Where things are made how has this affected you?

[nootka]

Just wondering if anyone here has given much thought to where their purchases are produced, and has it changed your habits?

Myself, this has been on my mind for some time. I feel that our consumerism has far exceeded our abilities to make proper judgment/police standards. Most of the things we buy and even eat are produced far too distant from where we live. Hence, no accountability.

A person in China not being paid a living wage to produce toys for our children is not going to care, nor have the ability to change the way things are done so that our children are safe. I know this is missing a lot of what's really going on, but I say to vote with your feet, and find alternatives if you are unhappy with how things are being done.

I am not averse to things that are produced in other countries, as long as it makes sense for all. Many other countries produce a superior product, and not only because it's less expensive for them to do so.

This problem has been affecting our economy for a long time. We have seen how it has affected our pets, our children and maybe ourselves.

Go turn over all the mugs being sold at Starbucks, for example. Made in China. Has anyone done lead testing on these? I read that they weren't concentrating on things like this so much because children are more vulnerable and this is true, but all of us have to make a stand...don't buy it.

I don't frequent Starbucks anymore anyway, just because I'd rather spend my money at locally-owned and operated coffee shops, but the problem is huge, and greed is the root of it all.

I realize that much of the food we consume can be purchased locally. We have friends that fish/gillnet, and so we can have just about any species of fish purchased directly from them, no middleman, so he makes the money, and we get a fresh product that has been properly handled. We also know people that farm, so we can have beef that is not treated with anything, and has been fed well, and lived humanely. Same with chickens and then produce...I bet many of us on here have the same luxuries. Life more like it "used to be".

When I go to the store, I read labels and find out some about companies before I become a loyal customer, and even then, we have to keep our eyes and ears open.

I would far rather shop at a store that is owned locally than one owned by a nationally-owned chain that has no real care about our community.

My Christmas shopping this year is going to be quite a bit more difficult because I am going to avoid companies as well as items I feel are "junk" in that they are mass-produced with little care for quality. The things I purchase will be made either by people I KNOW personally, or live near, or in lieu of that, from my country or other countries with similar, or higher standards than ours when it comes to safety as well as quality. They will NOT be cheap, so maybe people will get a few less presents, but they WILL have something much nicer in the long run.

I know it's all but impossible to wean ourselves off of the Made in China thing, but we can have some effect.

Have any of you modified your spending habits to reflect the current events?

Liz M.

 

[Minimor]

I try to avoid anything made in China--always did, even before the pet food issues--but that's not easy to do!

When it comes to food products, I prefer to buy only Canadian or US products. I fail to see why it's necessary to import Australian beef into Canadian stores when we have perfectly good beef of our own. Not that there is anything wrong with Australian, but this became an issue for me when the borders closed to Canadian beef because of BSE. At that point I began asking--at stores & restaurants--where their beef came from. If it wasn't Canadian beef, I said no thank you.

When it comes to reading labels--remember that something "packaged in the USA" didn't necessarily originate in the USA. It could be a Chinese product shipped to the US and then packaged "locally".

There's a program coming up next Saturday--I saw the preview last night--W-5 is doing a show on this subject. The preview showed fish being caught & processed, and said there was raw sewage being emptied into the water body where the fish came from...ever wonder how some food came to be infected with salmonella???...and it mentioned that package labelling can be misleading (and showed the "packaged in Canada" label on some product) so you may think you are buying some local product when in reality it came from another country. I plan to watch that program, just to see what it has to say...it might put me off a few things I buy???

 

[Shari]

Food, I have always bought local for the majority of it.

Other stuff... I try as much as I can to buy good quality "made in the USA" items and go out of my way too. Though some things like computers and all are not.

For Christmas stuff... Only doing made in the USA stuff. I normally get my Dad some Clam chowder from Maine..and stuff like that. OR handmade gifts I make.

 

[Sterling]

Liz, funny you should mention this at this point in time. I find myself, especially after the dog food scare watching what I buy, where is manufactured etc..... I find myself constantly looking at labels now and even spending more time in the grocery store or at pet stores because of it. I have to say I am more diligent about what goes into my pup's bellies than I am about myself!!

