Re: Sold American!
 

Any guys shifting more to buying online?

Full disclosure....I do this from time to time....although I do like going out and actually 'living' the odd shopping trip to an actual store.
In addition, I don't think that when I've shopped online that I've paid much attention to where the item is made...thus making me part of the problem I suppose....go figure.

Coley:chevy:

Re: Sold American!
 

The Answer; Yes.

Your comment about buying online causing you to pay less attention to where it's made makes me raise another point I ponder a lot.

Somebody, special-K I think, has made points about banks and corporations.

I agree.

Wall Street and the big banks and corporations created smoke screen that lets them get away with a lot.

Mutual Funds.

Most people think the money on Wall Street belongs to the greedy banks and greedy brokers. No, they are the ones that profit the most from the money, but the money is invested by blue haired teachers, factory workers, bus drivers etc. that have retirement accounts.

Mutual funds have made it easy for the handlers of the money to do what ever they want without repercussion from the investor.

If a company is failing, the CEO walks with his bonuses anyway, because the investors don't even know which company they are invested in.

Mutual funds are the best way to invest, but they also make corruption easier.

I have my 401K in mutual funds and have done very well. I don't take the time to see what is going on as long as it provides a good return.

All that rhetoric and got nowhere. :lol:

Re: Sold American!
 

It was "Sold American" in the '60s. Now it's "Sold America". You know, the first thing that made American great economically was tobacco.

Re: Sold American!
 

[QUOTE=special-K;8110508]Nope, curdled right up. But... the sides are steep so the oatmeal never boils out. Tapered bowls will make you a nice mess in the microwave if not careful.


I always lay a double thickness of paper towels under my oatmeal in the microwave.

Re: Sold American!
 

I tell you, steep sides are your friend. Discovering this was a major improvement in my quality of life. That's real important when you're still sleepy headed fumbling some breakfast up while coffee is still brewing. I do buy foreign-grown coffee.

Re: Sold American!
 

If you think that people who buy Toyotas are sending money to Japan, then why not buy stock in Toyota (symbol "TM") and rake in a dividend of aprox. 3% per year. Toyota is owned by the public and traded on the NYSE. This is the case with most big corporations to my knowledge. It truly is a global economy. Thousands of people and companies in China own stock in Ford and GM as well and rake in dividends and make huge profits buying and selling stocks judiciously.
So I guess it comes down to where is the work force, not where is the home office. -BA

Re: Sold American!
 

The dollar amount of a stock means nothing except when it last split, if ever.
By the way, Toyota stock has been virtually stagnant for the past three years.

Re: Sold American!
 

I started a long diatribe but decided to say this.

GM and Chrysler should have been allowed to go bankrupt.

The taxpayers suffered a 10 billion dollar loss because of mismanagement.

Re: Sold American!
 

Carhart coat I referenced earlier...hmm...

Re: Sold American!
 

I saw some crap about the owner of Macintosh saying it's a myth that manufacturing went to China for cheap labor. He says the reason he plans on continuing to use Chinese labor is because of their higher skill level. Now calm down, let's not start a riot. That pure BS still has my feathers ruffled. Screw him and his self-righteous lying a...a...you know what I mean. If that is true, then why am I not seeing a higher level of quality in the products? Or maybe he means damn good work for $3.25hr because that's what they average at those jobs. One fact I know, China has gone from 90% unemployment to 10% and I guess you can get by ok on $3.25.

Re: Sold American!
 

well, I for one would like to see where this "higher skill" is. as I mentioned in another chinese manufactoring thread, there quality is somewhere between junk and crap....
bought a bar-b-q 3 months ago. after much searching and reading reviews and seeing what my buddy's bought, I went and got a Weber. Made in the US, well built, 10 yr warranty. after 2 months of fantastic grilling with it, the ignitor just up and died. weird, made in America, and only lasts 2 months???
lady at Weber says i'll send you a whole new ignitor system, free of charge, under warranty- cool!
now I know why the ignitor only lasted 2 months- made in china. cant belive Weber is putting their name on a product that lasts 2 months, not good for your reputation.
wondering how long the new ignitor will last....:smoke:
Attachment 1721111

Re: Sold American!
 

