Made in the U.S.A, Isn't Always Made in the U.S.A

I have long since given up with reading labels. You want me to buy a product with the money I work hard to earn then make a quality product. I don't care if it is made on the moon.

I went round and round with people giving me grief for buying a Honda that is only assembled in the US. Well after all my Fords self destructed after 100,000 miles, which only takes me a couple years to put on a car, I wanted a car that would last. Plus if you look at the big three a lot of those aren't made in the US either.

Nope I will judge now by quality alone.

I hope you didn't think I was mad, nah, just stating how I make my decision. :)

I have no way of knowing where each individual part is made, so if one brand of product says "Made in the USA" and the other says "Made in Japan" then yes, I will pick the one that says "made in the USA." Might not be 100% best, but it's the best I can do with my first-hand knowledge.

(Did y'all know that many brands of condoms aren't made here? Many are from India and Japan. I try to buy USA at all costs!)

I research where my stuff comes from.

You may think that is impossible...But when you do not have the money to be buying stuff alot...you have time to research.

I buy nothing that is not sustainable for other people. I.e. My kids wear Toms. Because of the one for one. Now. TOMS are made in china. Which sucks. I hate that factor. But they are not made in ''Sweat shops.'' They are humane factories. And pay living wages. So it is a made in China Label I can live with I guess.

When it comes to big products..We do not buy them. Our TV was a gift. The washer and dryer came with the house, and would be replaced by my sister and BIL. All our appliances are second hand or more..So with that respect I do not look into where it is coming from...Because I either do not have a hand in it...or I used no $$ for it.

My car I know is not made here. I drive a Honda. Bought used.

Clothes I buy second hand. I do try and be extremely picky on the types of clothes I buy...because you can find stuff made in america but normally they buy stuff and rpint on them....and that still means it was partially made elsewhere.

To find clothes that is 100% made in america...You will be paying for it.

American made clothes is some of the most expensive.

I just try to be as conscience about where I spend my money and on what.

I get that you can not go to a store anymore and easily afford things made here.

What I try to do is change my patterns of shopping when and where I can. Making better choices on where I do my shopping. What products I CAN buy here, from here. What products I can buy to help out others.

Becoming an informed consumer who pays attention to the trail her life makes is one of the most important things I have learn becoming an adult.

I am glad that I am broke. Because I have had to become aware of my foot prints...because they all cost me money.

so no. It does not just NEED to say Made is the U.S.A. I need to know though that the company who makes the product is acting responsibly, and not carelessly to only benefit their profits and bottom line. It is not just about their bottom line and me having stuff. In the end it is what is left for my kids and their kids futures.

Ill add to A B's comment and say that burts bees products are made in the U.S.A.

I promise I am not flaming but the whole notion that Made in the USA=better ANYTHING (quality, price, treatment of workers, et al) is misleading at best and jingoism (colloquially, not literally) at worst. For example, every time we purchase produce from a grocery store that is 'made in the usa' we are supporting farms/farmers that pay migrant workers subsistence wages (the federal law covering farm workers does not require minimum wage just that they be paid as agreed when money is due and in a timely way). Doesn't it seem a better approach to strive towards purchasing from companies/manufacturers that operate ethically, treat workers fairly, pay a competitive wage, don't either inadvertently or intentionally harm workers, customers, or the environment or is that just an impossible dream of mine?

Personally, I'd rather buy "Made in ANYWHERE" than a clear-cut tag that says "Made in China"! Have you REALLY noticed HOW many things are made in China? Probably for 80+% of the stuff we pick up every week (not food) the cheapest choice is made in China.

Here's a link with a LOT of websites.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/MadeInAmerica/made-america...

Really, J., I think the first baby step that is not being done by lots of consumers is to look for the label and be aware!

It might be good for people to mention products that they know are completely or partly made in the US, just so the rest of us will know too.

It's true that "buying American" is not an simple matter. Business is multi-national. I think it's good for people to do their homework, though, and be knowledgeable. If each of us researched our gifts and our other purchases before we put out the money, I think it would have an impact eventually.

When the US comes out with a quality car that I can afford, I'll sure look into it. But at the moment I must stick with what I have. I'm not giving up my camera, either! But I do check things out - with my eyes open for that the tags really mean.

