You can take the Buy American Challenge right now by sending an email to: BuyAmericanChallenge@gmail.com. Please say in the email: “I accept the Buy American Challenge.” Sign it with your name.
In general, taking the Buy American Challenge means committing buy American-made, -grown, or -raised goods whenever you are looking to buy an item and an American-made version of that item is available to you.
The guidelines for the Buy American Challenge can be found by clicking here. These guidelines are designed to get you started on your buy American journey. Some of those who take the challenge will adhere to these guidelines as written, while others develop a buy American program that works better for them. These particular guidelines were written to be clear and easy to follow. They allow for quite a few exceptions to the general buy American rule to make the program practical and palatable. But again, they are just there to give you a place to start.
In time, you may choose to follow a program that is even more stringent, and committed to keeping every possible dollar you spend in the U.S.A. creating jobs here. The Buy American Challenge guideline, for example, only call for those taking the buy American Challenge to buy American-made finished goods. However, some people choose to buy from only American-owned companies, and only finished goods with a lot of American-made parts content. These considerations are worthwhile to consider, but we recommend starting with these guidelines and seeing how it works for you. You can kick your buy American program up a notch once buying made in the U.S.A. becomes easy.
The Buy American Challenge has no stated time period. Some try it out for a week, while others commit to it for a lifetime. The time period you choose is entirely up to you. There also is no enforcement of the Buy American Challenge guidelines. That is up to you as well. But remember, the more you can stick to buying American-made goods, the more good you are doing for your country.
If you accept the Buy American Challenge you are likely to find it very rewarding. It feels good to know that with every hard-earned dollar you spend, you are doing something to help your country by helping to create American jobs, at a time when Americans need them the most.
You might also find that you are spending less money because you are making far fewer impulse purchases. Many are surprised by this when they begin to buy American, but it’s true, when you cut impulse purchases out of your buying habits, you will spend less money. And the things you do buy, by and large, will be of much higher quality. America still makes some of the highest quality manufactured goods in the world.
If you are not ready take the Buy American Challenge, please think about making a commitment to consider where a product was made in your purchasing decisions. Too many of us don’t even do that anymore. If you will take the time to see if a product is American-made, and have it merely be a factor in your choice of whether to buy it, that will be a major step in the right direction.
To those embarking on the Buy American Challenge: Good luck, and thank you for making the commitment! Please let us know how your challenge is going. We would love to hear about it.
Again, you can take the Buy American Challenge right now by sending an email to: BuyAmericanChallenge@gmail.com. Please say in the email: “I accept the Buy American Challenge.” Sign it with your name.
I am a personal trainer that is very interested in finding out healthy products for my clients. Are there supplements, protein drinks, etc. that you would recommend so that we can get on board with your challenge while maintaining our healthy lifestyle?
Judy,
Thanks for the question. The good thing about nutritional supplements, protein drinks, and other items you might find at GNC store is that they are pretty good about putting lots of useful information on their labeling, including the country in which they were made.
Many of these items have herbs and other materials that come from other countries, but the majority of these products are made and packaged right here in the USA. So, you have probably been buying American all along, you just didn’t know it.
Here is random sampling of some communly used supplements and protein powders on the market today:
• Nitro-Tech (protein powder) – Made in USA
• Any Whey (protein powder) – Made in USA
• Cell-Tech (creatine) – Made in USA
• Hydroxycut (fat burner) – Made in USA
• GNC Pro Performance L-Carnitine (supplement) – Made in USA
• Mila by Lifemax (ground Chia seed) – Packaged in the USA (seed not native to the U.S.)
I think you will find that your selection in this area is not substantially limited by your desire to buy American. Check the labels to make sure, but most supplements are made in the U.S.
Hope this was helpful.
Randy
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Hi Randy,
I’ve been buying American for a long time now. Due to lack of American Made Goods in various outlets, I’ve adjusted my spending to purchase online. Amazon is a good example of a site that carries many American made Items.
When in doubt, I’ll call a company directly to verify the country of origin. I’m going to keep a diary of goods I purchase that are American Made from clothes to food.
Wishing everyone the best of luck,
Phil
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Hey Randy,
This is a great idea. Sign me up for the challenge! I’ll be sure to send this along to a few people at AFSCME.
Best,
Ben M.
PS You’d be happy to know that I’ve been driving a Ford rental for the past month…
Thanks Ben. You’re signed up. Thanks for taking the challenge!
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Randy – Great site! I love #5 of challenge. I would love to buy things made in Ireland. Friends just came back and said they had a heck of a time finding items not made in ‘China’! I’m forwarding this site to friends. We have got to do something to change this situation. America needs jobs! Your site raises awareness and I love the links to shop American online. – Kathleen
Great information! I will take the challenge! I am also trying to make it easier for others to buy American, especially parents with young children. Visit my online store at at http://www.all-americanbaby.net. We carry only Made in the USA products for babies and children! Thanks for helping to raise the awareness for American-Made!