The other day I went to a quaint little country craft store...saw some adorable little keepsakes, rustic, crafty and perfect gifts...when I turned it over...."made in China"..... We have a farmer's market about 20 minutes from us that has a little store in it with crafty items...you can go in there and get some awesome wooden crafts for only $1.00!!!! (Made in China) I'm thinking this cannot be good for us crafter's/artisans that put our handmade hours of love and devotion into what we make. Here too..nothing against other countries....but I too would like to find more items and produce from around the area. For instance, when we visited Oklahoma last fall....I was looking for gifts and such....almost all of them were made in China.....well I wanted something that came FROM Oklahoma....made IN Oklahoma, and I finally found it in a town far away from everything, run and owned by Native Americans. I dropped a lot of Buck$ there...but I got what I wanted!

:

 

[nootka]

As you might suspect, since my husband is a self-employed commercial fisherman (think Deadliest Catch for some of it), we know a LOT about the seafood industry. Just the other day, we were at Red Lobster, and NONE of the fish except the Halibut, could they assure me wasn't raised on a farm. They did have wild-caught Maine Lobster, too. I do not eat farmed fish, and only eat fish from clean waters, as well CANADIAN or AMERICAN caught/processed if I do eat fish out. Farmed fish is so bad-tasting, with a mushy texture, and then it is full of hormones, dyes, etc. that are bad for people.

Sadly, it is no longer safe to eat Sturgeon caught in our river, due to the upstream pollutions.

Anyway, it is VERY difficult to avoid all Made in China items, but I think as a society, Americans in general tend to feed the greed mentality (as in why not buy a dozen toy cars as opposed to one or two very nicely made ones that cost the same amount overall).

I shop at Target and so much of what's there is made in China. It's difficult, but possible. Wal-Mart is also awful. These places generally pay very little wage, they sell volumes and volumes of junk, and in the long run, it is NOT cheaper to shop there. They are part of the problem, as well. They don't care that the paint on child toys are cookware might be lead, they just want to sell a LOT of it.

I hope as consumers, we can have some effect on all this. We, the US, are to blame, first of all.

The rest will fall into place if we can educate ourselves and our children. We have stopped buying any kind of kid's meals at the fast food restaurants (which we RARELY frequent) just because the toys are all Made in China, but the bigger picture is that this food is processed, probably grown and packaged somewhere very far from home, by people that do not care if, let alone how, we live or die.

Awesome, Cheyenne, that is how I feel, too.

Around here, we have many nautical as well as Native American items, and guess what? MANY of them are Made in China...gotta wonder what they know about our Native Americans or our local culture, period. They ARE very cheap, but if you look at them, they are sloppily decorated, shoddily glued or joined, and just junk.

So I look around for stores that carry items from people who truly have a passion for their local history, their artwork, their craft, and will BENEFIT from me as a customer.

Many times these people are delightful to know. I am lucky to live in an area with many creatively-minded people, but I know here on this board there are many who own their own businesses as well as produce beautiful crafts, products as a side line to help afford their hobbies and/or their minis or make a living!

Realistically, it only makes sense to care for our friends and neighbors by shopping there, first, and filling a need for something with money that would otherwise go to companies too big for their britches or so far overseas to fund the purchase of weapons of mass destruction (quite possibly...think how hostile China is).

Liz M.

 

[Shari]

One of my Uncles and Cousin are Lobstermen and have been all of their lives. If they did not catch it.. they will not eat it.

They will some times over night some fish and stuff but other wise I do not like what sold on this side of the country.

Do buy beef from a local family who raises their beef like I would. Same with the Veggies and fruit.

Haven't been to target or Wallyworld in a very long time. Tend to avoid most stores as I hate shopping.

 

[Wee Mite Miniatures]

How about APPLE JUICE?

The label said it was a Mexican/China product. Yes it listed both countries. My mom threw it out as soon as she saw China on the label.

No quality control with anything from China, I will not risk consuming anything that tells me is is from China. Not after all the things in the news recently.

