I have been considering the difficulty level of truly buying American and started to try some research on it today. In looking over all of the products in my home I found that many of them do not say where they are made, they list only a “distributed by” line, but it caught my attention that some list a distributed by address somewhere domestic and always in smaller less noticeable print a made in (insert foreign country here) line. I am interested in how you dealt with this issue in your challenge and any advice you have on finding out where an item was made when it is not listed. I looked at about twenty websites prior to finding yours, and must commend you on what a simple straight forward format you have used. The fact that your guidelines encourage people to get started in their challenge in such an accessible way without providing a set up for failure,guilt, and discouragement is really wonderful.
This documentary might interest you.
The Last Train Home re: the migration of Chinese workers from their factory to their home. http://video.pbs.org/video/2145998633#
I am hoping to have a Made in USA Christmas in 2011. One problem I have is that so many of the boxed Christmas cards in stores are made in China. Hallmarks boxed Christmas cards are made in China except the Hallmark UNICEF cards. But there are some card companies that make Christmas cards in the USA. One company is right here in Illinois. http://www.stockwellgreetings.com/christmas/
I could not have said any better what you wrote about buying American wines. I am not a wine snob nor connoisseur, but I have been fortunate enough to be around some people knowledgeable of good – reasonably priced – American wines, and i enjoy a good wine, especially medium reds.
I would like to add the additional thought that American restaurants grossly overcharge for wines, including American wines. This has a chilling (no pun intended) effect upon not only selling American wines, but the chance to introduce American wines to a wider, appropriate market of potential buyers.
I think the American wine makers should appeal to the American restaurateurs to stop this unseemly practice.
Randy I’d like to offer you an intellectual proposition to understand the roots of our economic demise in light of your effort. Karl Marx suggested free trade as the fastest means to destroying capitalism, while Daniel Webster claimed the primary reason we have our US Constitution was to stop the economic chaos unleashed by free trade with Britain under the Articles of Confederation. Yet, astonishingly we have three political parties which have adopted unwittingly Karl Marx’s advice, while the Chinese have adopted Webster’s advice. The Tea Party seems to be oblivious to Webster’s claim, and the average Republican has no idea that Lincoln was a protectionist, and that his party remained protectionist until the 1960s when it became an economic mirror image of the Democrats who have historically been free traders. The dangerous error therefore the modern politician makes is the failure to make a critical distinction between free international markets and free domestic markets. The reason for this, as the new website rescuingeconomics.wordpress.com suggests, is that there has never been a sound theory of economics. Explaining the intricacies of this failed dynamic is the goal of the sites’ associated book. It is possibly the first time in the history of economics that a sound theory has been proposed to make sense of the long-forgotten history of American protectionism. Take a chance and preview it on Amazon. Maybe you will find the logic compelling. best regards
Hi there. We love what you are doing and bringing back the awareness of making products here.
I wondered if you might be interested in hearing our story about how we came to develop mindful supply.
Check us out online and read up. I would love to see if we can build some type of relationship to help promote both our initiatives.
Hi Randy,
I was searching for info to persuade ABC liquors in Florida to carry our product and ran across your Blog. We are a new company, just a year old, a federally licensed distillery in Idaho, making great vodka from our local potatoes. We sent off 2 bottles to the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, one of the premier ranking entities for spirits and got 94 points and a Gold Medal, making us the #1 ranked potato vodka on their 5 year international list. We rank ahead of Chopin (Poland), and certainly ahead of Absolut (Sweden/France) and Grey Goose (France) who rank down in the 80’s. We distribute in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Arkansas. But, we have been turned down by ABC liquors in Florida and by Total Wine & Spirits because “they have too many vodkas”. Yes, well over 70% of them are imports and ours is better…..much better, and lower priced than many. We are about $21 for 750 ml. So, why do US companies turn down US products and keep imports on the shelves which are lower rated and more expensive?? We certainly support your efforts and are glad we have blogs like this. Keep up the good work.
Lea Beckett, President
Grand Teton Vodka
Thanks for the email. I am very sorry to hear about your trouble in Florida. I know your vodka well. In Virginia ABC stores it sells for $19.95. And I agree it is outstanding. Honestly, where are you going to find a better vodka for the price than Grand Teton? Congratulations on your extremely high ranking. I wish you guys the very best of luck, and I’m very glad if my work promoting buy American can bring you guys a little extra business. That’s what it’s all about – talking about high quality American products like your vodka, and using that demand to create jobs here in America.
