On old craftsman hand tools, I wouldn't mind paying 30 percent more, on liquor it can be 50%, on a real guitar: no problem if it's 85%,,,,, that's my case, how about you?
USA label cost
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Notice the crowds at Walmart?
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I would pay extra for higher quality. But that does not mean it has to be USA. Switzerland and Japan make excellent watches. Germany makes great cars. Various Caribbean islands make great Rum.
I was told there were some great brake rotors cast and initial machining in China, final machining in USA. Have yet to find them however.
I am not sure how much extra I would be willing to pay for quality. For some things if its not high quality, then I do not want it.
But I have many DVM type meters and no Fluke.
I was told there were some great brake rotors cast and initial machining in China, final machining in USA. Have yet to find them however.
I am not sure how much extra I would be willing to pay for quality. For some things if its not high quality, then I do not want it.
But I have many DVM type meters and no Fluke.
As an American manufacturer, I go out of my way to support American manufacturing.
In most cases its a simple quality decision - better costs a bit more.
Only thing I get at Wal Mart - is Engine oil, Fram Ultras, (german) laundry soap, and beer.
UD
In most cases its a simple quality decision - better costs a bit more.
Only thing I get at Wal Mart - is Engine oil, Fram Ultras, (german) laundry soap, and beer.
UD
Originally Posted by Snagglefoot
Notice the crowds at Walmart?
The very people that decry the loss of manufacturing jobs in the US
Notice the crowds at Walmart?
The very people that decry the loss of manufacturing jobs in the US
I'd pay about 15% more for the exact same quality (which is almost never the case) just to support US workers and keep the money in the states, easily 30% more (approaching whatever it takes, even >300% more in some cases) if that's what it takes to get me something that I subjectively deem as acceptable quality for my purpose of that widget. Some things are more important and more used than others.
As others have mentioned it also depends on where the alternative was made. To save enough money I'll buy tools made in Taiwan, Europe, Japan, but avoid Chinese tools whenever possible, as well as anything that has rubber because typical Chinese rubber smells awful and disintegrates much faster. However in recent years I have found that the average quality of Chinese imports is better than it used to be. There's still plenty of junk at rock bottom prices but also some decent products made in China to US specs.
As others have mentioned it also depends on where the alternative was made. To save enough money I'll buy tools made in Taiwan, Europe, Japan, but avoid Chinese tools whenever possible, as well as anything that has rubber because typical Chinese rubber smells awful and disintegrates much faster. However in recent years I have found that the average quality of Chinese imports is better than it used to be. There's still plenty of junk at rock bottom prices but also some decent products made in China to US specs.
I'll pay 30% more for "quality" but there's no middle class answer. "Better" tools like Trav brags (which are made in a 1st world country if not USA) about are about 300% more than the big box stuff when I pick it up in post-Xmas clearance. The garagejournal forums are good for spotting sales on "good" stuff but it's less convenient than tripping over it locally.
It's not just tools either, stuff like hot dogs are either $8/1 or $1 apiece.
Incidentally my USA Danahar Kobalt ratchet had 36 teeth, operated roughly, and died in 6 months. The Taiwan replacement has 72 teeth, is smooth, and is going on 7 years now.
It's not just tools either, stuff like hot dogs are either $8/1 or $1 apiece.
Incidentally my USA Danahar Kobalt ratchet had 36 teeth, operated roughly, and died in 6 months. The Taiwan replacement has 72 teeth, is smooth, and is going on 7 years now.
Originally Posted by Pelican
Originally Posted by Snagglefoot
Notice the crowds at Walmart?
The very people that decry the loss of manufacturing jobs in the US
It's not that simple.
NAFTA decimated the furniture manufacturing and apparel industry in my area. At one point, a town close by had the highest unemployment rate in the whole country. Jobs that were being created were low pay, and did not pay a living wage.
There was a special on PBS recently that told the whole story about what happened here, and what is happening now. It's getting better now, but it has taken two decades to get to that point, and it will never be what it was...at least not in my life time.
Originally Posted by Snagglefoot
Notice the crowds at Walmart?
The very people that decry the loss of manufacturing jobs in the US
It's not that simple.
NAFTA decimated the furniture manufacturing and apparel industry in my area. At one point, a town close by had the highest unemployment rate in the whole country. Jobs that were being created were low pay, and did not pay a living wage.
There was a special on PBS recently that told the whole story about what happened here, and what is happening now. It's getting better now, but it has taken two decades to get to that point, and it will never be what it was...at least not in my life time.
Up till this past year, I was ok paying 30% or so higher for USA made. I have recently been surprised however, certain household goods, some tools, small nick-nacks, despite being USA made were surprisingly poor quality. I have made my peace now with paying a premium for anything of quality regardless of country of origin.
Too many people see things that are actually Made in USA but the "parent company" is foreign-based, even though they employ US-based workers. To me, if a majority of manufacturing is based here in US, and they are paying US-based paychecks, it is worth more than a "US-based company" with 85% of its manufacturing base overseas.