Just take a close look at that high priced new car you've bought!
Surprize!
Most of or many of the parts were made elsewhere and assembled elsewhere!
Yes,even your GM product!And Ford and Chrysler!
Now,tell me again why we are losing our jobs?
Because we buy that overseas made stuff!
Mike.:chevy:

Re: Sold American!
 

America has done this to itself. Everybody wants something for nothing, and the businesses here have listened and outsourced labor to give them just that.

Re: Sold American!
 

Absolutely true.
Anyone who shops Walmart or harbour freight is, for the better part,.... part of this cycle.
As we all quietly know, the wallet often rules the day and the choice....

That said, with every passing year of 'outsourcing' to these countries their improving economies pushes their wages and salaries higher....which will make it increasingly tougher and tougher for them to offer super cheap stuff or labor.

As a result, there will be a tipping point...and the labor market here in North America will return to providing better value relative to product cost.
Unfortunately the north american unionized work model has done itself in since the '70's and is due for a complete tear down, rebuild and rebirth for a modern, competitive economy.

Coley

Re: Sold American!
 

I have worn these Red Wing boots for years. They are super comfortable to boot. (No pun intended) :lol:

My latest pair.

Re: Sold American!
 

Not true.
We as citizens didn't do it to ourselves.
The people we voted into office did it to us years ago. One word (well, maybe it's four :lol:) Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Google it.

Re: Sold American!
 

Technically, your both right.

Re: Sold American!
 

I remember as a youngster seeing Globe Master tools in grocerie stores ,, they were cheap and lots of people liked cheap tools .. they bent and broke and came loose but every one kept buying them,, pretty sure the were Japenese made

so ,,if thats when the big companies tested us to see if we would continue buying them cheap tools ,,they for sure got us doing it now ,, Except its mostly China ..

I like the thought mentioned above about when the Chinese workers start getting higher wages ,,then that will maybe bring the making of a lot of products that we buy from over there to right here ,, might not be in my life time ,,but sometime

Re: Sold American!
 

It is 100% true whether you believe it or not. The people you vote into office are ALL liars and hustlers...it amazes me how many people still believe the crap that comes out of their mouths :haha:

Just read some of the threads on this board. “What’s the cheapest way?” “How cheap can I get this for?” The main consideration is cost and the lowest cost wins. Cheap cheap cheap, like a little bird :lol: Yep, WE did this to ourselves.

Re: Sold American!
 

Unfortunitely by then we may have to import workers to do the work as many places cant find workers that can pass a drug test now .

Re: Sold American!
 

I agree that people wanting to save pennies no matter where the product came from really helped, but it's the chicken or egg syndrome. It is more the prospect of greater profits that took our jobs overseas. YES, and saving a few pennies is what made people fall for it. If we were paying a price proportionate to cost of production we would be paying '50s prices for everything. Then hellya, we'd be looking to save that much! I don't see "made in China" making my Levis cost any less. I see no change in cost. What I see are jeans made with a denim of what seems to be 1/2 the weight that don't perform as well at all. They cheapened the quality while reducing their cost to produce to a fraction. It's Mr Big Fat Cat up top getting richer yet that is the problem and we are here to serve them. Our untrustworthy politicians and those guys are one in the same. They play golf together, which they write off as a business expense, with all the expendable income they have from paying a lower tax rate than we who support this country.

I go to Walmart now because this is after the fact and resisting is counter productive. What's done is done. I resisted for years using these new big box stores in favor of small local business (still do). Our dollar is buying less and less while daily expenses keep going up. Utility bills now equal more than I used to pay for rent with utilities included. We aren't making a proportionately larger income. I have protected the American worker with every purchase and service that is possible. Always did and always will.

Re: Sold American!
 

Well said. I agree.

Re: Sold American!
 

Man, this thread got a lot heavier than I intended.

I thought we would just exchange American Made goods finds.

I could rant forever about the political facet of this, but we should probably go to a "news" website for that.

