Sneaky?

nehimama · #1 01/16/08, 05:51 PM

I do my best to avoid buying anything made in or imported from China. Unless it's something I absolutely need, I go without or continue searching for an alternative.

Today, at the feedstore, I very nearly bought an animal clipper set, needing to clip my goats for the upcoming kidding and milking season.

As the clerk was getting ready to ring up my purchase, I flipped the package over to look for the country of origin. It said "P.R.C." For Pete's Sake. Peoples' Republic of China.

Apparently some companies recognize that some of us consumers would rather avoid Chinese products altogether, and this may be a poor attempt to disguise the country of origin?

I did not buy the clipper set, and will continue to look for one that is not made in China.

NeHi

Ernie · #2 01/16/08, 06:35 PM

I bought a stainless steel milking bucket last year and when it showed up it had a Chinese label on it. I thought, "for crying out loud ... we can't even make buckets here anymore?"

haypoint · #3 01/16/08, 11:22 PM

....or honey or apple juice consentrate......

indypartridge · #4 01/17/08, 04:44 AM

I often see the words "Packaged in the USA" along with a little American flag. I guess they expect me not to realize it came from China.

grief · #5 01/17/08, 05:12 AM

I thought I was the only one seeing the sneaky labeling. Another one is:
"Distributed by"
No country of origin given.
I search for USA made products also. It's getting VERY hard to find them.

nehimama · #6 01/17/08, 07:32 AM

When I do find a product made in the USA or Canada, I make it a point to let the store manager know I'd spend my money for these products rather than Chinese-made. Don't know if it does any good, though . . . .

NeHi

lvshrs · #7 01/17/08, 10:14 AM

I've been making an effort to purchase only Made in the USA also and was looking at my jeans and noticed that it says asssembled in puerto rico of USA materials.

Now I have to find jeans made in USA....I just hate trying to find jeans....

MELOC · #8 01/17/08, 10:36 AM

puerto rico is the USA.

Wisconsin Ann · #9 01/17/08, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvshrs

I've been making an effort to purchase only Made in the USA also and was looking at my jeans and noticed that it says asssembled in puerto rico of USA materials.

Now I have to find jeans made in USA....I just hate trying to find jeans....

Why? Puerto Rico is part of the United States. It's citizens are US citizens under the 1917 Jones Act. It's a Commonwealth under the United States. It has no high level administration (like president, congress) but is divided into municipalities...It's rather like a 51st state...but without the representation.

so....US materials...assembled in Puerto Rico. Sounds like a good American buy to me.

A'sta at Hofstead · #10 01/17/08, 10:42 AM

I bought towels made in Pakistan rather than China a few weeks ago... anything but China.

lvshrs · #11 01/17/08, 10:47 AM

Sorry wrong rico....Costa Rica

Wisconsin Ann · #12 01/17/08, 10:52 AM

ya know...there's ONE good thing that may come from the devaluing of the US dollar...things from out of country will become so expensive to import, that jobs will come back to the US to make the items.

maybe.

Wisconsin Ann · #13 01/17/08, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvshrs

Sorry wrong rico....Costa Rica

Altho....when you think about it, it's a LOT better than "made in China". costa rico is a democratic republic, with an elected President and "congress". their current president is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who is trying to put "free trade" into effect. They have no military (like army, navy, etc.), but pretty much just a police force for disputes. they've been a democracy for at least 50 years and are considered one of the most stable governments in Latin/South America.

so...I sure wouldn't feel bad about buying items assembled there. At least Costa Rico hasn't refused our Navy entrance to it's ports

(like china has) In fact, you'd be supporting a country that's friendly to the US...and we're running out of friendly countries

caberjim · #14 01/17/08, 01:07 PM

Made in the USA does not necessarily mean it was made in a US state. It more than likely was made in a sweatshop outside what most consider the USA. Guam, Puerto Rico, the Marinaras Islands - all US territories that don;t have to pay US minimum wage but can label "Made in the USA." And here is a shock - most of them use imported chinese laborers.

Just because it says Made in the USA doesn't mean it wasn't made by chinese workers in sweatshop conditions outside the US.

lvshrs · #15 01/17/08, 01:47 PM

I must admit I feel better about them than China! It's one of my resolutions this year to try to buy American made when possible but remembering which countries are "acceptable" subsitutes is a real challenge!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wisconsin Ann

Altho....when you think about it, it's a LOT better than "made in China". costa rico is a democratic republic, with an elected President and "congress". their current president is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who is trying to put "free trade" into effect. They have no military (like army, navy, etc.), but pretty much just a police force for disputes. they've been a democracy for at least 50 years and are considered one of the most stable governments in Latin/South America.

so...I sure wouldn't feel bad about buying items assembled there. At least Costa Rico hasn't refused our Navy entrance to it's ports

(like china has) In fact, you'd be supporting a country that's friendly to the US...and we're running out of friendly countries

watcher · #16 01/17/08, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvshrs

I've been making an effort to purchase only Made in the USA also and was looking at my jeans and noticed that it says asssembled in puerto rico of USA materials.

Now I have to find jeans made in USA....I just hate trying to find jeans....

Clearly you do not listen to G. Gordon Liddy. There's a company that 100% American made jeans, Diamond Gusset jeans. Never bought any but here's the URL.

http://www.gussetclothing.com/

texican · #17 01/17/08, 05:04 PM

If manufacturing does come back to this country, will we be able to afford their products? will there be anyone to work? at low wages? without benefits?

I'd rather not buy from China... sometimes it's the only choice...(that includes having the product.... there are always choices... one of which is to live without!)

I prefer to buy something that won't need to be replaced every couple of years...

If I need a good shovel, I'll pay 4x knowing I'll have it still in ten years...

If I need a plastic bowl, why pay a premie, when an el cheapo will do?

I've come to the point that I simply ASSUME that the product IS made in the PRC.

lvshrs · #18 01/17/08, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

Clearly you do not listen to G. Gordon Liddy. There's a company that 100% American made jeans, Diamond Gusset jeans. Never bought any but here's the URL.

http://www.gussetclothing.com/

I'll take a look at them! Thanks for the link! I'm afraid I'm one of those hard to fit people...Trying to find a women's jean with a 36 inseam and doesn't chafe while riding(I spend around 5 hours a day on horseback)is a challenge. Currently men's Wranglers are working out well. But I like to have other options.