S.? Or, would you buy something of potentially inferior quality, in order to support the "made in the U.S.A" label?

Posted 3 months ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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There are times when I check the labels... specifically, when the whole Abramoff/DeLay scandal happened, a component of it involved the Northern Mariana Islands, and the sweatshops there. Items could be labeled with "Made in the U.S.A.", but were technically made there, where our labor laws weren't in force - women were essentially enslaved, and there was human trafficking, prostitution, child labor, and lots of other terrible stuff going on.

I notice on Amazon reviews, there's often someone who's either thrilled to have found something made in the U.S., or is utterly pissed because they item they bought turns out to have been made in China.

Posted 3 months ago #
bman
New Albany
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I buy the best quality I can afford. Toyota and Honda employ thousands so that is never an issue for me.

Posted 3 months ago #
cheap
Westgate
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Toyotas are American built(some of them)

Americans love Chinese goods

they won't pay $250 for an American made Barbie doll.

as for me,i buy German sanding materials for my work because they are better than 3M.

Posted 3 months ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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I appreciate "Made in America" but don't seek it out.

Posted 3 months ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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I find it important to check on where it’s made is when it really matters. So anything my son or I are going to eat with the china word is on the hit list this also applies to anything that could affect our quality of life. It is important since China has made it pretty dam clear that poisoning our shit is really not that important or a large concern of theirs.

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Made in Columbus > Made in Ohio > Made in The US > Made Anywhere Else

That being said, I don't always check the labels, and quality and convenience can trump anything else.

I think many people will pay a little more (but not a lot more) for something made in the US as long as it's easy to do and the quality is good.

For a lot of purchases though, it's fuzzy and/or impossible. Where do you buy a TV made entirely in the US? Or a computer?

Posted 3 months ago #
rus

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Snarf said:
I appreciate "Made in America" but don't seek it out.

Pretty much that.

Posted 3 months ago #
Pablo
Crestview Addition
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From last year: Report: The two 'most American' cars are Japanese

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/ranking-the-two-most-american-cars-are-from-japanese-makers/1

Posted 3 months ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Walker said:
Made in Columbus > Made in Ohio > Made in The US > Made Anywhere Else

That being said, I don't always check the labels, and quality and convenience can trump anything else.

I think many people will pay a little more (but not a lot more) for something made in the US as long as it's easy to do and the quality is good.

For a lot of purchases though, it's fuzzy and/or impossible. Where do you buy a TV made entirely in the US? Or a computer?

I also shoot for hyper-local on some things.... and agree about the electronics thing. Even if something made out of so many components says it's made in the US, that doesn't mean all its parts where.

It's the same with cars, right? Even if something is billed as "Made in the U.S." - all that means is the final assembly happened here. Same situation with a lot of furniture manufacturing as well.

Posted 3 months ago #
SJT

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My other half& I have played a little game called "find something on this table made in USA". It is quite depressing. You might find one thing out of 8 that was made here since we just do not make very many things anymore. That being said- yes I try to buy things made in this country as much as I can. Every car I have ever owned has been American made probably due to the early advice of my father& my experience working at Goodyear where the mechanics all advised me(a 22 year old gal at that time) to buy an American car as well because they are "easier to work on& the parts are less expensive". The only NEW vehicle I ever purchased was a 1994 Chevy Cavalier& it just went to the junkyard last year. Granted, I drive less than 7,00 miles a year, I still found it to be an excellent& very reliable car.

Posted 3 months ago #
LBDD

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I especially don't get the Made in Amarica bias when it comes to cars. My Accord was assembled in Marysville. The engine was built in Anna, Oh. The AC was built in Mt. Sterling OH. I think the seats were made in Canal Winchester. Forget about American made, you could argue that Honda's are Ohio-made

Posted 3 months ago #
Roland
Clintonville
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What does Made in America even mean anymore? It was easier when you could pick up a simple thing and read those words, but it just doesn't apply any more. Is it even beneficial to the U.S. at large?

One hand you have American companies where jobs are lost because it's built out of country? or majority of parts produced out of country?

Other hand you have foreign companies who brings jobs to the U.S. in ways of assembly, service, sales, etc.?

I think buying a car from anyone is good for America, no matter who makes it. It's serviced and supported by Americans. So buy whatever suits you best.

Information on part origin percentages are available as well.

Posted 3 months ago #
christylwilliams
Olde Towne East
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Buying only made in America was my New Years Resolution a couple years ago, and the only one I've ever stuck with long-term. I check every label, every item, every time.

It takes me forever to finish my Christmas shopping.

If I can't find it Made in USA (like shoes or electronics), I'll either buy them used or refurbished from a local company.

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Roland said:
What does Made in America even mean anymore?

I drink HFCS by the gallon. Because it's Made in America. ;) End our dependency on foreign sugar!

Posted 3 months ago #
shmack

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misskitty said:
It is important since China has made it pretty dam clear that poisoning our shit is really not that important or a large concern of theirs.

No one is trying to poison you or me. There are plenty of well made, well regulated, high quality, food stuffs being exported out of China. In the same vein, the US is trying to export pork laden with hormones banned in the EU and China. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paula-crossfield/controversial-animal-drug_b_1230713.html)

All too often the flip side of the "Made in the USA" discussion is the "Made in China" argument. Quite frankly, I like my European chocolates, pine nuts, and olive oils; Japanese candies, snacks, and condiments; my local produce and milk; my American cosmetics and skin care products; my electronics designed in Cupertino (or Japan, Korea, or wherever) and assembled in China.

The whole Made in America "bias" is just xenophobia and frustrations over a declining US economy. I'd like to see more high-tech manufacturing jobs return to the US but we're also really good at research, innovation, and creativity. We need to develop those sectors of our economy so we can continue to be competitive globally.

Posted 3 months ago #
Anne
King Lincoln
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I enjoy some things made in America, but I most certainly love a lot of things that come from Japan. :) too cute!

Posted 3 months ago #
Pickerington_Kyle

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My 1999 Honda Accord LX was made in the Marysville plant. I was having an argument with one of my friends, that my Honda was more American than his Ford Truck, because my Honda was 75 percent assembled at that plant, and my transmission was made in Canada. So.. you could say I have a "Columbus Metro" oriented car.

Posted 3 months ago #
Roland
Clintonville
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Walker said:
I drink HFCS by the gallon. Because it's Made in America. ;) End our dependency on foreign sugar!

Duuuude! Pepsi Throwback! :D

Posted 3 months ago #
Porky
C-Bus' East Side
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Pickerington_Kyle said:
My 1999 Honda Accord LX was made in the Marysville plant. I was having an argument with one of my friends, that my Honda was more American than his Ford Truck, because my Honda was 75 percent assembled at that plant, and my transmission was made in Canada. So.. you could say I have a "Columbus Metro" oriented car.

But where do the profits go for all those foreign made cars? Yes a good majority of the parts may be made and or assembled in the US but the profits from the sale of those cars still goes abroad. So it more than just where it was made it's who's getting the profit?
And yes I do seek out Made in America, sadly it's harder and harder to find.

Posted 3 months ago #