Jennifer,
Thank you for taking the Buy American Challenge. I checked out your All American Baby website and it is awesome. What a great resource for moms and dads that want to buy American when buying things for their baby. That is exactly what Americans need – one stop shopping for all their needs in a given niche market. Your site is great, and I will do everything I can to point those who are looking to buy American in your direction. I have added a link to your website on my site under “Good Vendors,” and I would love to do a story about your business in a blog article. Send me an emaiil and I will get in touch with you. Thanks again.
Randy
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there is another Vodka here next door to Austin, TX called Dripping Springs Vodka. made by San Luis Spirit in dripping springs. Blanco brewery – makers of Real Ale brand. how do they get certified?
This is the contact information for Made in USA Certified.
Julie Reiser runs it. She’s great!
Website: http://info.usa-c.com/
Corporate Headquarters:
240 West Palmetto Park Road, Suite 320
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone: 561.279.2855
Fax: 561.423.3277
Email: info@usa-c.com
Northeast Regional Office:
144 East 84th Street
Suite 6E
New York, NY 10028
Phone:212.380.1026
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If you really cared about Arlington, VA you would take up the Buy Arlington VA challenge.
Jay,
Thanks for the comment. Are you volunteering to start an Arlington chapter? Because that is next, and I’m looking for volunteers.
Yes, I would support a local business in most cases. Why wouldn’t I? For example, I bought a bottle of Wasmund’s Single Malt Whiskey yesterday (http://www.copperfox.biz/) made in Virginia. You should, it’s REALLY good. I did it because I like to support my businesses in my state and in my country. I want to create jobs here in Virginia and in America. Does that mean I think all international trade should stop? Of course not. We just need to do something about our enourmous trade deficit that is an unprecedented 5% of our GDP and is killing job-creation.
Nobody has any answers. Buying American is an answer, and it’s one the American people can take ownership of.
Randy
I’ll do you one better, Jay. I’m starting the “Buy in my Apartment Building Challenge.” You see, (as an Arlington resident myself) I don’t think that all inter-Arlington trade should stop. But right now, my apartment block is running an unprecedented trade deficit well above 5% of our GAP (gross apartment product). Nearly all of our citizens are in the service industry, and all our manufactured goods are imported. (With the notable exception of the fine wicker frames made by the elderly lady in #514.) The obvious solution is to band together and only buy the goods made by our fellow apartment citizens, who have given up their worthless service jobs to make overpriced goods of dubious quality strictly for our own consumption.
After that movement succeeds, I’ll starts the “Buy in my Flat Challenge,” where my wife and I exchange hydroponic tomatoes for fire hazard prone DIY appliances.
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THANK YOU, ABC, for calling this important issue to everyone’s attention. I was buying American before you made buying American cool! I’m happy to participate in your challenge! Go, USA!
I bought a house last year and was really upset that I couldn’t find any bedspreads/comforters/quilts or window curtains made here. I would really like to get some! Also noticed how cheap and icky the towels were in the stores; they’re made in Pakistan. (I decided to use what I have instead of buying them.) Where are the American factories that used to make such quality linens? My e-mail pal says the textile mills in North Carolina, where her relatives used to work, have been closed and demolished. So sad!
Also, I once saw a really heavy duty metal lawn sprinkler, and although it wasn’t the right season, I bought it simply because it said “Made In USA” on it. The Lowe’s cashier said lots of folks buy the Chinese-made sprinklers. She said, “you saved money because yours will last when the ones who bought the Chinese sprinklers will have to come get another one in a few months.” She estimated that one American sprinkler would outlast at least six sprinklers made in China.
I believe that’s true of ALL products! Third World factories just can’t make ’em like we used to!
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Found your website while searching for a simple lawn sprinkler (which I still can’t find one made in America). You have a heck of a task on your hands. I’ve read labels for years! I’ll continue to buy a cheaply made easily broken American made product when a less expensive foreign model is right beside it. That foreign model product can sit there till it rots in $#% before I’ll buy it.
I’ve searched for a lawn sprinkler for a month now….. people on the challenge – sort out your “wants” and “needs”. If you cannot find the American made product you seek – stop and ask yourself do you really need it? If you can do without buying the foreign product then do without it, don’t settle just because you can’t find it made in America!!
God Bless the USA,
Harry – USMC
I am having the same problem…crappy chinese made lawn sprinklers! Went to Sears and found one but it’s not the type I want. Any suggestions? Still watering lawn with a sprayer on a hose!
Melody Huber
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So nice to come across your challenge blog! I recently started a challenge myself- to find products made in USA in mall stores where many of us already shop. I’m learning about the effect our purchasing decisions affect not only our economy, but also our personal safety and health, our environment, and the human rights of workers here and abroad. Since starting my challenge, I have been buying only US goods whenever possible. I would love to talk to you more about the experiences you’ve had along the way with your challenges and any advice you might have for me with mine!
