Making a Stand

blue gecko · 07-01-2012, 08:22 AM

I know that not turning off the valve was our fault but that cheap foriegn produced hose nozzle failed and we'll be paying for wasted water. We've made a decision. If its not US made we're not buying it! Manufacturers that send jobs overseas are NOT looking out for our best interest. They're looking for profit at our expense. I'm not buying it. I'm tired of spending wasted money on cheap crap just to make some AMERICAN business men more money. I'm going to vote with my pocketbook. Its a quiet protest but effective. Ghandi did it, I can do it. If its not homespun I'm not buying it, I'm not eating it, I'm not wearing it, I'm not putting it in my house, I'm not going to put it in my car, I'm done! I'm sick and tired of this. If it means I have to do without, sell my car, wear rags..I am NOT going to support any economy other that whats supported by American industry and workers. I'm also not going to vote for anyone who thinks its important to support foriegn interests. We've got plenty enough trouble here at home. The future looks bad enough as it is and if we don't start taking care of each other right here, right now we are just as guilty as politicians, manufacturers, banks and any other greedy gold diggers that make a buck off of hard working people. I challenge you one and all. Get off your foreign made easy chair and make a stand against this BS. Live a simpler life without blinders. Live free and support your fellow Americans.

MaxTheKnife · 07-01-2012, 10:22 AM

I'll fess up here. I was the one who forgot to turn off the faucet. I was in a hurry and that's what happens when you're in a hurry. Anyway, if that spray nozzle had been better quality the water would never have been wasted. I think we caught it a few hours after it busted. The ground is so dry it won't soak it up right away and there was still water running down the hill on top of the dry ground when we found it.

We've had that particular spray nozzle for a year or so now. But when it shelled out it was toast! Nothing left to fix or use because of the way it was manufactured. A few weeks ago we bought a simple watering wand with a ball valve to turn the water on and off. It was $10 at Lowe's. Well, day before yesterday, the cheap plastic connection to the ball valve gave up and the valve quit working. I thought we had lost pressure from the main line. But it turns out that the valve just stopped turning because of the cheap way it was manufactured. The wand is still fine and is the best garden watering device I think I've ever used. But we'll now have to find a better quality ball valve so we can use the wand. Oh, I've got it cobbed together well enough to work for now. But I know its going to fail with regular use.

The whole point of this thread is that you get what you pay for. Why buy cheap crap that WILL fail when you know there's better stuff out there? The word is lazy. We all get a little lazy now and then. But here's the deal. If you buy something at Wal-Mart, you're getting cheap Chinese crap most of the time. It's not made to last. It's just made to satisfy a niche in the cheap assed American marketplace and that's just what it does. Lowe's is the same way. So are most of the huge corporate stores like Home Depot and the rest. They all buy from the lowest bidder and we get what is on the shelves. Like BG said earlier, I'd rather do without than buy crap anymore. We hardly EVER shop at Wally World. It's like garlic to a vampire. We'd both rather take a beating than even set foot inside that insane assylum. We do occasionally shop at K-Mart. But even there you have to be alert and read the labels.

So officially, BG and I are boycotting all Chinese products. Especially products that are produced in American owned facilities located outside of America. We don't need that crap and will no longer support that way of doing business. We know we'll have a few hard knocks and will have to do without some things. We don't care. I swear right here and now that I will never ever set foot in another Wal-Mart store ever again. I think BG will do the same. That's our story and we're sticking to it... Your mileage may vary.

blue gecko · 07-01-2012, 10:23 AM

The main thing I want to get across is its important to refuse to buy cheap junk. Its a scam to get your money time and time again as you rebuy the same old stuff. Every time you do that you support the industries and companies who count on your foolishness. The same thing goes for other institutions and businesses. If they have greedy intentions, don't use them. If they are known for unfair practices, don't support them. If they cater to or are funded by interests that support taking advantage of people DON'T VOTE FOR THEM. Get educated about this and share the information. Every single day you can vote with your pocket book. Change will follow the money. Its worked for them, it will work for us.

Tareesa · 07-01-2012, 04:18 PM

Unfortunately, so many products are ONLY made in china now. I really hate walmart too. We very rarely go there, usually just if we know the same item will be cheaper. But all the stores have cheap chinese junk now. It is so very frustrating. Seems like we have to replace the same things over and over.

