i hope this is ok to say but i prefer to buy made in usa when possible. you would be surprised how many nice things are still made here at walmart. including a lot of things that are of interest to wet shavers. like that salsa bowl everyone likes. i just don't think it is fair for an impoverished worker to make us something that is in fact honestly a luxury item. there other things from canada,france etc and those are fine with me as well. i am glad at least some stuff is still usa made at walmart. i did not think this post was appropriate for the shaving forum so i hope it is ok here. i have nothing against developing countries except the treatment of the poor people. i hope many of you will look where a product is made.
walmart usa products
- Thread starter rassage
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I actually bought socks made in the USA some time ago when my luggage didn't made it to my destination and Walmart was the closest store to buy some needed items like socks and underwear. The socks were Hanes brand.
Um, Big Flash....
I heard on NPR (National Public Radio) recently that WALMART imports more goods, per annum, from CHINA than all of Great Britain.
RIP Sam Walton
I heard on NPR (National Public Radio) recently that WALMART imports more goods, per annum, from CHINA than all of Great Britain.
RIP Sam Walton
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Yea, I was thinking the same. The last numbers I saw indicated that over 90% of items sold at Wal Mart were imported from China. I don't doubt they may have some "Made in USA" items, but I don't think I have ever come across any.
And no need to apologize for liking to buy "Made in USA" items. I like the idea too. However, there are many, many things that simply are not made here anymore. Other items are simply cost prohibitive compared with imported items. It is a sad reality.....
And no need to apologize for liking to buy "Made in USA" items. I like the idea too. However, there are many, many things that simply are not made here anymore. Other items are simply cost prohibitive compared with imported items. It is a sad reality.....
Ya' know - I always thought that WalMart's USP was, at one time, the fact that all their product lines were Made In The USA.
Am I wrong?
Am I wrong?
wal mart's philsopy change after Sam Walton died. All they want to do is buy cheap and sell high, maximize profit and to hell with American workers and industry. I think now the unoffical name of china mart is more appropriate.
Another note, if you look at their grocery dept, specifically fresh meats, and read the labels carefully you will see that steaks, roasts, ect., are all "injected with up to a 10%solution"
They do not say solution of what.
By any measure if you buy an item selling for say $4.99 per pound you are basically paying $4.99 per pound for water that makes up most of that solution!
Another note, if you look at their grocery dept, specifically fresh meats, and read the labels carefully you will see that steaks, roasts, ect., are all "injected with up to a 10%solution"
They do not say solution of what.
By any measure if you buy an item selling for say $4.99 per pound you are basically paying $4.99 per pound for water that makes up most of that solution!
Walmart gives me the heeby jeebies. (Yup, we've got them in Canada, too.) Admittedly, I got a prescription for contact lenses there (cheapest anywhere!), but I try n' avoid it otherwise. Granted, it's not always possible to afford "the best" quality products, but I've been trying to purchase more US, Canada and Europe-made goods lately, or at least use companies with otherwise good practices and products, even if they do outsource labor to places like China. I'm really tired of low-grade junk that falls apart. Take footwear, for example - and this is just my recent experience - my last pair of made in China, pseudo-dress shoes lasted six years - remarkable by today's standards...
But recently I purchased a pair of lightweight, casual brown leather shoes. Made In China. Over $100. The outsole began to separate after 2 days. This was preceeded by another, costlier brand which had the same problem, in addition to a tongue which, according to 2 cobblers, hadn't even been sewn in correctly and creased into my foot every time I had the shoe on.
I recently saw a video featuring Alexander Kabbaz, a US-based custom shirt maker and luxury men's clothier. Now - few of us could afford his shirts (I sure know I can't!) and it isn't necessary to spend that much on a bespoke shirt to get a good fit, should that be the route one takes - but I only mention this because he was talking about mass produced garments, and stated that (if my memory serves) the average mass produced shirt (which often comes from China, India, etc.) takes only 8 minutes to be produced. That equals a tidy profit for the producers and retailers on a garment made in what may be questionable worker conditions, of dubious fit and lower end materials.
It's certainly possible to produce good quality goods overseas - all you need is a skilled workforce, the right materials and equipment and high standards - and such products do exist - however, my experience and opinion is that they are outweighed by junk merchandise, and if it's at all possible, one is better served in the long run to save up for something of superior craftsmanship and quality (which often but not always) entails being made it North America or Europe.
Anyway, rant over - I just can't believe the prices some of these mass produced goods go for and still​ they fall apart.
But recently I purchased a pair of lightweight, casual brown leather shoes. Made In China. Over $100. The outsole began to separate after 2 days. This was preceeded by another, costlier brand which had the same problem, in addition to a tongue which, according to 2 cobblers, hadn't even been sewn in correctly and creased into my foot every time I had the shoe on.