Re: Sold American!
 

I just ordered one of these made by Imperial Trailers. The company is based about 20 miles from me and builds a high quality product.

Re: Sold American!
 

Now that's a nice trailer AD.

Did Santa drop that off?

Re: Sold American!
 

Thanks Larry. Kind of a Santa deal. It was time for an update to the one I bought in 1990, and as usual for any bigger purchases, we discussed it for about 5 years. Rigid bridge construction, torsion axles, Dexter spindles, 23 foot deck, ... lots of nice features. Will probably be the last open car trailer I need to buy.

https://imperialtrailer.com

Re: Sold American!
 

Cheers! to great things MADE IN THE USA :flag:

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/gpzxpz5dsqg..._4515.jpg?dl=0

Re: Sold American!
 

Smokin' Brothers wood pellet fired grill (made in Missouri) can sure cook up some tasty meals.

Re: Sold American!
 

That's my style!!!! Mmmmm

Re: Sold American!
 

If you ever get a chance to do the Jack Daniels tour, by all means do it.

A story from the tour guide on one tour we took.

They let you smell the whiskey fermenting in big vats. The tour guide lifts the lid, and quickly drops it.

He said one day a little boy smelled the goods in the vat and looked at his mother and said, "That smells just like Grandma".

Re: Sold American!
 

When I grow up I want to be perfect

Re: Sold American!
 

The tour is definitely on my bucket list. I better get to it.....

Re: Sold American!
 

I loves me some Jack! been back to Lynchburg and I'm a Squire :D

tour is definitely worth it these days since they have been permitted to allow sampling ;)

sadly, had a cell phone picture storage failure and lost all of the tour photos along with 9mos of other stuff :(

haven't cracked that $175 Sinatra yet, bought three at the time, gave two away as gifts :)

this is my pride though, dual signed ducks unlimited bottle from white rabbit ;)

master distiller

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/j3jcp30tqyy...iller.JPG?dl=0

master taster

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/hb19puq9o8w...aster.JPG?dl=0

Re: Sold American!
 

I bought two of the Sinatras and opened one for tasting on special occasions. It's good stuff.

Re: Sold American!
 

Might like Toby Keith he sings made in America likely wrote the song there.

Re: Sold American!
 

It's cold and I'm sure glad I have Pendleton and Woolrich blankets on the beds. The woodstove made in Vermont is keeping me warm with local fuel wood. Been staying close to home this week. Doing some woodwork, got all my USA Delta shop tools out. I look at my woodworking tool collection and it is almost all made in USA. The exceptions are specialty tools only made by that company. None from any of the recently most popular country of products being sold, or others. There have always been certain things from other countries known for being the best available. I'm into preserving and protecting USA labor and products, but I never believed no other country has the right to make and sell things same as we do.

Re: Sold American!
 

Snap-on.
I'm a weekender mechanic so don't "need" the best' But I work with guys who do and they have a lot of snap-on gear. I have to admit the tools feel nice, and seem to fit the nut better.
If you think Snap-on is expensive to begin with, Try buying them from a Canadian dealer. But they are US made right ? Canadas biggest trading partner ? That's gotta be worth a premium.
I was almost at the point of buying a several hundred dollar 3/8" drive socket set when I noticed the "Made in USA" stamp that was on all the older sockets that I had amired, Was nowhere to be seen on the new stuff. Hmmmmmmm

Re: Sold American!
 

All my woodworking handtools are pre 1905 Buck bros. that my father collected and left to me. they pretty good tools. John Buck started in Sheffield but came to U.S. and started company.Ethan Allen was one of his first hires.:chevy:

Re: Sold American!
 

I have been shopping for acoustic/electric guitars.

I can buy a very nice sounding Ibanez (Japanese company) for $330.00 or a used USA made Martin for $1,500.

I have been dragging my feet on this one.

Re: Sold American!
 

Just never buy one online , gotta get your hands on them, you can feel the edges and such and feel the playability. I send mine to my bro in NH, he lives by one of the best luthiers in the country.