Hi. I came across your interesting website by accident. I live in the United Kingdom. Is it okay for me to buy only English products and avoid American-made products imported into my country? I know that if enough of us do this, it may harm American exports and jobs, but I’ve got to give preference to the English economy.
James, in the spirits industry almost 90% of the liquor sold in the USA are imports, the largest being Diageo, a UK company. So, you already buy only UK products… We all do. We think competition is good, and Diageo needs some competition.
Thanks for the comment. It is truly up to you what products you want to buy. I have no problem with whatever individual choice you make as a consumer. In the U.S. we are running a $500 billion annual trade deficit, bigger than any other country in the history of the world. In fact, the average American adult is responsible for $950 per month in imported goods. This is unsustainable and it is killing our economy. I don’t know how big your country’s trade deficit is (or if you have one at all), but if it is sizeable,(like our is) and your economy is struggling to create jobs, I would not blame you at all for doing what you can to create jobs in your country at a time they are needed.
I just saw your blog. Nice. I thought you might also want to have a look at Faribault Woolen Mills, a Minnesota mill over 150 years old with a great comeback story. They make really nice blankets – some that have been in my family for generations.
Thanks for the work you’re doing on this site. We’re a new American company that makes premium leather bags: full grain leather briefcases, messenger bags, duffle bags, journals, wallets & more. We source and make in the USA. Please check us out: https://jacksonwayne.com
Great report on Fox News about your products in clothing. I am 70 years and my purchases are not many. If possible please not my e-mail. I will be clanging my hammer about your Company “Made In the USA”
Where in Micchigha can I purchase your clothing line?
I was in retail clothing for about 11 years and I enjoyed every day.
I wish you continued successa and trust tax breaks and healthcare brakes
Work for you,
DonDagnall
I would like to place a trial order !!!! How do I do it ?? I do not do facebook, text or wish to chat on em !! If the razor works to my satisfaction I will reorder ! Thanks,
Hi Mr. Erwin,
I have been considering the difficulty level of truly buying American and started to try some research on it today. In looking over all of the products in my home I found that many of them do not say where they are made, they list only a “distributed by” line, but it caught my attention that some list a distributed by address somewhere domestic and always in smaller less noticeable print a made in (insert foreign country here) line. I am interested in how you dealt with this issue in your challenge and any advice you have on finding out where an item was made when it is not listed. I looked at about twenty websites prior to finding yours, and must commend you on what a simple straight forward format you have used. The fact that your guidelines encourage people to get started in their challenge in such an accessible way without providing a set up for failure,guilt, and discouragement is really wonderful.
Hi Randy,
This documentary might interest you.
The Last Train Home re: the migration of Chinese workers from their factory to their home.
http://video.pbs.org/video/2145998633#
How may a person be featured on a “Made in America” segment?
[…] Contact […]
I am hoping to have a Made in USA Christmas in 2011. One problem I have is that so many of the boxed Christmas cards in stores are made in China. Hallmarks boxed Christmas cards are made in China except the Hallmark UNICEF cards. But there are some card companies that make Christmas cards in the USA. One company is right here in Illinois. http://www.stockwellgreetings.com/christmas/
I could not have said any better what you wrote about buying American wines. I am not a wine snob nor connoisseur, but I have been fortunate enough to be around some people knowledgeable of good – reasonably priced – American wines, and i enjoy a good wine, especially medium reds.
I would like to add the additional thought that American restaurants grossly overcharge for wines, including American wines. This has a chilling (no pun intended) effect upon not only selling American wines, but the chance to introduce American wines to a wider, appropriate market of potential buyers.
I think the American wine makers should appeal to the American restaurateurs to stop this unseemly practice.
[…] Contact […]
Randy I’d like to offer you an intellectual proposition to understand the roots of our economic demise in light of your effort. Karl Marx suggested free trade as the fastest means to destroying capitalism, while Daniel Webster claimed the primary reason we have our US Constitution was to stop the economic chaos unleashed by free trade with Britain under the Articles of Confederation. Yet, astonishingly we have three political parties which have adopted unwittingly Karl Marx’s advice, while the Chinese have adopted Webster’s advice. The Tea Party seems to be oblivious to Webster’s claim, and the average Republican has no idea that Lincoln was a protectionist, and that his party remained protectionist until the 1960s when it became an economic mirror image of the Democrats who have historically been free traders. The dangerous error therefore the modern politician makes is the failure to make a critical distinction between free international markets and free domestic markets. The reason for this, as the new website rescuingeconomics.wordpress.com suggests, is that there has never been a sound theory of economics. Explaining the intricacies of this failed dynamic is the goal of the sites’ associated book. It is possibly the first time in the history of economics that a sound theory has been proposed to make sense of the long-forgotten history of American protectionism. Take a chance and preview it on Amazon. Maybe you will find the logic compelling. best regards
Hi there. We love what you are doing and bringing back the awareness of making products here.