 

[kaykay]

Years ago when I owned my craft store we only sold MADE IN AMERICA! Right at the height of the craft boom people started importing made in china crafts for half the price we sold for. It really hurt the craft industry. I did laugh however when a name brand store asked me and my students to repaint santas that had been painted in China. They did not look at all like Santa!! We did repaint all of them (omg there were so many!) and charged a good price to do it. I told the guy if he had hired us first he would have been way ahead.

So yes I always try to buy made in america if at all possible

 

[nootka]

I've noticed so many articles and news stories on people wanting made in USA products. I hope the trend continues and if we do insist on importing things, we can better control the quality that comes into our homes/lives.

It doesn't help a lot to buy things and then toss them at home. If you can, avoid buying them, or take them back to the store. Let the stores/businesses know why you chose the way you chose. I intend to do so whenever possible.

It's been interesting to look for nice things to get for people as gifts. I've even gotten a few new catalogs that are nice items made in our country for the most part. I am not averse to products from other countries, but they'd better be well-made, and SAFE.

Liz M.

 

[SilverDollar]

I, too, have found myself looking where things are made more and more these days. I would much rather support Made in America goods and services. It also makes sense ecologically. What does it take to get these goods here in the first place? Last Christmas, I purchased some items made overseas, but they were made by women in Africa for a living wage to help them support their families. They were more expensive but the craftsmanship was beautiful! They were hand-woven baskets with lids and I bought a really neat one for my husband, as well as smaller ones for my women friends and family. He loved it and liked the meaning behind its manufacture. So, I am not opposed to buying items from other countries; I would rather not be a part of exploitation of humans and children wherever possible.

(Besides, China is a communist country--what does that say about it? How much can they care for their own people, let alone us way over here in democratic U.S.A.? Just a thought.)

 

[Marnie]

This isn't about buying from China actually but losing my job to China. My sister and I used to hand paint these expensive duck sculptures that are sold at the Wild Wings Gallerys and Ducks Unlimited, we'd sign our names on the bottom of each duck where it said hand painted by --- whoever. But about five yrs ago, the company couldn't keep up with the competition any longer, we lost our jobs when they took their business to China. I was in their new store the other day and I don't know for sure but something seemed just missing. Their was now a "coldness" about the product. The ducks were nicely painted but they just were't special anymore. They looked like something that a person would buy anyplace and the prices were somewhat lower. Bummer I lost a job I loved to China. Also everyone needs to keep in mind, that just because a product says, made in NJ, that doesn't actually mean that's where it was made, it could have been China and just packaged in NJ. Also I read not to let your dogs have any of those chew sticks or raw hides made in other countries as they actually use a percentage of arsenic in their process's and I have seen my Chihuahua's get the pukes after chewing on them, I only buy now from pet stores after looking closely and have found that alot of the pet store items of this type are made here in America, costs a little more but I'll gladly pay it.

 

[Shari]

Is one of those reasons we ended up down here. Up North, all Hubbies jobs where going to India & China.

US really needs to find a way to keep US jobs here....and not give them to other countries.

The move turned out to be a really good thing though.

Think if more and more people ask the stores,,which ever ones they are... if the items they carry are made in China, even when not clearly marked... and not buy those items... maybe they would get the idea.

What I think is scary and I am quite sure they knew what they were doing... is those big companies and Gov knew that China was allowing those unsafe items in........ until they were caught at it. Has been going on too long for that not to be the case. Of course they finally got caught and now are back peddling.

 

[bfogg]

Liz it's funny you started this thread at this time.

I have changed my buying pattern over the past few years. I try to buy American only but it is hard to do.

By the way every time i watch the deadliest catch i think of you your husband and family.

I am amazed that anyone would go thru what they do to make a living!!! I would be scared to leave the dock!

Sometimes I can't watch all of the show, to see those waves and I cannot imagine how cold it must be. When it shows them taking in the nets and putting them out over the sides of the boat and getting hit by those ice cold huge(to me ) waves in the face and body. Man I would be starving to death before I would do that, being the coward that I am!

What they go thru just so I can have fish makes me feel guilty.

Your family must be very brave and so must you be to be able to know what they face and let them do it!!!

