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| Do not boycott. |
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45% |
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| Boycott selective products from China. |
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50% |
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| Boycott all products from China. |
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5% |
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Krazykats
Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Total posts: 5530 Location: B.C. Canada Gender: Male |
 Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:00 pm
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Like horsefeathers! I'm not a big shopper, but I try to buy North American first, but even 20 years ago, you had to look around quite a bit to find textiles made in Canada or the U.S. (I remember when the Levi Strauss plants in the U.S. were closed down, for example). Today, when I do my (rare) shopping for clothes, I'm actually delighted when I find something made in North America.
| Koronin wrote: | | The issue with trying to drive an American car is knowing which ones are actually made in the US. Toyota actually manufacturers more of their vehicles that are sold here in the US than Ford or GM do. Although I do know that the entry level GM (Pontiac and Chevrolet) cars all made at the Lordstown, Ohio plant. I'm not sure what the names on them are at this point. They used to be the Caviler and the Sunfire, but have changed names at least twice since then. (That is the plant my dad used to work at and retired from.) |
That actually reminds me of a funny story. Having had a long association with the auto workers union, I always leased vehicles made by Canadian or U.S. auto workers. I leased a Cavalier thinking I was doing well, and then someone suggested it was made in Mexico. Horrified, I looked at the serial plate on the door frame and, sure enough, Made in Mexico. Very embarrassing.  I'm not certain which year it was that production was shifted to Mexico, but this was in the mid-ninties I made this discovery (about 1994).
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Last edited by Krazykats on Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Koronin
Location: Gallifrey Gender: Female |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:08 pm
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I know in the late 90's all the production for the Cavilers and the Pontiac version were brought back to the plant my dad worked at. As far as I know that is the only plant in the world that makes those cars. If I remember right it was right after NAFTA was signed the auto industry moves tons of their assembly plants to Mexico. However around 95-96 time frame they started bringing that production back to the US because of the horrible job the plants in Mexico were doing and all the recalls due to bad production which never happened in the US plants. At this point the last I knew those cars are now made only at the plant in Ohio. I do that the Bowling Green, KY plant is the only to ever make Corvettes from the day that plant opened. Many of the other cars and trucks you really don't know where it's coming from. I'm actually not sure where my Monte Carlo was made. However, I bought it used so the only people making money on it when I bought it was the dealership. BMW also has a huge car plant in South Carolina.
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| MidgensMom |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:23 pm
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I drive a Chevrolet Cobalt. It was assembled in Lordstown, Ohio. Even if it were assembled in Mexico or Canada, I'd rather the money go to an American company-our automakers are really struggling.
As for clothing, I check labels, and will try to avoid Chinese-made items. It is harder and harder to do that and still pay a comparable price. I don't make enough money where I can say price isn't the deciding factor in many of my choices. I try to at least buy from American companies when I can, and made in the USA as well, but it has gotten harder. |
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| Smokey |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:21 pm
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Just for the heck of it, HF, look at the bottoms of all of your coffee mugs and see where they come from.
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Melinda
Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Total posts: 2892 Location: Texas Age: 33 Gender: Female |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:30 pm
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When it comes to cars, it's not so much where it's actually MADE that I'm concerned with. All automakers assemble cars in different countries, and use parts from many different companies, which are made in many different places. Saying "made in X country" isnt really the issue. It's where the company is based in....the bottom line profit benefits the company's native country more than it benefits the area that it is made in. Buying a Chevy in India from GM Worldwide benefits the US based GM. Buying a Toyota in Brazil benefits Toyota Japan. Sure, the employees that work in the factory are paid with profits, but the impact is much greater for the company's native country.
| Quote: | | I realize that my shopping habits are perhaps radically different from many (most?), but can anyone explain how it's almost impossible to avoid products from China (or anywhere, but China specifically since it's been named)? |
It comes down to cost, IMO. If you are shopping in a cost-friendly store, like Walmart and Dollar Stores (these are the worst, off the top of my head), they are going to be filled with inexpensive products from China. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, they shop at the dollar store because they can get all kinds of things extremely cheap. Almost every thing you pick up at a Dollar Store is made in China. For me, cheap isnt better. It takes a little more effort and generally, a little more money to find things that are made in the US or Canada. And in my opinion, the proof is in the pudding. I'm too much of a penny pincher to buy cheap things that dont last.
Electronics are a different story, though. |
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| Horsefeathers! |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:41 pm
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| Smokey wrote: | | Just for the heck of it, HF, look at the bottoms of all of your coffee mugs and see where they come from. |
Most of my mugs are used and some come from China as does a lot of stuff I'm sure I own. However, since I bought them secondhand (and some were gifts), they've already done their time in the retail chain and my purchase went to benefit local businesses and charities. It came from China (and elsewhere), but I didn't buy it from there. Make sense? |
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| oneeyedpeke |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:43 pm
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| I will only buy a Nissan, no matter where it's made. |
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Melinda
Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Total posts: 2892 Location: Texas Age: 33 Gender: Female |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:55 pm
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| Smokey wrote: | | Just for the heck of it, HF, look at the bottoms of all of your coffee mugs and see where they come from. |
Not directed at me.....but that's just one thing I love about FiestaWare! Made in the USA! I'm a collector....all of my dishware is Fiesta. |
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| Horsefeathers! |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:59 pm
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Yeah, I'm not anti other-place purchasing if the quality is better. I do what I can to benefit my own community, but if it means sacrificing quality, no. I have always had a fondness for Toyotas and Hondas, but in '01 felt all patriotic and junk and bought a '99 Chevy Malibu (because I ain't buyin' nothin' brand new!) that had a sticker that said it was made in a US plant. That car is nearly ten years old and is still a fantastic car. Color me surprised. It may be enough to make me buy domestic again in the future when the time comes (such as when this one collapses in a rusty heap which is a long way down the road, I hope).
