This common sense solution to jump starting the American economy and the job market is simple and it has nothing to do with government. Like other revolutions it will start with people like you and me. If you are a small business owner, you already know the answer to this.
Over the weekend I went to a local sporting goods department store and purchased some exercise equipment. Out of the weights, bands, and other accessories, nothing was made in the USA. I purchased a rather large piece of equipment that allows me to do chin-ups. This thing was huge, all metal and had lots of parts. It sold for under $100. No way should it be that cheap. If it were made in Alabama, or New Jersey or even California it probably would have sold for $150 – $199, but it would have been worth it.
The problem is that we have been lulled into a false sense of value due to cheap imported products from China, Indonesia, Thailand and other (mostly Asian) countries, and it is all in the name of profit for the department stores as well as in the name of (economic) power for these countries. Nothing wrong with that, except we have overindulged to the point where nothing much is made in this country and our economic power is being given away. Therefore, we don’t have the job base anymore, nor will we (unless…) You can see it in every community that used to support manufacturing, distributing and even now customer support functions (which is now often in India, for crying out loud).
Here is the point. Unless we start manufacturing and servicing customers in America, we will not see the strong American jobs that we once enjoyed. Duh! OK, so that’s been said. Now what? It’s complicated, right? Requires governmental incentives, accelerated depreciation schedules, accountants, lawyers, lions, tigers, bears (oh my), all the rest, right?
Not only no…But hell no!
Getting our strong American economy back with more jobs and goods being made right here simply means that we as individuals and business managers make a decision to ask for and buy products that are made in the United States. In the case where no products are available (as is often the case nowadays) find a way to let the store and/or chain management know. Businesses like Wal-Mart and others listen to the sales figures and are keen to bad press. When they see that sales are off on a range of imported products, then they will start asking for it to be made here. That is when American manufacturing will be reborn. Believe me…when Wal-Mart speaks, suppliers listen. The same goes for Target, Sears and the rest of the pack.
Small American businesses know this, and many of us already make our products in the USA, and many do it in our homes, garages and business. But we need to educate the consumer that if they want American products, American jobs and American profits (to pay for it all), we have to ask for and demand American products!
So, if you want American products, ask for them! Demand them! Buy them!
Robby Meadows
Nashville Wraps
Lisa Giddings says
And this is Why I buy American whenever possible… Whenever I buy store supplies for Etsy shop Lili D Magpie Creations, I can be comfortable in the knowledge that in my small way I’m helping the US economy and supporting US workers. This is my version of “put your money where your mouth is” and “you get what you pay for” all rolled into one sound business decision.
Chikie says
Well said. I have a vegetable peeler that is well over 50 years old that is sharper and peels better than any new one on the market. It was made in America. I also own a vintage 1956 Kirby vacuum that we just replaced the bag and is still going strong, again made in America. As consumers we have to seek out products made here and show that there is a demand for good quality products. Not all of us want to do our shopping at the dollar store. Oh, and tell your bank we Americans can answer a phone just fine. I let mine know I appreciate the fact that I’m talking to someone in Texas or Nevada not India. If we invest in ourselves it can only get better.
Patti says
I haven’t shopped at Wal-Mart or Sams for over 10 years. It’s small but if more people made this decision we could have some impact. I am also starting to look for USA sources more and may even quit making gift baskets and go strictly to boxes and totes made in the USA. It’s up to us is right.
Sweet Stuff & Coffee says
We too look for all american products, my personal use ILove Not Your Daughters jeans , can be purchased at Dillards all American Has that beautiful American flag on the tag . For our business we try very hard to have all American products its not possiable but we sure kept trying on the Tee Shirts we wanted to sell one thanking our vets , you can’t have an American logo from china, we found UFCW Union line made in America,our shirts say USA Land of the Free because of the Brave Thank a Vet and they are resonably priced. We purchase our bags and other items from Nashville wraps,because they think like we do. America will come back if we reach out and help. Jt. owner of Sweet Stuff & Coffee
Carrie says
I agree. China is taking over our country a little at a time and us Americans are letting them! My husband and I opened a little under a year ago and believe me it has not been easy in this economy. I have heard it all even the famous ” I can get that at Walmart for half the price”. I tell them yes you can if you want to feed your children candy made in china that is your choice. I know that for every person that is looking for cheap there are two or three willing to pay for quality. We as small business owners need to continue to cater to those who understand and also continue to support our local businesses. Take the time to explain that buying local keeps money in their community. People appreciate it when you give them information and will come back and buy from you again. I also have noticed that more and more people are becoming aware of this problem so keep telling the people to support the local businesses! Thanks NW for taking the time to send these articles they are always good.