I recently saw a video featuring Alexander Kabbaz, a US-based custom shirt maker and luxury men's clothier. Now - few of us could afford his shirts (I sure know I can't!) and it isn't necessary to spend that much on a bespoke shirt to get a good fit, should that be the route one takes - but I only mention this because he was talking about mass produced garments, and stated that (if my memory serves) the average mass produced shirt (which often comes from China, India, etc.) takes only 8 minutes to be produced. That equals a tidy profit for the producers and retailers on a garment made in what may be questionable worker conditions, of dubious fit and lower end materials.
It's certainly possible to produce good quality goods overseas - all you need is a skilled workforce, the right materials and equipment and high standards - and such products do exist - however, my experience and opinion is that they are outweighed by junk merchandise, and if it's at all possible, one is better served in the long run to save up for something of superior craftsmanship and quality (which often but not always) entails being made it North America or Europe.
Anyway, rant over - I just can't believe the prices some of these mass produced goods go for and still​ they fall apart.
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Walmart is an easy target of globalization trends because they are a very large retailer and run an efficient supply chain business which squeezes margins from the producer. Given their US & worldwide presence, it's not that surprising they import more Chinese goods that all of Great Britain. Likewise China is one of the biggest exporters because of their sheer population size, otherwise we would be focusing on some other developing country. Much is made about exploiting workers in these developing countries, when many of these people are eager to take these higher paying jobs as compared to living off the land, at wages that would be very far below the poverty level if they were living in the west. My point is that the situation is not so simplistic or easy to dissect.
I think most of us prefer to buy local, from people in our community, but its not always possible. So what to do? I don't want to be Luddite, but the loss of whole industries is even more concerning, as it will be hard to bring those back or take them on a new direction once they are gone.
I think most of us prefer to buy local, from people in our community, but its not always possible. So what to do? I don't want to be Luddite, but the loss of whole industries is even more concerning, as it will be hard to bring those back or take them on a new direction once they are gone.
- Thread starter
- #9
something dawned on me just now. if they can sell something for say $3.00 made in china and the same item for the same price made in usa. only one thing comes to mind. they are exploiting workers right here in america then! if everyone keeps shopping and working at these places many people right here will just get deeper into poverty. many people cannot choose not to shop there. many people cannot choose not to work there. therein lies this very complex problem. which i obviously cannot solve by any means. so really i do not even know if it helps i am just another person that is unhappy with the situation. meanwhile the waltons are reaping huge rewards for this. i suppose that is capitalism or something. you are free to be rich or poor! i moved to my family farm once retired. i no longer run it for profit. there is no longer profit to be made on a family farm. am i sad, yes. not to mention the one place within 30 miles is walmart. all the rural mom and pop's are gone. so all i try to do is buy all the usa and european products there i can. now i think i just realized that does not even help anyone! another thing of interest is they are widening there product base. to other developing countries other than china! they are very smart, don't get me wrong. they obviously realize china may become the next japan and are prepared for this financial trend. i hate it but i am no one that can change anything. the machine is too big for any of us to change it.
Walmart is the single largest importer in the US. They're bigger than the next three importers....combined.
Walmart imports so much product that they have seriously considered buying their own ships to bring cargo from China.
Walmart imports so much product that they have seriously considered buying their own ships to bring cargo from China.
- Thread starter
- #11
I don't want toss a grenade in the room, but you can't blame Walmart entirely. You have to consider the price of doing business with unions and the corporate tax rates as the roots of driving factories and jobs overseas. China is exploiting our politics.
Just be glad shave soaps arent made in China yet.
I live in a part of the country that has some of the best quail hunting areas known and, in large part, supported by large Southern plantation hospitality.
I can remember when Sam Walton was alive. It would seem that he liked to drive his pickup truck around and visit his stores unannounced to observe how they were being run. He, apparently, enjoyed quail hunting and came to our area to do both. Unbelievable now, but back then, you could purchase an item from "Wal-Mart" and could take it back a year later, without a receipt and get your money back. "Made in USA" banners and signs were seen thru-out the stores that I frequented back then. Now today, while I have no qualms about where "Walmart" procures their goods...as long as they don't swing the American flag over someones home or farm that has been foreclosed on.
Make no mistake, I certainly believe in leaving politics, religion and guns at the front door here. But, I declare, when something puzzles me, I have to ponder on the matter and try to reach for an explanation that makes sense to me.
Case in point:
The long checkout lines in Walmart stores with around 30 'human' check out registers and only 2 cashiers.
My take on this, I go to a Walmart to get just a couple of items. Once inside the store, I think to myself, hell, if I am going to stand in line for 30 minutes I might as well fill up a cart or two....$$$ Ka ching $$$ (no pun intended )
I want to see the DVD "The High Cost Of Low Prices" but can never find one in a Walmart. So, will I have to pay more for it if I buy it at a Target Store ? I surmise that I will never know? No matter, I can see it for free.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jazb24Q2s94
And then there is..........(sigh)
Ultimately, I suppose it is the consumer, not unlike myself and you - if you shop at "Walmart" - who has the power to cast a vote with our wallets on how "Walmart" should or should not conduct their affairs....
