View Poll Results: Does 'Made in the USA' products matter much to you?
Yes




29
41.43%
No




38
54.29%
Made in China is better




3
4.29%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll
Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
When buying a product does it matter much to you where it was made? Much of the stuff 'Made in USA' is of better quality imo.
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
Yes, when I can find it, it means something.
But cheap is nice too, sometimes.
I'd pay a little more for Made in the USA stuff, but 90% of the time there isn't a clear choice between a USA and China product in stores. I'm sure I could go out of my way to find an alternative, but that would be too much work.
Maybe we can pay Chinese workers to run around finding Made in USA products for us?
But cheap is nice too, sometimes.
I'd pay a little more for Made in the USA stuff, but 90% of the time there isn't a clear choice between a USA and China product in stores. I'm sure I could go out of my way to find an alternative, but that would be too much work.
Maybe we can pay Chinese workers to run around finding Made in USA products for us?
#5
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
The label is Made In USA. The fabric, the people who made it, are probably housed in China.
#6
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
When i read the title the first thing i thought of was that for me personally, I think it still matters for guitars. Maybe that is a bit of snobbery based on stories of crappy Asian and Mexican made guitars from the 70's and 80's.
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
Isn't it true that if something is made in one of the US territories (Guam, Puerto Rico etc) they can still use the "Made in the USA" label?
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
It's always a plus to find stuff that's made in America, however rare it may be these days. I sometimes wonder if we've forgotten how to make stuff, or if the union's involvement has made shit too expensive for people to consider in this economy. They should limit the amount of stuff that comes into this country from sweat shops around the world long enough for us to get back into the game. Put a few people back to work in the process too.
#11
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
I catch these Made in America pieces from time to time on the news. They are eye opening. I recommend watching a few. They'll feature a company and their struggles and just do a whole piece on the company to get the word out. Then months/years down the line they'll revisit the company to see if things improved.
Here's a piece they did on a home made 100% from American made materials, everything from the shower down the nails and staples. They actually did a follow up story about sending out a list of materials to contractors across the nation to see if they could get them on board in an effort to create more jobs.
Every year they set a goal for their viewers to spend on US goods at Christmas citing it will create X number of jobs. Last year's goal was to spend $60 on American made goods. They'll follow a family trying to find toys made here and stuff like that.
They're really interesting. That being said, companies should make it a whole lot easier by tossing the flag and a MiA logo clear on the package.
Here's a piece they did on a home made 100% from American made materials, everything from the shower down the nails and staples. They actually did a follow up story about sending out a list of materials to contractors across the nation to see if they could get them on board in an effort to create more jobs.
Every year they set a goal for their viewers to spend on US goods at Christmas citing it will create X number of jobs. Last year's goal was to spend $60 on American made goods. They'll follow a family trying to find toys made here and stuff like that.
They're really interesting. That being said, companies should make it a whole lot easier by tossing the flag and a MiA logo clear on the package.
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
#13
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
Depends on what it is. IE - I bought a VW a couple years ago, it was assembled in Mexico. My buddy bought the same VW last year, it was assembled in Tennessee. His car is already falling apart, mine just crossed 125k and is still going strong.
Food products though, I great prefer from the US of A.
Food products though, I great prefer from the US of A.
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
That is all.
#16
DVD Talk Ruler
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
On some things it doesn't matter to me and but on others it does. Pet food for example. If you want to kill your pet - get them food from China. If you want the latest electronic gizmo - from China is fine. I prefer to buy USA whenever possible but choices are limited.
Of course, and I know this goes without saying, I avoid anything from Canada.
Of course, and I know this goes without saying, I avoid anything from Canada.
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
The company I endorse for (Spector) makes their flagship basses in the US and they are basically functional art. But they are VERY expensive. You can get a very similar bass built in the Czech Republic, also built by hand, for less than half. There is good quality outside the US, but you have to be careful.
When it comes to the auto industry, I'm still not convinced made in USA is better quality. I moved to imports in 1999 and have yet to go back. Tired of all my GM's and Ford's in the 90's falling apart after 80K.
#18
Moderator
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
How often is this really an option? I can't think of a time where I was staring at two similar products side by side on a store shelf, one made in China and the other made in USA.
#21
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
On some things it doesn't matter to me and but on others it does. Pet food for example. If you want to kill your pet - get them food from China. If you want the latest electronic gizmo - from China is fine. I prefer to buy USA whenever possible but choices are limited.

#23
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
I've actually been surprised at how nice some Korean instruments are built, specifically Schecter and PRS SE. The Fender Made in Mexico stuff is very hit or miss, but I don't use or like Fender anyway.
The company I endorse for (Spector) makes their flagship basses in the US and they are basically functional art. But they are VERY expensive. You can get a very similar bass built in the Czech Republic, also built by hand, for less than half. There is good quality outside the US, but you have to be careful.
When it comes to the auto industry, I'm still not convinced made in USA is better quality. I moved to imports in 1999 and have yet to go back. Tired of all my GM's and Ford's in the 90's falling apart after 80K.
The company I endorse for (Spector) makes their flagship basses in the US and they are basically functional art. But they are VERY expensive. You can get a very similar bass built in the Czech Republic, also built by hand, for less than half. There is good quality outside the US, but you have to be careful.
When it comes to the auto industry, I'm still not convinced made in USA is better quality. I moved to imports in 1999 and have yet to go back. Tired of all my GM's and Ford's in the 90's falling apart after 80K.
I drive a 2001 Toyota with 140K miles and she's still kicking.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
I'd probably still be driving my 2001 Camry as well if I didn't trade up to a Highlander, which was just as good.
#25
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Does 'Made in the USA' matter much to you?
Japanese made guitars are usually very good quality, as are American made (for the most part). I'd put Korean next, then Mexican and then anything else after that.
Having said that, you can find a great Mexican guitar or a really crappy US made guitar. I've seen $2000 Gibsons that aren't worth a quarter of that. It's pot luck sometimes.
Having said that, you can find a great Mexican guitar or a really crappy US made guitar. I've seen $2000 Gibsons that aren't worth a quarter of that. It's pot luck sometimes.