Jane @ The Borrowed Abode says
I am willing to pay more for Made in the USA. To be able to afford it, I save money on other things – like not having cable TV. I shop at thrift stores and DIY a lot of my home decor so that I don’t have to buy the cheap “made in China” furnishings that Target, WalMart, even Crate and Barrel carry.
So to those who say they can’t afford to buy it, it’s a matter of priorities, I think.
Nancy Mangano says
Bravo!! You are correct in that we have become accustomed to paying as little as possible for any type of product. We as Americans need to realize what true “value” is, not just what “as cheap as I can get it” is!
renee west says
So glad you say these things. As a shop that carries a lot of USA made baby and kids clothes, it’s not always an easy sell. It costs more and Americans have gotten used to buying cheap imported EVERYTHING. We have to start caring about each other, so that all Americans can have decent jobs, homes, health care etc. This may reflect in the end price of a product- but it will be worth it. We can’t afford to disenfranchise members of our society- it’s bad for everyone. We can’t all be rich but we should be able to work and have food, shelter, education and healthcare.
Marilyn Sherman says
Wow! I’m glad I opened this email. What a great message. As a small specialty store owner, this a a way for us to stand out and as an individual, I can make a difference when I shop. During these tough years, I have found that there is a lot I can do without and the same can work with our purchasing power of American products. If it is not Made in the USA, leave it in the store and as you said, advise the merchant. Timing could not be better for us to change our ways.
I have only one other comment. Sometimes the people that can afford it the most are the cheapest shoppers. I once had a customer
buy an item at 50% off for $10.00 and then ask if we would wrap for a wedding gift. I knew her and knew she could afford to spend more on a gift. Now we wrapped it without putting it in a box (it was a cutting board) and she brought it back at a later date and ask us to redo the wrap, it wasn’t good enought. I still can’t get over it.
“Paymore for America”. Thanks Robby for the inspirition.
Robby says
It is difficult (but not impossible) to change the motivation of the average consumer. While many people only see price and don’t care about anything beyond that, others do care but can’t afford it. This is why we are a free nation and have choices. If those who can afford it will ask for US products the volume and demand will increase and will allow the prices to be more competitive. With the inflation rate in China and fuel costs escalating the differeces are becomming less and less based on price.
Robby Meadows
Nashville Wraps
Joe Nolan says
Yes, buy domestic – great, or buy local – even better. Grassroots action is needed, but also top-down change. How about eliminating income taxes and replacing them with a carbon tax? If we could make international shipping (and other fossil fuel use) more expensive, perhaps we could accelerate toward a cleaner and more localized economy. Thanks for the post!
Growing Greener Gardens says
Couldn’t agree more with this article. I recently opened a gardening/ green living retail store and made the choice to only sell products made in the USA. While it was a struggle to actually find all the products I wanted to carry, I was able to do it. And now everytime a customer here’s that everything is made in the USA they smile and say “Now you don’t see that very often.” While some of the products are a little more expensive than those made in China, many are comparable and the quality of all is deffinatley better. We even went as far as making sure all of our store supplies are made in the USA. Thanks to Nashville Wraps we were able to get the cutest gift and shopping bags!
Angie S. says
We try very hard to promote US made products in our store. One classic example is Lodge cast iron. The big problem is survival against the WalMarts of the world. People come in with a preconceived notion that the big chains Menards, WalMart etc are sooooo much cheaper but the cast iron there is made in China not the US. They don’t compare apples to apples. When they see that you are higher in one area (not comparing US to China) it just comfirms their ideas. I had a customer come in who wanted a flag set and his friend told him- it’s bound to be cheaper at WalMart- I then questioned where it was made. It really gets to me when you have people buying American flags to show their support that are made in China ( or elsewhere).
elaine says
Willing to pay for American products? With what? I beg to differ that the higher price of American products is “worth it”. In fact, I would argue that the demise of the American product is shoddy workmanship while charging exorbitant fees for it. The auto industry is one of the largest examples of this. Expensive cars, not well made, minimally equipped yet $$$ allowed foreign markets with well made cars that lasted, well equipped for relatively the same $$$ to dominate the market for the last several decades. American workers did this to themselves. We’ve become a nation with the worst work ethic of any developed country. We have an inflated sense of entitlement that says we should have, have, have while putting forth as minimal effort as possible. “Greed” is the mantra of the American product, not “quality”. There is no pride in work and the average worker has an adversarial view of their employer. If an American product is suffering and falling short of it’s foreign counterpart, it need only look to itself and not blame it’s lack of success on consumers not “buying American”.
