<p>I was going to purchase items for my upcoming college semester, and ive always enjoyed supporting our economy and purchasing things that put money back into America and I found it was extremely difficult to do do. Is this something any one else has run into, or anyone people have even thought about. Im posting this in the parents thread because I know my first year at least my parents did most of the shopping! Any information would helpp!</p>
<p>I know when I bought for my kids, they complained about the “made in China” pencils that had terrible, useless erasers, so I had to find a different brand, which happened to be made in the US.</p>
<p>But the fact is, few things these days are actually made in the US. Good luck.</p>
<p>I think it’s a great idea to “spread the wealth”, so to speak! A google search turned up a page on <a href=“http://www.americanmanufacturing.org%5B/url%5D”>www.americanmanufacturing.org</a></p>
<p>Click on Blogs then click on Buy America in the categories menu (on the right side).</p>
<p>Go to their article listing for August 17 and click on “Made in America 101: Get your kids ready for the school year with American-made supplies”.</p>
<p>And there are more links at the end that article.</p>
<p>(Sorry for the convoluted explanation; CC doesn’t allow blog links. BTW, I have no affiliation with that web site - - just thought the list of “Made in America” products might be helpful.)</p>
<p>Hmmm. I remember when I was young, they urged us to “support 3rd world countries” by buying their products. Guess we went too far in that direction…</p>
<p>I don’t think “we went to far”; I think the situation has changed so our thinking has to as well.</p>
<p>Well, the situation didn’t just “change” like an act of Nature. If we weren’t so intent on buying the cheapest item at Walmart*, then American made goods could compete. American workers are paid more & have more protections than foreign factory workers. </p>
<p>*Or to place the blame slightly elsewhere, if WALMART weren’t so intent on selling the absolute cheapest goods…</p>
<p>I’m not saying it “changed like an act of Nature”. I’ve watched the train-wreck-of-America from afar for the past 20-something years. (Let’s not get political.)</p>
<p>If people want to buy American-made products, they have to agree with paying more.</p>
<p>If someone has less money to spend these days, then they have to buy fewer (of these American-made) products.</p>
<p>You’re right, it’s not simple. It’s a hard choice to spend more for less.</p>
<p>They just had a wonderful feature on this, pertaining specifically to college students and parents and the stuff they buy all over, on the ABC Evening News.
I came into the middle of it, but I gather it was part of a series ABC has been running about Made in America items, with anchor Diane Sawyer and reporters.
It was shown that someone at a university (Southern Methodist U, I think) could decorate their dorm room (bedding, etc.) with AMERICAN made items and save money! This was a surprise, but laziness, habit of dealing unimaginatively with vendors appeared to be the reason why college catalogs and college bookstores are stocking overseas-made stuff that may be of poorer quality and actually cost more!
Takeaway: ask your college bookstore to seek out American-made products (shower totes, bedding, etc.) – it CAN be done!
AND with the sheer number of college students/parents, buying American WILL result in significant, increased jobs here in America!</p>
<p>
It’s not Walmart’s fault that people want to buy cheap products. It might be their niche but people aren’t forced to buy there. At the end of the day it’s the consumer who decides what and where to purchase and who controls the success or lack thereof of Walmart.</p>
<p>And it’s not just Walmart - I went to Home Depot to buy a step-ladder but all they had were ladders made in China and I wanted a made in the USA product. I ended up not buying the ladder at all. My W came home from HD with a new shovel once and I had her take it back because it was made in China. Fortunately they also had a made in USA shovel which I ended up buying. It was somewhat more expensive but I didn’t care because how often in my life am I going to buy a shovel? The extra cost wasn’t significant and the quality of the product was better.</p>
<p>It’s not just Walmart but almost every store and most products that are ‘Made In China’. It’s increasingly tough to find a USA made or assembled product. I did, however, just purchase some New Balance tennies that were assembled in the USA. I think they’re the only major tennies company making anything in the USA. Look at your tennies and see where they’re made and consider this on your next purchase if you care about this.</p>
<p>When I buy tools in particular I look for ‘Made in USA’ products because I find them generally superior to those made in third world countries and especially China.</p>
<p>thank you everyone for the insight that really helps! maybe I should just make a site that only sells college dorm supplies made in america using local vendors for each area, help out the next kid that cares about putting money back into all of your pockets!</p>