I can remember when Sam Walton was alive. It would seem that he liked to drive his pickup truck around and visit his stores unannounced to observe how they were being run. He, apparently, enjoyed quail hunting and came to our area to do both. Unbelievable now, but back then, you could purchase an item from "Wal-Mart" and could take it back a year later, without a receipt and get your money back. "Made in USA" banners and signs were seen thru-out the stores that I frequented back then. Now today, while I have no qualms about where "Walmart" procures their goods...as long as they don't swing the American flag over someones home or farm that has been foreclosed on.
Make no mistake, I certainly believe in leaving politics, religion and guns at the front door here. But, I declare, when something puzzles me, I have to ponder on the matter and try to reach for an explanation that makes sense to me.
Case in point:
The long checkout lines in Walmart stores with around 30 'human' check out registers and only 2 cashiers.
My take on this, I go to a Walmart to get just a couple of items. Once inside the store, I think to myself, hell, if I am going to stand in line for 30 minutes I might as well fill up a cart or two....$$$ Ka ching $$$ (no pun intended )
I want to see the DVD "The High Cost Of Low Prices" but can never find one in a Walmart. So, will I have to pay more for it if I buy it at a Target Store ? I surmise that I will never know? No matter, I can see it for free.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jazb24Q2s94
And then there is..........(sigh)
Ultimately, I suppose it is the consumer, not unlike myself and you - if you shop at "Walmart" - who has the power to cast a vote with our wallets on how "Walmart" should or should not conduct their affairs....
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There's another way to look at this. Walmart has been a pioneer at avoiding unions, minimizing the taxes it pays, and importing goods from China and other countries with large, impoverished populations. None of Walmart's US employees are represented by unions, Walmart has never had a contract with a union in the US, and Walmart repeatedly has been found by our courts and administrative agencies to have violated US law to keep it that way. As for American corporate taxes, Walmart is no worse off than any other American company. Sure, China is exploiting this situation, but Walmart is exploiting the US by minimizing the amount of US-made products available in its stores.
The "impoverished worker" you speak of would probably be much worse off without their job. Labor jobs will go to under-developed or developing countries because it is obviously cheaper for the company to do business there but it also provides jobs to those who either didn't have jobs before or were working jobs that were less desirable to them before the new labor job came into their area. There is a lot of good research out there that shows that kids and women who work in these factories had to resort to things like prostitution or selling drugs before businesses were there for them to work for. Take away these factories and what happens is people like you and I will end up paying higher prices for the same goods and the people who were once working these factory jobs are back on the streets selling their drugs or bodies. So I don't know about you but I like to buy cheaper products when they are available and I also like to know that those products are providing people with a better standard of living and a decent wage, compared to what they were like before.
http://archive.mises.org/17202/sweatshops-tacos-and-wal-mart-what-are-the-critics-criticizing/
http://archive.mises.org/16420/quick-musings-on-sweatshops-and-immigration/
http://www.independent.org/pdf/working_papers/53_sweatshop.pdf
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This is what you call running a profitable business. The opposite to what you are saying would be running a loss, in other words, out of business.
People are forced to shop and buy at Walmart? Paying cheaper prices at Walmart is going to get people deeper into poverty? Since when did paying cheaper prices, as opposed to higher prices, force people into poverty? Last time I went to Walmart, I payed $40 for a charcoal grill that would have cost me roughly $90 somewhere else. That means I got to keep $50 in my pocket. Using your logic, I should have paid the $90 price for a grill to stay out of poverty?????
Edit: Would be nice if there was some sort of script for the forum that catches when someone makes separate posts back to back (like I just did) and just combines them into 1 reply. I've been on forums that do that and it saves some space.
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Many excellent points, but I'd draw the line at child labor (which violates all US trade agreements). Given the choice between helping a US worker (or other first world worker) or not, I'll buy the US product. Typically, the quality is much higher, too, at a minimally higher price, so I'm helping myself at the same time. Frequently, we don't have that choice.
Problem is, if the child doesn't work in some of these countries, the family starves. It's tough to do but we can't compare the standard and cost of living where we live, for example, to what people in much worse conditions have to deal with on a daily basis. By doing so, we lose site on the reality of the situation. It would be absolutely wonderful if children in certain places of the world didn't have to work and could focus on other things but the bottom line is, they can't. But if we give them the freedom to decide whether this is going to be more of a benefit to them or not, the productivity in the given region can only go up, meaning that standard of living will eventually get better and cost of living will go down. It simply doesn't happen over night, though.
Personally, I don't care where a product is made from. I've been outside of the country and have met and become friends with people from many different places in the world. The common trend, no matter where we are all from, is that we are trying to make a better living for ourselves and another thing I've learned is that this only happen through free trade. If it is better and cheaper over there, then I'm better off paying for that then the more expensive product over here. The net result is a win/win because they sold their product and I obtained one that I wanted, keeping more money in my pocket to spend other places or simply save for a rainy day.
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