Oh, and my big gripe is the people that make a big deal out of buying an american car. "Must have a ford!"...you mean that ford that they make in mexico, with chinese parts? Good going.

Although, I have to say: I bought a Made in USA skillet several years ago. It was so warped it would not sit flat, and therefore heat evenly, on our flat-top stove. So I spent more and it was unusable. But usually the made in US products are better.

blue gecko · 07-01-2012, 04:50 PM

There are still companies that make quality products out there and we need to seek them out and support them. Even if its NOT made in the USA. Swing-a-Way still makes a great can opener. I might have to order it because I can't find it locally but I'll be danged if I'm going to buy another poor quality can opener. Lodge still makes good cast iron, better yet rescue a good cast iron pan. If we can accumulate the info we can make better choices. Sites like this are useful:

http://madeinusaoreuro.blogspot.com/

http://madeinusaforever.com/

http://www.americansworking.com/

Sadly, more and more companies move out of the country because it costs so much to do business here. Its frustrating but they are competing with discount items, people who have been conditioned to buy cheap and red tape. Thats the part we can do something about. Look for quality, buy quality. Even if it means you buy something thats made somewhere else. Don't accept the undergrade stuff just because its cheap. Support good manufacturing practices where ever they are. That doesn't mean you have to go out and pay inflated prices just because its brand name says its good or its the "In" thing. Look for quality. Look for the kind of thing you could pass down to your kids. Look for old items that have stood the test of time. It doesn't have to be new but when you must buy new don't buy poorly made items. I'm just tired of buying things that I expect to be of good quality like say Fruit of the Loom undergarments only to have them fall apart in a few months because the elastic is shot. It makes me angry and I'm tired of the whole mess. We've been coerced into becoming a throw away society and it doesn't have to be that way. It takes some discipline to look closely at a product with a skeptical eye. If its got plastic parts it won't last. If the cast iron is rough and pitted you won't be happy with it. Just don't accept poor quality workmanship. You work hard for your money and you get less and less for it. The reason for that is greed and advertising scams. Just say "NO"

Samen · 07-01-2012, 05:54 PM

YEP! to all above.

Good quality stuff i have comes from Japan, Germany, USA, Sweden, Finland, Denmark.
Many other countries, almost all make some good stuff, it just does not come to where i can get it or or i don't have a need for it.

I can not help buying Chinese or other Asian stuff as it is at least impeded in products i get, I try to avoid cheap stuff as much as can and I really try hard to boycott anything "Made in China" but i need to live and work and dont have the necessary funds or time to have everything custom made locally to my needs, tho a life style that allowed that is appealing to me.

CanadaSue · 07-01-2012, 06:23 PM

If Obamacare isn't repealed in some way, is there not a serious concern that buying American will become even tougher?

I don't see how the full implementation of OC won't result in a lot of business shutdowns.

LvDemWings · 07-01-2012, 07:04 PM

bg here is another store http://www.madeinamericastore.com/ the brick and mortar isn't that far from me.

Coyote · 07-01-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

If Obamacare isn't repealed in some way, is there not a serious concern that buying American will become even tougher?

No.

BG, I agree. Quality only costs once.

And if you can find a quality product, made in the US, buy it.

And please, get rid of the phrase "I almost never go to Walmart". It means you shop at Walmart.

Just say no.

LvDemWings · 07-01-2012, 08:07 PM

Walmart does sell some US made products. You just have to watch what you buy and know your brands and model/item numbers. I don't usually shop at Walmart but I do go once a year to stock up on a few canned goods.

Catbird · 07-01-2012, 08:16 PM

I agree BG. I think another element of this is that we need to be shopping locally - buying things at the local hardware, grocery, drug, shoe, clothing, and furniture stores.

It isn't always possible, but we're making a concerted effort to give our money to the people who work and live near us. If we have to pay sales tax, I want it to stay in our county, or at least nearby, so that we can see some benefit from it. We're also trying to pay more often in cash so that the small store owners don't have to lose part of their profit on bank fees for electronic transactions.

