Isn't anything made in the USA anymore?!?!? RANT

jecsd1 · Post by **jecsd1** » April 3, 2010, 9:12 pm

Everytime I buy something I try to buy American. I own American cars. 90% of the tools in my toolbox are USA made. My toolbox is Made in America. All this was an effort on my part to do so. I am PROUD to be American. My Grandfather fought in WWII and my uncle served in Vietnam.

Times are tight right now, for lots of folks. I took some of the money I have left, after finding myself out of work recently, and try to go buy a decent outfit for job interviews. Everything I look at is Made in Vietnam/China/Sri Lanka or some damn place. This is just one example from today. It seems we are no longer a nation of producers but consumers.

Don't people realize that every time they buy at WalMart or AutoZone or any other cheapo place. They are making the situation worse. It almost makes me angry! This nation used to be the BEST at everything. Now we are number one at nothing.

I am 29 and my wife is 25. We have even given second thoughts to starting a family because of the state of the nation and world right now. Is it me or are things worse than they've ever been?

Just a rant full of OPINIONS. please no one get offended!

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » April 3, 2010, 9:33 pm

i actually bought an extendo magnate today for twice the price (6.99 vs. 3.99 for the cheapo) because it was usa made and not chinese. doesn't happen very often though.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » April 3, 2010, 9:33 pm

Blame Wal-mart. and the people who shop there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRFDgPRA ... re=related

weezle · Post by **weezle** » April 3, 2010, 9:43 pm

I refuse to shop at Wal-mart.

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » April 3, 2010, 10:11 pm

I don't say much on these issues but Wal-Mart has supported my family for the last 18 years. So in turn, I support Wal-Mart. Don't agree with the foreign manufacturers but they have given my wife a paycheck for a long time now.

semotrucker · Post by **semotrucker** » April 4, 2010, 7:02 am

I semi support Wally World. They are the No.1 sponsor for the FLW/BFL bass tourney trail I fish. Same reason for buying a Chebby truck and a Ranger boat. I know they put alot of mom and pop shops out of business over the years but they also employ alot of people, and they do spend/donate alot of money in the communities they build in. Just my two cents.

Cam

jecsd1 · Post by **jecsd1** » April 4, 2010, 9:41 am

I'm not knocking walmart per se but it's an example. I don't think you could find a product made in america in walmart if you wanted to. Think of the boost on th economy if companies like walmart said " we're only going to sell American goods?"

Post by **Greg D** » April 4, 2010, 12:39 pm

In some ways I despise Walmart - I on the other do shop there sometimes.
Walmart is the darn near the model of the capitalist system,
offer something the people want (low prices being one of their main commodities).
I have never had an issue if I had to return something there either - they always just take it and refund my money or let me exchange with a thank you. That is pretty decent customer service for a high volume place such as they are.
They give you the ability to buy online and pick it up at the store - with no shipping charges. I know they aren't the only one who does it but i think it's a pretty cool gig.
They employ alot of people who might otherwise not have a job. Even during tough times they do quite well.
My biggest gripe is the low quality of some of the stuff - I realize the price is right for what you get but I do sometimes wish you had a little more of a choice. I suppose that they have to inventory what moves for them - they are store not a storage facility.
I buy almost all my CDs at Walmart - good selection and I can't get them any cheaper anywhere else.
I buy alot of tools at Harbor Freight - not much Chinese stuff there. Alot of it is made in the old USSR countries - quality is actually quite good for the prices.
I do however buy all my heavy frequent use tools from Lowes, Snap On, MAC, SK, etc. I have a few things I picked up dirt cheap when the Sears here in Bellevue closed up but I don't buy much Craftsman anymore. 90% of my Professional tools were Craftsman back when I turned wrenches for a living though.

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » April 4, 2010, 3:14 pm

Greg D wrote:
I buy alot of tools at Harbor Freight - not much Chinese stuff there.

Must vary by region. The one near me has mostly Chinese junk. Sometimes I'll go there with a friend and I make it a point to try to find something that is not made in China. Most of the time, my attempt is futile.

Post by **Greg D** » April 4, 2010, 4:12 pm

Charlie, may depend on what you buy there too. I don't buy many hand tools like wrenches etc. there - that stuff is all China or someplace like that. I think I have one set of impact extensions I bought there, bout it for stuff like that.
Most of the time when I go there I don't bother to look. I examine the tool for quality and buy it or not. I have a couple of the CP 1/4" angle die grinders from there - use the heck out of them. I bought the second one cause it was on sale and figured I would kill the first one pretty soon cause it's a cheap tool - that was almost a year ago and it still works great. I finally dug the other one out simply so I could have 2 different tools handy all the time without changing attachments - lazy, lol.

Paranoid! · Post by **Paranoid!** » April 5, 2010, 3:07 pm

I think Wal-Mart would sell more American made products if they were available..
Alot of american made products are higher in price because of the tax's our GVMT enflicts on these American companies.
Alot of American Co's have gone overseas because of this.
Thus loss of jobs.
Loss of American products.

I agree though!!
I bought a used highway bar for my Harley just the other day from a small Harley repair shop...Found a Made in China sticker on it!!
Hit's me every time I see'em

We cant afford to keep loosing our production to oversea Co's...

But our GVMT has to make it affordable and attractive for production to stay here.

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » April 6, 2010, 6:41 am

There's a similar topic in MEMBERS ONLY so no need to repeat rants here (mine included). Suffice to say, it's too late to complain. We've already outsourced most of our production. Lots of reasons for it, many of which the general public doesn't want to hear. I've quit worrying about it much. Nothing I can do when the choices given when buying are China, Mexico or some country I've never heard of.

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » April 6, 2010, 9:43 am

I can say one thing its been many years since I have been in a wal-mart,, they have nothing in there that I cannot get any where else,, sorry Food store NOT some people love there food stores,, rest of places in there NOT, then have to park so far away to go inside well NOT one day it will come around and bite all them in the but when if China or Ying yang goes bust then we areall screwed ,, Had to buy a new charger from MAC Tools for my cordless gun GUESS WHAT Made in Tawain,,

twotone · Post by **twotone** » April 8, 2010, 10:11 pm

I recently went to NAPA (to get the good stuff) and bought 3 wheel cylinders and they where labeled MADE IN CHINA. Went to Advance to get the one NAPA did not have in stock and saw that it was made in the USA!!!????