The Public Opinion Soapbox

raynsandy · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I was looking for a pair of work boots the other day and was amazed at the name brands that are made in China. I decided I would only purchase an American made pair of boots because Ive had it with everything being imported. One of the local big name stores had only one style of boot made in the USA and unfortunately I didnt like it. Everything else was made accross the ocean. Everything including my favorite sneakers, Chuck Taylors made by Converse are all being made in China.
My wife and I went to 4 different stores and they All were in the same boat, MIC.
Perhaps the folks here in the US had better wake up and stop buying the cheapest overseas made stuff, because now we are losing more and more places of manufacturing here as a result of wanting more for less money.
Cheaper isnt always better.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3064 Location: Chambersburg

A product that is 100% Made in the USA is quite a rare find, indeed. It isn't easy to do, but good luck.

Here is a website that will help you in your quest.

http://www.buyamerican.com/

Be careful that you are not fooled by products that are packaged in the USA or by one of the paper/cardboard companies that stamps their product as 'Made in the USA' (which it is) and then is used to envelop foreign materials.

You should also be aware that a certain percentage of components is all that is required to label something as a US product, so labeling can be misleading in this way.

And keep in mind that several 'foreign' companies now have American bases and employee American workers. (e.g. Subaru, Toyota, BMW, off the top of my head) Just as many 'American' companies complete some assembly in the states and other processes on foreign soil. For example, my mother-in-law works for Rex-Air (they make the Rainbow vacuums, which rock, BTW) They were based in Michigan, but were taken over a few years ago. The plant is still there, still full of American workers, but some of the initial assembly is now done in Canada.

Rather than exhaust themselves trying to find a 100% American product, many people compromise by trying to decide what they are willing to accept in 'non-native' material.

Personally, I try to avoid products made in China. I'm not always successful, but I do try.
When making even minor purchases one of the factors I consider is the standards of manufacture the country has, another factor is the political leanings of that country's government.
One of the most important considerations for me is how the U.S. branch of the company treats it employees...Are the benefits and pay competitive or are employees treated like chattel? What charitable organizations does the company support? What are their policies on conservation?

But those are my methods, I'm sure you will develop your own.
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Nevermind.

Torgo · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

After I went to buy my latest pair of Doc Martens boots (hi Cookie!) I was stunned to discover they, too, are now made in China.

Interesting story there, however. It appears when the company made the move (I think it was around 2003), it basically disowned a collective of English bootmakers who had all been making the boots for the Doc Martens.

So when it offshored, each of these small affiliates basically started marketing their own versions of the Doc Marten brand. They all have different names, but are basically the same boot, only made in England as it should be. You can find them online, but have to order them from overseas now.

I bought the Chinese Doc Martens anyway. In fact, I bought them before I realized they were Chinese. I mean, unless you heard specifically, which I hadn't, who would ever think your next pair of Docs would not be English? They're still a quality boot but definitely fit differently than I remember.
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"The Master would not approve..."

Torgo · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject:

Here's something still made in America:

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0100100808
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"The Master would not approve..."

Laughing Man · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 497 Location: Earth

yeah my chuch taylors are made in China, but they still kick arse(sometimes literally).

crap made in foreign countires doesn't bother me much. I mean I import stuff from the U.K. and japan all the time
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"Nothing is more precious to me than the smile of a child"- Joseph Stalin

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2181 Location: shippensburg

Dragas · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 134 Location: Waynesboro, PA

I cant fathom wearing boots everyday ! I have to have sandals on or else I go nuts ... only in the DEEP snow will I put on boots ... Shallow snow gets clogs ...

raynsandy · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

everyday? now add 10 miles on concrete, walking next to a screaming hot molten iron carrier and you basically have my job description. Brutal to say the least.
I dont mind purchasing things made in other countries, but when you cant seem to find something made here, there is a problem.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3064 Location: Chambersburg

you need www.zappos.com ...and a handshake for doing what sounds like a hardcore job.

I'd give you more, but I'm kinda cheap. Very Happy

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Nevermind.

Torgo · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

These boots are still made in America. Not really great for work, but I still want a pair...

http://www.fryeboots.com/subpages/catalog-detail.asp?sn=87402&fcp=catalog.asp?cat=CLASSICS@sty=@gen=0@goToPage=2
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"The Master would not approve..."

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2181 Location: shippensburg

i have the boots and oxfords...i wear the oxfords everyday (except weekends...then it's flip flops...well in this weather at least)....i also like dansko closed back clogs.

and shoes that hurt my feet and have very high heels. SIGH.

hence, the oxfords.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2607 Location: Chambersburg

Lead Paint... Delicious but Deadly!

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2181 Location: shippensburg

it's always the things that are bad for us that are so tasty (oh, mountain dew....you mock me!!!!)

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3064 Location: Chambersburg

Frye rocks. I love Frye.
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Nevermind.

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2181 Location: shippensburg

the shoes?

hum. maybe they'd be a good summer replacement to my oxfords.