And if we find stores or online companies who give accurate information and at least *want* to sell US-made (or partly made) items whenever they can, we should contact them and commend them. Makers and sellers need to know that there's a interest.

Yes, price is important, too! I'd love to give my grandchildren some of those beautiful hand-knit things made of handspun wool, but they are way out of my budget. There are handicrafts and other products, both in the US and outside it, that I'd like to encourage, but my husband hasn't made his first million yet.

Just an FYI, most "Step 2" kids products are made in the USA.

Good Point. I think it's good to look for the label, better to do your research. Give people credit for making the effort and being conscious, even if it's sometimes in vain. THANK YOU for pointing this out. I think even having the conversation is a good thing. I hope everyone talks to thier kids about this too. :)

I would love for everything I buy to be made/manufactured/assemble/produced/born/created in the USA and fully support the home team but alas, I'm usually looking at the price tag to see what is the most affordable for me and my family.

Here is an iphone article:

"Though much is made of the fact that they're "Designed in California", land of sun, sand and Hollywood, the majority of Apple's products are actually 'made' in Chinese sweatshops.

The average factory worker at Longhua, China makes roughly $50/month, or $600/year. Out of this, half is deducted by the factory owners for room and board.

Many consider China to be a communist dictatorship, which indeed it is, but it is apparently large enough for another economic structure: Capitalism. These factories represent the 'slavery wing' of the West's capitalist network, and they just happen to be housed in what masquerades as a Communist country. Products produced for slave wages in these far away 'plantations' are then bought and sold on the mainland for inflated prices."

Personally I buy what I need when I need it & don't bother to look at labels, seriously there is no way around ONLY buying 'made in the USA'.

It's hard to find things that are completely made in the USA, but it can be done.

There's this place that sells things that are only %100 made in America.

"100 percent from product to packaging. So not only is the maple syrup tapped from U.S. trees, but it’s also bottled in U.S.-made containers. Toys are shrink-wrapped in American-made plastic, clothing and American flags stitched with homegrown thread. "

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/buffalo-ar...

http://www.saveourcountryfirst.com

When it comes to fruit, veggies, some cheeses, breads, etc., we shop local or made here. We are members of the local co-op. Our neighborhood only allows local shops to reside (we live in an historic area), so we have a barber, many restaurants, a co-op, coffee shop, volunteer only movie theater, etc that have been here for many years and are one of a kind. We love it, and we often just walk to the village instead of going to a chain restaurant or chain grocery store.

However, when it comes to other products, such as what I put in my home, appliances, or cars, I want QUALITY. Those are the products that my husband and I research like crazy to find out what's best and most cost effective. Sometimes that does include items that are made in America, but often times, it doesn't. Both our cars are foreign (Honda and Suzuki). Why? Because they're better quality, and they last longer. Washer/dryer/television? Same thing. I do like to be able to buy products that are made here, but I'm not going to sacrifice my hard earned money and quality to be able to do that. To be honest, I feel slightly bad for saying that, but it's true.

I actually read a book about a mom who gave up Made in China for one year.
Made in Denmark was OK, as was Mexico, Canada, Sweden.
Her biggest issue was finding the items that we use every day that are only made in China, i.e. printer cartridges.
It really opened my eyes. We as a society are so entrenchd in global marketing. THe average person, me included, doesn't even look at labels or when we do (at least me) I don't trust it.
I do like to buy products that I know are made in the USA, but I don't check anymore.

Nope you still have to do your research. Just like any health product that says its healthy for you...you have to read the labels!

My aunt has a pecan orchard and makes cutting boards and ornaments as well as selling pecans. That is def made in Texas 100%. But I am not sure where the wax , glue and other supplise she buys is from??

I make a clay angel ornament. The clay is shipped in from Cali but bought from a small mom and pop art supplies store. The gift box are bought from the US and I think they are made here but I am not sure! The bow and ribbon are definatly made in China or Japan. Everyonce in a while there will be a business card completely in Chinese !

Like an idiot I went to a mom and pop home own shop yesterday to purchace a Christmas gift. Thinking I am supporting the localy owned businesses. While I was I did not think about the fact that he is a import shop. Not reading the fine print of the store or thinking about where the local shop purchaced there idems. I am sure it was from Mexico!!! Duh!

I suppose old habbits will take a moment to change gears and think about what I am really purchacing!

many products also have additional tags on them that say "assembled in America from parts made in __________ and __________"