Made in the USA

[Pedro-bot]

Just wondering what that means to everyone. Looking for opinions on what immediate thoughts come to mind when you see a product stamped with those words.

I know what connotations come to mind when I see the following:
1. Made in Japan
2. Made in Italy
3. Made in China

So, let's have it, what does "Made in the USA" mean to you?

[mitt]

Made in USA means jobs to me.  I try to buy it when ever possible.

My stereo, TV, and 1 car was made in Japan - a big part of my buying decision - implied quality.

My hiking boots are made in Europe - Italy if possible - again quality materials and build - will not buy Chinese made boots, and it is getting harder to find.  I was at a new Bass Pro shops, and 100% of the foot ware was made in China.

mitt

[Drjones]

First reaction is usually, I wonder how much of it is "Made in the USA."  Other reactions are "at least there are a few manufacturing jobs still around" followed up by "yep, this is going to cost a bit more."

[acalles]

pretty much like every thing made anywhere else. I'll pick up the item and inspect its quality, it's feel, its weight and determine if the item is worth the price regardless of where its made (that being said, EVERYTHING I've ever used from china was grade A trash and everything I've seen from Germany was absolutely top quality).

in the end it all comes down to the manufactures. For instance. Craftsman hand tools are made in the USA as are Snap-on tools.

fit, finish, and quality of Craftsman stuff is junk Compared to Snap-on, but it comes at a price.. To me, the extra cost of the snap-on is worth the higher quality. (a craftsman 12pc wrench set is like $40.. a similar snap on set would be closer to $300)

[herm]

i also think that "made in the USA" means jobs. but its very hard to draw any conclusive lines about this.
at least 8 Toyota models are made in the US, and maybe as many Ford models are made in canada and mexico. and where are the parts made?

tough call.

[erkishhorde]

i also think that "made in the USA" means jobs. but its very hard to draw any conclusive lines about this.
at least 8 Toyota models are made in the US, and maybe as many Ford models are made in canada and mexico. and where are the parts made?

tough call.

Japanese don't even consider Toyota to be a Japanese company anymore.

[DesmoDiva]

i also think that "made in the USA" means jobs. but its very hard to draw any conclusive lines about this.
at least 8 Toyota models are made in the US, and maybe as many Ford models are made in canada and mexico. and where are the parts made?

tough call.

Don't forget Subaru (owned by Toyota), BMW, and Mercedes.  They all make some of their models in the US.  

I try to buy USA made products, but sometimes, unfortunately other countries make better comparable products.  Quality is more important to me than country of origin.  

[DesmoDiva]

Oversized.
And chromed.

Unfortuately, that describes 80% of the cars and trucks being made.   

[Monster Dave]

To me it's a bit of a paradox,

Anymore "Made in the USA" means made in Mexico. Conversely, "Made in Japan" actually means that products are made in the USA, while claims of products being "Made in China" are for the most part made in China.

Oh wait a minute...even fortune cookies which are believed by most to be Chinese, originated and are still made in the USA.

Nothing is made where it says it's made...except nuclear weapons in N. Korea. They make their own stuff.

[spolic]

There was a great show with John Ratzenburger called Made in American that really explained the value behind, Made in USA.




It's People.

[Speedbag]

Made in USA means jobs to me.  I try to buy it when ever possible.

+11tb

Can sometimes be hard to find and usually costs more, but I seek out the label personally when there's a choice.

[Monster Dave]

...but I seek out the label personally when there's a choice.

With so many American companies sending production out of the country, how does a "Made in USA" label assure you in any way that you're actually buying something that was made in the USA when the parent company is the only component of the process that is actually domestic?

Here's a prime example of my point and the ever growing level of corporate hypocrisy; over the Memorial Day weekend, J.C. Penney advertised a silkscreen T-shirt bearing the slogan, “American Made.” Yet when Joe Allen, a retired apparel manufacturer in the Dallas area, bought the T-shirt, he found it actually was made in Mexicoâ€"”of USA fabric.”

WTF??

If that's not misleading I don't know what is! So again, if you actively seek out American made products, how can you tell if the product that you are buying actually is made in the USA?

This topic reminds me of one of my favorite 80's era movies:

[herm]

the hypocrisy of the whole thing reminds me of a bad hangover...
makes my head hurts, cant quite see straight, and i feel a little like i want to puke.

[cyrus buelton]

Even if it is made in the USA, you can guarantee their debt and money is either held in Luxembourg or Netherlands.

They have more favorable tax laws.


Just like 99% of companies are registered in Delaware.

[ducatiz]

This topic reminds me of one of my favorite 80's era movies:

Q:  Is a frog's asshole watertight?

A:  We berieve it is.