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I am in Optical business. Whenever I go to the trade shows, I could hardly find optical frames made in the USA. Even American Desinger brands, like Coach, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, DKNY…all are made in China. If we do not stop the trend, we will be controlled by the Communism country sooner or later. (I am really concerned,)
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Also, please let us know what percentage of our purchases
are from Mexico. If we are going to ‘buy in America’, let
us include Mexico.
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I accept the made in America Challenge!!
Thanks, Michelle! Good luck! let me know what I can do to help.
Randy
I have taken the challenge and it is more of a mission than a challlenge. We have to support our American trtadesmen and craftsmen and wormen.
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Title…
This is my Excerpt…
Over the last few years I have tried to find made in America items, mostly household items like today I am looking for a lamp to sit on my nightstand. I have found a few, but the least expensive was $169 and it was much fancier than I need next to my bed for reading. Anybody have a site for table lamps that has regular lamps, not designer lamps? My overall feeling from trying to buy American is frustration. I know that there are companies out there, but they do not seem to have websites to prove it. Going to town to look for a Made in USA lamp would be futile and take days, literally if I was even successful. Step up American companies and get your products on-line so we can find you.
Frustrated,
I think I might be able to help. I went to lighting Universe and did a search for “made in USA table lamps” and got hundreds of possibilities. here is a link: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/
Here is a no frills made in USA lamp for $63: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/table-lamps/norex-enterprises-7312-sv-roman-safelite-table-lamp_g837502.html
Here is a little nicer one for $111: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/general/colorado-dallas-l375-oak-leaf-acorn-table-lamp_g266183.html?linkloc=searchProductItemsName
And another for $121: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/general/colorado-dallas-lc100-27-lodge-contemporary-table-lamp_g174163.html?linkloc=searchProductItemsName
Here is a nice white glass table lamp for $136: http://www.lightinguniverse.com/general/maura-daniel-betsy-milk-glass-base-table-lamp_g840717.html?linkloc=searchProductItemsName
I hope you are able to find what you need here. I believe shipping is free on everything from this site.
Randy
Thanks for posting this link to lighting universe. There are some very nice Made in USA lamps that are still affordable. (And some gorgeous pricey ones.) I’m about to start my 1 year of buy American and I was thinking I might have to quick buy a lamp before I started. But it looks like not!
Caleb,
Working the blog with the satire….. Especially notable was “The obvious solution is to band together and only buy the goods made by our fellow apartment citizens, who have given up their worthless service jobs to make overpriced goods of dubious quality strictly for our own consumption.”
“overpriced goods of dubious quality”? Come on, man. That’s what you really think about manufacturing that employs American labor? Dubious quality? I’ll just say one thing: Melanin poisoning.
Your so-called “overpriced goods” once ensured that Americans could afford to raise families on a single salary. Productivity and cheap consumer goods are not the only values, no matter what the mainstream media may tell you.
There. I won’t deleve into politics further. Sorry. I couldn’t resist.
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I own several Drycleaners in small towns usa. All my labor is 100% American. I started about a year ago to insure that ALL products and chemicals used in the business is American Made. I haven’t made it to 100% – yet, but I am well into 90%+ range.
My question is where can I find signage showing my customers that we are American Made committed? I have found some 100% American made signs, but that would be false in my case. But I would like to find something saying that we are committed to buy American.
I will sign up to take the challenge. Earlier today, as I was doing laundry, I remembered my mom’s dryer. It was purchased in the 60s from Penney’s. Of course it was made here in the US. It lasted 40 years, yup, 40 years! I believe the only repair done on it was a new belt. There is also an old electric fan, (the kind that is all quality metal and no plastic) at my parent’s house, which was probably made in the 50’s. It still works and is still used. I just don’t understand why people have given up quality, made in US goods. One more thing I want to mention; my sister owns and lives in a bungalow that was built in 1921. A few years ago, she had to have some new shingles put on the roof. The guy who did the job was astonished to see all of the nails that were used on the roof were placed at exact measurements. He said you can never find that quality of work anymore. It’s too bad we Americans have lost our sense of pride in doing things this way.
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Hey everyone!
I am definitely taking the challenge, as I own a Made In USA Gift Store! All of us truly need to stop feeding the beast if we want to restore US manufacturing. That means punish the big box guys – who sell 90% imported garbage – by buying NOTHING from them. American made or not! Oh, they will pander to the Made in USA movement because they see it as a good PR move, but are they really changing their ways? I still barely see any sizable portion of US made goods at Walmart, Target, etc. Give your business either to local mom an pop stores or buy online from stores only selling USA goods! There is the Made in America Store, Nortons, Oh Say USA, Madeinusaforever.com, and last but not least my own:
http://www.FortuneAndGloryUSA.com
Thanks all and God Bless America!
Jason M