I am a small business suffering greatly in this economy. I will put the few hard earned dollars I have into the product with the highest quality to price ratio I can find. If that happens to be foreign, so be it. And shame on the American product for falling short. Not shame on me for wanting quality and value in the products I purchase.
maggie says
Very powerful post. 100% agree. Our country is lost in the fog of cheap is better, forget the quality and great customer service, attention to detail that can be found in American based company’s. Understanding the value of things made here in the US.
Valerie says
Wonderful Article. I am committed to purchasing USA made items for my shop as much as I can.
Robby says
Other than my personal and professional commitment to increasing US manufacturing I was in my favorite farm store last week and noticed some T-Shirts promoting the USA with a flag graphic and a supportive US theme…but the label said “Made in Honduras”.
I contacted the President of the company and asked the more emphasis be given to US suppliers and the clothing especially. The next day I got a reply and to my surprise learned that the t-shirts were printed in the US at least. But more than that I was told that US suppliers are sought after first, then imports when products are not domestically available. I commented that due to the chains buying power, (largest farm chain in the US) they could give suppliers incentives to made products in the US once again.
Weaning ourselves off the imports is going to be a slow process, but one important to start. Big hitters are necessary to get the ball rolling and to maintain competitive prices, so continue to let them know and support US products.
R Meadows
Nashville Wraps
DonnaR says
A few of my friends who travel often to China talk about the explosive building growth, and nice cars (many are new to driving, so they are inexperienced), and how their economy is elevating their lives. Although, it is altruistic to know their quality of life is better, I quickly wonder where the USA will be if we continue to spend our dollars elsewhere. The time has come to take back some of what America has lost in manufacturing. We want our children to have a good future.
JoniC says
Sixteen years ago I made the decision to become a part of Nashville Wraps. It was a decision between a secretarial job at DuPont and coming here. One of the key factors that swayed me to coming to NW was the fact that you tried to carry only USA products and it was so important to you back then.
When you look back at the Spring/Summer 1995 catalog – 32 pages – on these pages 16 years ago we were telling our customers about US products and recycling;
HD Bags made from Milk Jugs
T-Sacks 30% recycled Florida Diamond approval
Natural Kraft Groove Boxes 100% recycled, Made in USA.
List goes on…
We’ve always been the leader and now we can tell the story louder. To quote what was written on the last page of that catalog – Dispensers & Cutters, “Made in America and Built to Last!! That says it all.
Thanks for taking a stand .
Robby Meadows says
These are awesome comments. It is a complex issue, the most common challange mentioned seems to be price. As inflation continues in China, this may soon take care of itself. In the meanwhile I will continue to seek and ask for American made products professionally and personally.
Robby Meadows
PS: All of our products have “Country of Origin” listed on the product pages of our website. just drill down and it will be there.
RM
Wendy says
Thanks for putting this in your email blast today.
I Tweeted and FB posted this.
Thanks also, for having so many recycled products.
You guys are GREAT!
Dianne Springer says
I totally agree with the premise. My complaint is, as is with most of us, price. Originally, I wanted to do all of my manufacturing in the US. However, when looking for a company to produce my first product, the mold costs here started at $100,000 and I got it done in China for $17,000. I am sorry, but that is waaaay too big a difference for me to have “made in the USA” stamped on the box. I do have all of my other items made in the US, even though it does mean higher pricing. I think the solution is some kind of happy medium. Americans have to figure out a way to manufacture products more competitively priced. I took a tour of a factory years ago and the guy staring at the machines work (just to be sure they worked right) made more money than school teachers who really work for their money, have a college degree(s), and put up with all kinds of $%##$%%&. I prefer buying items made in America, do it whenever possible, but, I simply cannot justify 6 times the price.
Deanna Giglio says
Excellent post. I’m very serious about buying American made products. I’ve been noticing a lot of “Made in PRC” on products now. It’s a weak attempt at trying to fool some consumers. PRC= People’s Republic of China.
Yes, American made products are a bit more expensive but if quality and supporting OUR ecomomy are important, you’ll swing it! 🙂
Valerie says
I love this article, and very happily support “made in the USA!”. I will post and share this article with some of my friends, and make a bigger deal of it on all my products. Which I produce, or buy from other crafters, which naturally means to me…”MADE IN THE USA!”