It isn't just WalMart that peddles cheap junk. All the big box and chain stores are guilty of it. We as consumers aren't just conditioned to buy cheap, we've also gotten to a point where there are few options left besides buying at those places, whether we want to or not. It's gotten to the point where one of the factors we consider when making a purchase is, "Do we want to give our hard-earned money to that company?"

More and more often the answer is no.

Twoolf · 07-01-2012, 08:20 PM

Unfortunately, you will not find any US made electronics. There is a company making TV's here, but the reviews say they are total crap. Just because a vehicle has a US "name" does not mean its really a US product. Toyota trucks have much more US content than my Dodge, so my next truck will be a Toyota, made in the US (My Dodge was made in Mexico), and with over 80% US content (Dodge in the 50's).

Coyote · 07-02-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

I don't usually shop at Walmart but I do go once a year to stock up on a few canned goods.

I had forgotten that Walmart also has supermarkets. Supermarket food is supermarket food I would imagine. They probably carry what the others carry both American products and foreign.

Why do you chose Walmart when stocking up?

Potemkin · 07-02-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samen

YEP! to all above.

Good quality stuff i have comes from Japan, Germany, USA, Sweden, Finland, Denmark.
Many other countries, almost all make some good stuff, it just does not come to where i can get it or or i don't have a need for it.

I can not help buying Chinese or other Asian stuff as it is at least impeded in products i get, I try to avoid cheap stuff as much as can and I really try hard to boycott anything "Made in China" but i need to live and work and dont have the necessary funds or time to have everything custom made locally to my needs, tho a life style that allowed that is appealing to me.

Remember in the 1960's and 1970's when people said the same thing about Japan and they do about China now?

I think they made a point of in in Back to the Future II.

But I do wonder, is it a chicken and the egg thing?

Do young people really want to buy things like furniture and tools that they will have until they die? (Ethan Allen for furniture or Craftsman [older] or Snap On tools)

Do they not buy these things because they don't know any better because it has always been that way for them or do they know "Buy good enough to do the job and save the money"?

LvDemWings · 07-02-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

I had forgotten that Walmart also has supermarkets. Supermarket food is supermarket food I would imagine. They probably carry what the others carry both American products and foreign.

Why do you chose Walmart when stocking up?

I buy 2 items at Walmart and I generally get a year worth when I go. I get seasoned chili beans and canned red kidney beans. The Great Value canned red kidney beans have a tough skin and stand up to a long simmer in soup and Walmart is the only store that still sells the Chili Magic seasoned chili beans. My local stores have discontinued it. I have to go miles out of my way to go to a Walmart so I have tried every other brand of those 2 items that my local grocery stores carry.

Coyote · 07-02-2012, 07:05 PM

LDW, what do you think of the Walmart supermarkets in general?

The last time I was in Walmart I think was before they had supermarkets. Some people have given me good reviews on them but it is too far for me to travel to get groceries.

Quote:

Remember in the 1960's and 1970's when people said the same thing about Japan and they do about China now?

Back in the 60's Japan had a reputation for producing cheap junk for a very good reason. They produced cheap junk.

China has that reputation now and it's for the same reason. I'm not so sure it's deserved this time. I think the Chinese are capable of manufacturing to almost any level the contract states, especially when it comes to consumer goods. It's the people who are contracting the work who are specing cheap junk.

LvDemWings · 07-02-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

LDW, what do you think of the Walmart supermarkets in general?

The last time I was in Walmart I think was before they had supermarkets. Some people have given me good reviews on them but it is too far for me to travel to get groceries.

I'm not a regular shopper there so I really couldn't say. I get 4 flats of kidney beans and 1 of chili beans and I'm out the door. I don't wander and look around.

dharma · 07-02-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaSue

If Obamacare isn't repealed in some way, is there not a serious concern that buying American will become even tougher?

I don't see how the full implementation of OC won't result in a lot of business shutdowns.

Maybe not shutdowns, but assuming our company survives (a big if!), we will have to think very carefully about getting any bigger than 50 employees. We have already outsourced our electronic production to China (though that may be changing, as there are other options, though not in the US), and some of our code work is being done in Argentina. O-Care, taxes, regs, all making the US a bad place to do business.

dharma · 07-02-2012, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

I think the Chinese are capable of manufacturing to almost any level the contract states, especially when it comes to consumer goods. It's the people who are contracting the work who are specing cheap junk.