I wondered if you might be interested in hearing our story about how we came to develop mindful supply.
Check us out online and read up. I would love to see if we can build some type of relationship to help promote both our initiatives.
Sincerely, David Grubbs
Hi Randy,
I was searching for info to persuade ABC liquors in Florida to carry our product and ran across your Blog. We are a new company, just a year old, a federally licensed distillery in Idaho, making great vodka from our local potatoes. We sent off 2 bottles to the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, one of the premier ranking entities for spirits and got 94 points and a Gold Medal, making us the #1 ranked potato vodka on their 5 year international list. We rank ahead of Chopin (Poland), and certainly ahead of Absolut (Sweden/France) and Grey Goose (France) who rank down in the 80’s. We distribute in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Arkansas. But, we have been turned down by ABC liquors in Florida and by Total Wine & Spirits because “they have too many vodkas”. Yes, well over 70% of them are imports and ours is better…..much better, and lower priced than many. We are about $21 for 750 ml. So, why do US companies turn down US products and keep imports on the shelves which are lower rated and more expensive?? We certainly support your efforts and are glad we have blogs like this. Keep up the good work.
Lea Beckett, President
Grand Teton Vodka
Lea,
Thanks for the email. I am very sorry to hear about your trouble in Florida. I know your vodka well. In Virginia ABC stores it sells for $19.95. And I agree it is outstanding. Honestly, where are you going to find a better vodka for the price than Grand Teton? Congratulations on your extremely high ranking. I wish you guys the very best of luck, and I’m very glad if my work promoting buy American can bring you guys a little extra business. That’s what it’s all about – talking about high quality American products like your vodka, and using that demand to create jobs here in America.
Thanks for the comment.
Sincerely,
Randy
http://www.elementelectronics.com/
Televisions made in the USA
Thank you for the incredible resource. I have referenced the info you provided on my website for my 100% american made product.
Hi. I came across your interesting website by accident. I live in the United Kingdom. Is it okay for me to buy only English products and avoid American-made products imported into my country? I know that if enough of us do this, it may harm American exports and jobs, but I’ve got to give preference to the English economy.
I hope people have no problem with this?
James, in the spirits industry almost 90% of the liquor sold in the USA are imports, the largest being Diageo, a UK company. So, you already buy only UK products… We all do. We think competition is good, and Diageo needs some competition.
James,
Thanks for the comment. It is truly up to you what products you want to buy. I have no problem with whatever individual choice you make as a consumer. In the U.S. we are running a $500 billion annual trade deficit, bigger than any other country in the history of the world. In fact, the average American adult is responsible for $950 per month in imported goods. This is unsustainable and it is killing our economy. I don’t know how big your country’s trade deficit is (or if you have one at all), but if it is sizeable,(like our is) and your economy is struggling to create jobs, I would not blame you at all for doing what you can to create jobs in your country at a time they are needed.
Randy
It’s so important to help create jobs here in the USA. By helping ourselves, we can continue to help others.
I just saw your blog. Nice. I thought you might also want to have a look at Faribault Woolen Mills, a Minnesota mill over 150 years old with a great comeback story. They make really nice blankets – some that have been in my family for generations.
Thanks for the work you’re doing on this site. We’re a new American company that makes premium leather bags: full grain leather briefcases, messenger bags, duffle bags, journals, wallets & more. We source and make in the USA. Please check us out: https://jacksonwayne.com
Great report on Fox News about your products in clothing. I am 70 years and my purchases are not many. If possible please not my e-mail. I will be clanging my hammer about your Company “Made In the USA”
Where in Micchigha can I purchase your clothing line?
I was in retail clothing for about 11 years and I enjoyed every day.
I wish you continued successa and trust tax breaks and healthcare brakes
Work for you,
DonDagnall
I would like to place a trial order !!!! How do I do it ?? I do not do facebook, text or wish to chat on em !! If the razor works to my satisfaction I will reorder ! Thanks,