My parent company is based in Belgium, but has the 2nd largest manufacturing base in the industry in the US... and pays over 20k US-based jobs in an industry that has been family-driven for at least 6 generations in two plants I have worked in. Do I like the fact that the company is internationally-owned? Not really. Do I like the fact that they still employ 20k Americans at hourly rates of $21/hr+, with the average around $27/hr+? You're darn skippy, even if I dislike some of the USW and GMP tactics at my current plant. IMHO, as much as I dislike some of the European social trends, some of their "green" habits would seriously support some better manufacturing jobs in the US if people would just quit buying plastic and move back to glass. But I digress...
My parent company is based in Belgium, but has the 2nd largest manufacturing base in the industry in the US... and pays over 20k US-based jobs in an industry that has been family-driven for at least 6 generations in two plants I have worked in. Do I like the fact that the company is internationally-owned? Not really. Do I like the fact that they still employ 20k Americans at hourly rates of $21/hr+, with the average around $27/hr+? You're darn skippy, even if I dislike some of the USW and GMP tactics at my current plant. IMHO, as much as I dislike some of the European social trends, some of their "green" habits would seriously support some better manufacturing jobs in the US if people would just quit buying plastic and move back to glass. But I digress...
So you would pay a premium for a robot to assemble a product in the US versus a robot doing the same in China? In all likelihood it's the same brand of robot.
If you are talking specifically about human craftsmanship then it depends on the craftsman and his or her work. Country of origin doesn't play in this equation.
If you are talking specifically about human craftsmanship then it depends on the craftsman and his or her work. Country of origin doesn't play in this equation.
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Originally Posted by CT8
I try to buy made in USA as possible because I would rather pay some one to work than to pay for some one to be unemployeed . It costs the same in the end.
Don't forget the American you pay can now afford to buy from you or the company you work for.
That's the real promise!!! What goes around.....
I try to buy made in USA as possible because I would rather pay some one to work than to pay for some one to be unemployeed . It costs the same in the end.
Don't forget the American you pay can now afford to buy from you or the company you work for.
That's the real promise!!! What goes around.....
Originally Posted by SubieRubyRoo
You're darn skippy...
You're darn right I am!
I'm sorry I couldn't help myself...
But it depends. I prefer Mitutoyo calipers and micrometers at work, but Starrett scales. My Whirlpool stove and dishwasher both have the "USA" sticker on it but I can't remember if that means it was actually made here or just assembled here off the top of my head. Microwave is an Amana (China, was dirt cheap brand new at $120), and I'm not sure on my Whirlpool fridge. Got Harbor Freight tools, 1 Canadian 300 and 1 American Caliber, but I buy used vehicles. It's gotta feel better quality to justify the normally higher price for me.
You're darn skippy...
You're darn right I am!
But it depends. I prefer Mitutoyo calipers and micrometers at work, but Starrett scales. My Whirlpool stove and dishwasher both have the "USA" sticker on it but I can't remember if that means it was actually made here or just assembled here off the top of my head. Microwave is an Amana (China, was dirt cheap brand new at $120), and I'm not sure on my Whirlpool fridge. Got Harbor Freight tools, 1 Canadian 300 and 1 American Caliber, but I buy used vehicles. It's gotta feel better quality to justify the normally higher price for me.
50% more easily, but it had better be worth it.
Taiwan is probably equal for tools at least, but made in the USA gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
I can't wait until they start selling Craftsman made in the USA again. I will buy some immediately.
Taiwan is probably equal for tools at least, but made in the USA gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
I can't wait until they start selling Craftsman made in the USA again. I will buy some immediately.
Originally Posted by koffy
On old craftsman hand tools, I wouldn't mind paying 30 percent more, on liquor it can be 50%, on a real guitar: no problem if it's 85%,,,,, that's my case, how about you?
Depends on what it is.
I make purchases based on quality.
On old craftsman hand tools, I wouldn't mind paying 30 percent more, on liquor it can be 50%, on a real guitar: no problem if it's 85%,,,,, that's my case, how about you?
Depends on what it is.
I make purchases based on quality.
Originally Posted by Zee09
Originally Posted by CT8
I try to buy made in USA as possible because I would rather pay some one to work than to pay for some one to be unemployeed . It costs the same in the end.
Don't forget the American you pay can now afford to buy from you or the company you work for.
That's the real promise!!! What goes around.....
The company I work for makes products for the global market.
Originally Posted by CT8
I try to buy made in USA as possible because I would rather pay some one to work than to pay for some one to be unemployeed . It costs the same in the end.
Don't forget the American you pay can now afford to buy from you or the company you work for.
That's the real promise!!! What goes around.....
The company I work for makes products for the global market.
Highboy
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I ordered a Carharrt hat from Amazon. It was prime shipping. It took 4 weeks to get and came by China post, but the tag on the hat said "Made In The USA".
That's hilarious, l like to support local economy and yes good products can be made elsewhere but that's not the norm
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