The Chinese will cut absolutely any corner they can cut. Your specs have to be unbelievably detailed, down to the quality of the plastic/screws/plating, because if not, you'll get garbage (that meets the letter of the contract). You can't ever think, "oh, no one would do it that way!", because they will, if they think they can get away with it.

occupant · 07-02-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

I had forgotten that Walmart also has supermarkets. Supermarket food is supermarket food I would imagine. They probably carry what the others carry both American products and foreign.

Why do you chose Walmart when stocking up?

No Coyote, supermarket food is not all the same. My friend and I compared a few of the very same items bought from a small chain supermarket here and the newly opened Walmart.We bought Campbells tomato Juice and Land O Lakes French Vanilla ready to mix Cocoa packets, among several other products. The Campbells tomato juice had very similar labels but not exact.The Walmart purchased juice was much more waterey than the can purchased at the regular supermarket . Same brand but cost more at the small market, yet better quality. Same held true of the Cocoa mix. Slightly different labels, the Walmart product became less tasty and more watery when mixed. My friend and I are "foodies" we know food like a science. Walmart demands of their suppliers a product that they can sell cheap, yet still make a profit, resulting in a poorer quality product. Google what Walmart did to Vlasic pickles and you will see how this has affected everything Walmart sells. I would never ever give them a dime of my money again.
I also try to buy only made in USA products or buy recycled. I but only USA or Canada produce, or I don't buy it. Fruit is the most difficult thing to find. I am blessed that I can afford to pay more for USA items and am willing to do so. Thanx to all of you who are able and willing to support the USA !!!

Coyote · 07-03-2012, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma

The Chinese will cut absolutely any corner they can cut. Your specs have to be unbelievably detailed, down to the quality of the plastic/screws/plating, because if not, you'll get garbage (that meets the letter of the contract). You can't ever think, "oh, no one would do it that way!", because they will, if they think they can get away with it.

That's interesting and disappointing. At least you are aware of it and can deal appropriately. They may be trading their long term success for short term gains.

Occupant, that is an angle of supermarket food that I was unaware of. Now that you bring it up, it really doesn't surprise me though.

As I've got older, I've grown tired of buying things over and over. For quite a while, I've been sticking to buying better quality items and taking better care of them than I did when younger. It ends up being less expensive that way.

blue gecko · 07-03-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma

Maybe not shutdowns, but assuming our company survives (a big if!), we will have to think very carefully about getting any bigger than 50 employees. We have already outsourced our electronic production to China (though that may be changing, as there are other options, though not in the US), and some of our code work is being done in Argentina. O-Care, taxes, regs, all making the US a bad place to do business.

I've been self-employed for nearly 20 years. This last year had an opportunity to start a new venture and a new awakening to the mess starting and running a business has become. The red tape is mind boggling at best. I can't imagine how bad it would be with employees.

Thank you Occupant for that enlightening comparism.

Cactus Az · 07-03-2012, 05:39 PM

I remember when Walmart proudly advertized all of it`s "American" made merchandise. When did it change so much? After Sam died would be my guess.

I go there,but usually after I have checked my local hardware store,grocers,and phamacy first. Then, either go there,or drive 90 miles each way to the city.

Mousehound · 07-04-2012, 08:48 AM

I saw this today, and had to think of this thread, and what was said about Toyota.
The Most American Cars On The Road Today

Potemkin · 07-06-2012, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Az

I remember when Walmart proudly advertized all of it`s "American" made merchandise. When did it change so much? After Sam died would be my guess.

I go there,but usually after I have checked my local hardware store,grocers,and phamacy first. Then, either go there,or drive 90 miles each way to the city.

It is easy to blame it on WalMart management when the real cause is the WalMart shopper.

Walmart stocked the shelves with non-US make products because the modern American would rather buy "inexpensive and cheap", use it a few times and throw it away.

If the WalMart shopper wouldn't buy it, they would change their tool.

My proof? There are companies which sell American made products. However, they are several 10's of percentage more expensive than the foreign made products.

These companies are still in business, but not as much as much if the jingoist would really "Buy American".

I don't go to WalMart all that often because they aren't that good a value if you are shop wisely. Getting sales, loss leaders, using coupons and stocking up when you see such bargains and you can always beat WalMart.