But back to shopping, I noticed some really beautiful dishes on sale and when I turned them over ad found Made in China, nope do not buy.

Also try not to buy from Philipines, Taiwan or any other country where I know it is usually made by underpaid women and children.

I am hoping this will be a wake up call to us and if we let big business know we want American maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

Soon there will be no jobs here if we don't wake up.

I would rather pay a little more for an item and know that whoever makes it is getting treated right.

Bonnie

 

[nootka]

I would rather pay a little more for an item and know that whoever makes it is getting treated right.

This is all part of the picture, as well.

The same goes for the animals we consume. I do know that as a non-vegan, animals are used to provide food for myself and my family, but where I can, I try to make sure the ones we consume have led a decent quality life and given a more humane death. In most cases, they live on their farms and that is where they are killed, so there is no terrible ride to slaughter, arrival at a slaughterhouse, etc.

That and I do think most of us can get by with less animal products as a rule, even if that means we have to pay more for it.

Yes, Bonnie, fishing is an intense way of life. As a child, I used to go out on our Salmon troller, it was 48' and at times we were facing 30' seas (height of the swells), but it was our living and it is a free one in that we go when we want, where we want, and experience things that few get to. Same with Martin. He really loves his way of life, it's something we are pretty passionate about, and also carries with it a lot of responsibility for the waters they fish, the species they pursue (to hopefully protect them and sustain them).

I'm glad to see that others are thinking the way that I and my family are. I just wish we'd all been a little less asleep at the wheel back when all of this started. In lieu of that, we do need to let these companies know that we are making choices based on their choice of manufacturers, that we want to have a better quality, safe product produced by people who are being paid a living wage.

I know that many businesses are up against the same thing. My friend that runs the map/collectible history business is hard-pressed sometimes to find everything he needs to produce his product at a price which gives him a decent profit. The things made her in the US are more expensive, but he's willing to sacrifice and spend extra time and effort looking for the components in order to create something entirely made in the USA.

It is the same with other business owners I know. They make the effort, but it gets harder and harder. Consumer support is very key.

Liz M.

 

[justanothercowgirl]

Of course as a Canadian I like to buy Made in Canada stuff as well as made in USA. Keeping jobs in North America is important and for the most part I find the quality is far superior than something made in China. Of course things made in China are cheaper but when all of our jobs are gone then none of us will have any money to spend at the dollar store on the cheap junk from China!

Last year I noticed a little thing I thought was quite sneaky on an item I was looking at for an Xmas present...it was actually in a fairly upscale store and it said made in PRC....hmmmm...PRC?? Ahhhhh...People's Republic of China!!!!! The upscale way of saying cheap merchandise!!!!

:

 

[bfogg]

PRC I will keep an eye out for that one, thank you for the heads up!

Bonnie

 

[nootka]

Wouldn't it be nice to find a list of manufacturers and crafters that are committed to making items comprised of USA (or other friendly countries such as Canada) made components, by people like you and me trying to make a living....all in one place?

Even so many of our local stores selling souvenirs from "our area" are selling the generic crap made abroad. Sad. I for one, would pay more for better things, from people who are making their living.

Liz

 

[BigDogs & LittleHorses]

Yeah, I can relate... I just bought myself a new Martin guitar. Really happy with it so far!

The model I bought is one of their less expensive ones, and apparently they have recently moved manufacturing of these to Mexico. Not that I have anything against Mexico; they have a long tradition of building guitars, but I wanted an American-made Martin from their factory in Nazareth, PA. Luckily, I found a place that still had an American made one in stock!

Now I just need to practice, practice, practice...

:

Daryl

 

[Shari]

Liz, they have a show on TV.. called." Made in America"....

http://travel.discovery.com/Made-in-America.shtml

Not sure how good these last two are but might be a place to start.

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/

http://www.madeinusa.com/

 

[ChrystalPaths]

You all make many valid points. I always buy from the US or Canada for my "stuff". I am fortunate to have a good relationship with a Canadian supplier who can create the same product made in China...do I pay more...youbetcha...but he does nice work and I am supporting the economy locally (so to speak).