Buying and the economy

[Ed62]

Just wondering in times like this, are you more apt to buy cheaper imports because of the price, or are you more apt to buy American made to help our economy?

Ed

[jackellis]

Man that's a tough one. I don't think we look at country of origin. Instead, we look for value, by which I mean good quality at a good price. We're building a house right now and as a result, we're employing three carpenters and their helper, the builder, plumbers, electricians, painters, concrete and excavation firms. Our cabinets are being built by a company somewhere in the midwest who builds thousands every month. The furniture is mostly recycled Ethan Allen (meaning it was bought on eBay or craigslist). Lights will probably come from a lighting store instead of a big box.

I just bought a new Toyota Tacoma that was built in California.

[Pappy]

As in any other situation, I will buy what fits my needs best and gives me the best bang for my bucks. If an import item is of good quality and fills my needs as well as the comparable American made product at a much better price, it would have to be my choice. For example, I couldn't justify spending $600- $700 on Milwaukee Li-Ion tools when the Ryobi set for $300 does everything I need.

[Ed62]

Yeah, it's a tough call. Even buying imports helps our economy because it takes a lot of people to get the product from the ports to the stores. But then you might consider our manufacturers having to hire more employees if we buy American made, which would also mean them buying more of our plastics, steel, glass, etc. But if you don't have a job.........

Ed

[jackellis]

It's true that a lot of jobs have moved overseas where labor is cheaper. They've been replaced with other jobs - some in fast food joints but lots more that make it possible to import products from abroad, and others in industries that didn't exist a few years ago. It's tough for folks that don't have much education because the high paying jobs require at least some.

The work I do can't be outsourced, at least not yet. There are plenty of people living in places like India and Eastern Europe who have the skills to do what I do, but they're not close to the customers and it would take them a long time to learn what they'd need to. The only way I'm going to avoid being replaced is to get smarter, keep educating myself, and stay close to customers.

A lot of people were put out of work as economies all over the world made the transition from being primarily agricultural to manufacturing. Now its happening as we go from manufacturing to knowledge-based industries. Folks will adapt in spite of the anxiety and pain. It's the ability to adapt that's made us what we are.

[LCHIEN]

we do live in a global economy now, its a very complicated situation.
I usually look for best value. All things equal, I'd buy american. But, there's not always a lot of choice.
I think even american made items may have some foreign content.
And Foreign made items use american tooling.

[ironhat]

Hmmm, buy foreign for price, buy American for loyalty and support or stop buying. I'm pretty well ensconced in #3. I haven't worked since Dec 08 and it now looks like another month of cardiac rehab before I do. Funny how the disability insurance companies haven't dropped a dime in my pocket, yet!

[OpaDC]

Was just reading an article the other day (wish I could find it again) that stated that there are many products "Made in America". The problem is, we make many high end products, not for the average consumer, such as parts for plants and manufacturing. Unless you do research before you buy, which can be very time consuming, it's very difficult to figure out what is made in America. Google "American made products" and you can find some resources.

Personally, I look at what I am getting for my money. If a product is not any good I won't buy it just to be patriotic. That being said, I am in the market for a new car and am looking American first. I would not have done this in the 80's because they were garbage. Poorly made and ugly. We drive a '96 Grand Prix right now that we bought new and it has been very good. (Was a blast driving it around Europe when I worked there, especially Poland. Was literally a conversation stopper when we drove by. ) But I have no problems buying a Honda, Nissan, etc.

[herb fellows]

I manage artists for a living these days. I have a glass artist in Shanghai that came over to visit last year.
She was so excited to go shopping, to bring back 'American' products to her friends and family.
Virtually everything she looked at in stores had the 'made in China' sticker on it. She was so dissapointed.
The way we got around it was to go to a couple of craft shows. With few exceptions, manufacturing of consumer goods in America is non-existent.

Personally, I buy for value and my needs at the time. I would not buy a $200 sander that I will use only a few times; I also will not buy a $35 router that among other things, might be dangerous to use.

[khf314]

Reminds me of an article I read ~ 20 years ago.

It seems that some city council passed a ordinance that all city vehicles purchased had to be made in the USA.

All the pickups made by the Big 3 at that time were manufactured in Canada. The only pickup they could find that was manufactured in the USA was a.......Volkswagen!

[Uncle Cracker]

I try to buy what best suits my need. Origin of manufacture may or may not figure into it. If all else is equal, I try to buy American, but not at the expense of my personal need. There are still a lot of Americans engaged in the import, transport, and distribution of foreign goods. They need to keep their jobs, too.

[jhgrady]

Pappy:

"Ryobi is owned by Techtronic Industries(TTI), the same company that owns Milwaukee"

Sad but true. Its hard to "Buy American"

John

[leehljp]

I buy based on what I need and if the product will do that. IF a HF will do, I will get it; If I need something tougher, I wait until I can afford that and will do it.

There are a few Japanese products that I like but I will usually get them in the States because they are cheaper in price there - for the same product that is offered here.

As to most foods, of course I buy locally but when I get the chance - I head to Costco in Osaka (3 hour drive) and get an ice chest of USA meats (mostly beef) and cold cuts, along with some USA dried fruits, nuts, cereals and household items - beside they are cheaper than the Japanese counter-parts.

[BobSch]

Let's see: Buy a Ford made in Canada or Mexico or a Subaru made in Kentucky. Which is American?

[cgallery]

I try to buy locally as much as possible. So the closer to me that a product is manufactured, the better. But this is increasingly difficult to do.

I have often been surprised to find items were manufactured in the USA even though the packaging makes no mention of this. I think many USA-based manufacturers drop the ball on this, as it is an easy way to increase sales. And every little bit helps.