Anyway, if the economy is counting on me to stimulate it, it ain't going to happen just because I'm so unlikely to buy most things new and I'm very unwilling to go into debt for most things (cars, electronics, furniture, almost anything). I'm actually a bit alarmed that our economy is so dependent on frivolous and IMO irresponsible spending, but that's a different debate. |
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Koronin
Location: Gallifrey Gender: Female |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:08 pm
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I also look for quality. I also am not anti purchasing from other countries as long as the quality is good. I know products from Europe and Canada are typically as good of quality as stuff made here. Also Japan same thing, esp when it comes to electronics.
As for vehicles. I wanted a Monte Carlo when I got my car. I ended up with a great one year old used Monte Carlo from a Chevy dealership that is about a 45 minute drive from me because I refuse to have anything at all to do with the local Chevy dealership. (Badly run, and really don't care about the customers. I've also heard horror stories of dealing with the owners). So instead of using the one in Mooresville, I drive to Newton and bought my car from Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet. Great people, great service dept. I still take the car there for service. Our new truck we got through CarMax. We were looking at the Toyota Tacoma's, and ended up buying a used Ford Ranger. It had exactly what hubby wanted in it and it was the right price also. The funny part is we now have two Ford Rangers (old one is 1987 and new one is a 2005). That is the biggest reason he wasn't looking at the Ranger, because we already have one and thought it would be kind of silly to have two. Well we have two now and both are black. Actually all three vehicles are black. But the old Ranger has been great and hopefully the new will be just as good to us.
Melinda, who sells FiestaWare?
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Melinda
Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Total posts: 2892 Location: Texas Age: 33 Gender: Female |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:10 pm
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| Horsefeathers! wrote: | Yeah, I'm not anti other-place purchasing if the quality is better. I do what I can to benefit my own community, but if it means sacrificing quality, no. I have always had a fondness for Toyotas and Hondas, but in '01 felt all patriotic and junk and bought a '99 Chevy Malibu (because I ain't buyin' nothin' brand new!) that had a sticker that said it was made in a US plant. That car is nearly ten years old and is still a fantastic car. Color me surprised. It may be enough to make me buy domestic again in the future when the time comes (such as when this one collapses in a rusty heap which is a long way down the road, I hope).
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There is a lingering belief that many people still cling to......that domestic cars are --I have a Potty Mouth--. This was true during a period in the 80's and early 90's, but it's certainly not true anymore. Everyone has their own experiences and opinions (and being part of the auto industry, I've got experiences with untold numbers of cars, of all brands), but warranty rolls on all brands are about the same when you compare them. The US stepped up their quality control considerably since the mid 90's. And if you like your Malibu, you should see the brand new ones. Even I'm impressed.
Posted Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:14 pm:
| Koronin wrote: |
Melinda, who sells FiestaWare? |
As in who makes it? The Homer Laughlin China Company. http://www.hlchina.com/fiestaretail.htm
If you mean where to buy it......I usually get it at Dillards or Macy's. I've also seen it at Linen's N' Things (probably good sales now!) and I think I've seen a limited selection at Kohls before.
Last edited by Melinda on Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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| Horsefeathers! |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:15 pm
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I meant to ask:
Are you reading judgment in my tone, Smokey? I'm trying very hard to specify that my shopping habits are just me and not meant to reflect what I think anyone else should do.
If you'd asked about my computer, you'd have busted me wide open. 
That was my new big ticket (to me) foreign purchase, but I will likely buy refurbished in the future.
Melinda, remember that I'm significantly older than you. I vividly remember domestic vehicles of the 80's (K Car, anyone?) and early 90's. A lot of the earlier vehicles were rock solid, though. We have a '72 Chevy truck that's built like a tank and has been impossible to kill. My husband's dad bought it brand new and it's been a work horse for over 35 years.
I long for a '77 Monte Carlo.
spelling edit
Last edited by Horsefeathers! on Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Koronin
Location: Gallifrey Gender: Female |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:27 pm
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Melinda, yes I meant where to buy it at. I'll check Linens N Things out when I'm in that area later this week. Otherwise we have Khol's here in town so I'll see if they have any. Otherwise I'll have to do a search to find where a Macy's or Dillards is at. I think possibly the new mall has one of them, but I'm not sure.
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| MidgensMom |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:55 pm
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| Koronin wrote: | I also look for quality. I also am not anti purchasing from other countries as long as the quality is good. I know products from Europe and Canada are typically as good of quality as stuff made here. Also Japan same thing, esp when it comes to electronics.
As for vehicles. I wanted a Monte Carlo when I got my car. I ended up with a great one year old used Monte Carlo from a Chevy dealership that is about a 45 minute drive from me because I refuse to have anything at all to do with the local Chevy dealership. (Badly run, and really don't care about the customers. I've also heard horror stories of dealing with the owners). So instead of using the one in Mooresville, I drive to Newton and bought my car from Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet. Great people, great service dept. I still take the car there for service. |
I agree about quality-that comes first, but then I'm not going to pay significantly more for an item of the same quality because of where it was made.
And LOL I bought my Cobalt from Earnhardt too-the ones at the local dealership were much more expensive for the same model with the same features and comparable mileage. They are great up there, and totally worth the drive. |
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Koronin
Location: Gallifrey Gender: Female |
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:52 pm
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LOL, I agree the drive is worth it to go up there and get the service they give you. I didn't even check out the local one when I needed a new car. I just drove up there to see what they had.
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