Lynn C says
That’s all good and well, except that when an American MP3 player costs $500 and a chinese one costs $100, the choice isn’t “buy something American, or buy something imported.” The choice is “buy imported, or don’t have it at all.”
I already sacrifice a lot. We have one car, and it’s over 15 years old, where most families have 2, fairly new. We have no car payments, but we know that if anything goes wrong with our car, we’ll be walking or doing without for weeks while we get it fixed and try desperately to be able to afford to pay for repairs.
I live in an apartment because I’ve never in my life had enough money to be able to think about affording a down payment for a house. It’s unlikely that we will ever have a house, and there’s a part of me that’s desperately worried about what that will mean in another 20 years when we can’t even think about retiring, because we wouldn’t have any money to live on.
I rarely travel out of the state, except to see my mother every other year. We live less than a mile from my husband’s work so that he can bike, or I can drive him in case of bad weather, and we fill our car up with gas about once a month. And even then, the $40 that it takes to fill the tank is a blow.
You say “vote with your dollars” and that sort of assumes that I have any.
You can cry American, American all you want, but unless salaries go up and people make what they deserve, or prices come down, I’m not really seeing lots of options.
KCLAnderson (Karen) says
Excellent post! Something else to consider: not only be willing to buy American-made, but be willing to spend more and to value what you buy…take care of it and don’t have the mentality that you can just throw it away and get a new whatever when you get tired of the old one.
Mick T. says
Your absolutely right, buy domestic or local whenever possible. When I shop, I think locally, regionally, nationally, then neighborly (if it’s not from the US is it from a neighboring country or from a country that pays and treats their workers well). It’s not always possible to shop that way, and if it costs a lot more I may not be able to afford (unless I know it will last longer and be better quality).
One thing that people forget in all the hullabaloo about the economy, is that the US is still the world’s biggest manufacturer:
“… the world’s largest manufacturer, representing 19% of the world’s manufacturing output …”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_United_States
aviatrix says
I am an online merchant. I am trying desperately to buy materials and products that are made only in America. I agree with this part of your statement: “The problem is that we have been lulled into a false sense of value due to cheap imported products . . . ” but I do not agree with the latter part — putting all the blame on “department stores” that want to make huge profits. The unsaid problem is that we have spoiled American citizens who want what they want, when they want it and for a cheap price. I’m all for buying America and selling American. But you can’t BE American without free trade. Are you not in business because you want to make a profit? It’s the pot calling the kettle black to put all the blame on your fellow businesses. And the government IS to blame in a major part of the equation: If corporations were not paying the highest corporate taxes in the world in America, they would not move to other countries to produce their goods. Less tax + more products made in America = MORE JOBS AND BETTER PRICES ON ALL AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. DUH!
Michelle says
Hi! I am bootstrapping my American Dream, PrizeBite.com which is a business focused on the best of the best American-made food gifts. We purchase some of our supplies from Nashville Wraps.
Please check us out: http://prizebite.com/ … We have very strong testimonials on our website, some specifically praising the fact that the foods are made in the USA and we give a portion of our proceeds to domestic-hunger-relief.
Each of our items has been carefully and personally selected because it is extraordinarily delightful, yet not necessarily widely available. At PrizeBite, our focus on American-made food reflects our love for the delicious melting pot of cultures & evolving flavors that makes our country uniquely wonderful. In fact, smaller U.S. food companies have always fascinated and inspired us. Often owned by families, these companies are led by visionary individuals who personally invest everything to create and maintain a singular taste – a truly prized bite. In our day-to-day relationships with our suppliers, we are continually renewed by their passion, creativity & dedication to quality. We feel privileged to be a platform that highlights and shares their tremendous contributions to the world of food.
Best Regards,
Michelle Helena Denk
Founder of PrizeBite Inc.
Bonnie says
I agree with Martha,
I believe you do make a note when products are made in the USA, however, I’d love to see more. Especially paper goods. Most of the plants that could be making products such as paperboard boxes, have closed and manufacturing has gone to countries like China.
I do believe as the dollar continues to decline relative to the Euro, the benefit of off-shoring production will diminish. Perhaps Nashville Wraps can help revitalize the paper industry? You could start with helping your suppliers such as BoxCo to see the light. Perhaps team up with them to shift their production back to the U.S.
Molly says
Very happy to see this truth in your article. Thank you! I am a small business owner in Oregon who makes handcrafted jewelry. People are buying locally made products, so much so that I am hiring! I feel it will simply take a lot of time for the general public to get to a place where they can not only see that it is very much worth it to buy items made locally, but to also have the economy to support that choice. It is a cycle, more people will be able to afford the higher price of USA made items when more local businesses sell so much more that they are hiring people at higher wages. But then we are going back to the “how can they afford it to buy it in the first place” conundrum. So this will take time, but I firmly believe it will happen.
Albert Kaufman says
Don’t buy anything at a big box store. That’s a great way to start if you’re serious about this. Really, shop at farmer’s markets and on main street and you’ll do a lot more than any other action.
Mandy Smith says
I believe a lot of what you said. However, in my small, rural town, no one is willing to pay the prices for the American made goods. At least not enough are willing. They want a piece that looks expensive, makes a nice gift, free gift wrapping, maybe free delivery, and all for $20.00. I had a couple in buying a bridal gift recently. Everything had been sold except some of the bride’s dinnerware. A plate was $26.00. The guy told my assistant he wanted something more “impressive”, but their budget was $30.00. My assistant and I almost fell out laughing when they left. Demanding American made goods alone is not enough, Americans must be willing to pay for the products.
martha says
Great points..
As an American craftswoman, I have seen quite a bit over the past 40 something years.. the demise of manufacturing in the USA has made us a country of debtor citizens who do not know how to make things, and require two incomes to buy groceries ..
Not enough room here for all the things that we all know have contributed to the destruction of the middle class, the destruction of our education system .. on and on..
I do have a request from Nashville Wraps – I purchase ribbon, organza bags, tissue, tape.. etc. from you – and love the great service..
I would prefer to know when I purchase my supplies where they are produced so when I can, I will be able to support made in USA products..
just saying…
Martha
Tony Crookshank says
I couldn’t agree with you more, Robby. As a small store owner I feel like it is becoming more and more difficult to find products made in the USA. We keep asking, but the vendors keep worrying about their ability to provide cost effective products and shy away from trying to find products made here. It’s going to take not only what you propose, but a mindset change within american industry to stop shipping procurement to Asia just to improve the bottom line. This is a daunting task. Wall Street barks and american business reacts..
Ron Eckert says
This article really hits home for me. My last order was delayed for months as it was awaiting delivery from China. I was discussing with my sales assistant that the next time I will not subject myself to the delay and will gladly pay a few dollars more to support an American business. You better believe I will honor this statement. GOD BLESS AMERICA! Let’s all work together to create jobs here at home.
Alice Legler says
And, when you DO need customer service, and you are connected to someone outside the USA… simply pause, take a breath… and nicely ask to be connected to a representative in the United States!! I’m doing this all the time now, and have met no resistance, whatsoever… infact, they happily do it… and when I am finally connected to a representative in the United States (which creates/continues the need for another U.S. job!!) …the person on the other end is always nice.
Robby says
Fooled twice…
Well the Arrow T50 staples I was proud to buy last light because I knew they were made in the US turned out to be an off brand made in Taiwan. I didn’t look at the box closly because it was handed to me by the sales person and I was in a hurry. After I got home I saw they were an off brand import made in Taiwan. So I wrote the Arrow Fastner Company and told them what happened! Told them to emphasize their brand at these chain retailers.
A similar thing happened yesterday at TSC. I bought a pitch fork that had a US company address on it. I looked all over for a “made in” label but did not see one. This morning when I was unloading it and a small white stamp on the tines said China. 🙁
Point is that it is easy to be fooled. Look carefully!
mac says
It really is up to each of us make a stand when we can…today a friend shared this story with me.
“I went to Northern Tool looking for some parts and remembered I needed an appliance hand truck. So I put my hand on one – but it was made in Taiwan.
Yep. Practice what you preach came into mind… so I left it. Went home, got online and bought one (no tax and free shipping) made in the USA!!! And it looked better too! I feel better about myself.”
So I told him:
It takes us to be willing to stop and think at times like that. Is it easier to just buy it – sure it is. We all think we are too busy to look more – wait a few days. But if we were the one out of work we’d want someone else to think about it.
We do have the power!
Del Williams says
Well stated. I shared this at FB.
It’s really up to American consumers to vote with their $$$ and quit buying products manufactured in other countries when they could be produced here to the benefit of all of us.
Valerie Peli says
Yes! Well stated.
Leslie Armstrong says
This is a good blog post I found today from the company who I purchase my eco-friendly supplies from. Love Nashville Wraps.