Buying American is it really worth it?

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Originally Posted by MarkCO

If I can, I buy products from US companies, with US workers with US sourced materials. If I can buy from a Colorado company, all the better. When we started Carbon Arms, we had some tough decisions to make. But, everything we produce is US made by US citizens with US materials. It costs more, but that is how we roll.

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I do that when I can -- or at least try to avoid buying from Commie countries (yes, I refuse to buy Russian or Chinese ammo or guns) -- but it's often difficult even when you're willing to pay more. I've found a good source for dress shoes for work -- and it really doesn't cost much more than buying Chicom-made shoes at Macy's or Dillard's or what have you -- but try to find quality tents or backpacks made in the U.S. It's often hard to find stuff made in the US even if you were willing to give a little up on quality.

Stossel is against "Buy Local" as he thinks buying the best-made or least expensive puts pressure on local manufacturers to up their game and I agree with him to a point but I'm still willing to pay a little more for equal quality made locally versus Chicom slave labor. A lot of times it really comes down to the specific product(s) and manufacturing practices as I'd rather not subsidize the AFL-CIO's destruction of the American economy either.

I agree Aloha_Shooter.

Car Batteries for instance...I only buy US Made Spirocell designs...better quality, twice the price, no kids in India died in the making of my battery.

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Originally Posted by MarkCO

Car Batteries for instance...I only buy US Made Spirocell designs...better quality, twice the price, no kids in India died in the making of my battery.

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List the American-made brands for the rest of us. Is Optima (expensive) one of them? How about the ones you get at Autozone (Duralast)?

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Originally Posted by kidicarus13

I will never buy a vehicle based on sympathy or patriotism. I will always buy based on what best fits my current needs.

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[Beer]


My thoughts exactly. If there's a better productfor less money than an American product, then that's what I'm going to buy. That's the essence of capitalism. If all Americans bought the best product instead of buying based on the feelings of being a patriot, American products would come down in price and would become higher quality. If that's what you do then that's just fine, but don't look down on others for buying otherwise.

delete

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Originally Posted by HBARleatherneck

you cant compare a full size truck to a little jap car COFI. of course the truck is going to wear first. it is 3 times the weight and isnt used for driving to starbucks only.


i have a 94 f350 crew cab 4x4. it had 208,000 miles of hard pulling and work before it needed anything but brakes and oil changes. I have a 1995 E350 15 passenger van, and it also runs great and has needed nothing but 1 set of brakes and oil changes. I have a 2003 ranger that I also bought new. It has 145,000 miles on it. and it has never needed anything. I did replace the clutch and brakes a few months ago. But, they were actually still in perfect shape (amazingly) but, since I had everything disassembled, I replaced them anyway. That truck gets used like a full sized truck.

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Exactly, comparing a 2k lb car to a 5k lb truck is not right, the truck is meant for pulling, towing, hauling, there are more drivetrain parts in a 4x4 truck vs a FWD car. Their will be more maintenance and repairs. The heaviest thing a honda carries is a lesbian to star bucks! My Chevy CO has 40k on it and hasnt even had an oil change in 20k.

2007 Silverado 4X4. Last week I left the GPS on overnight and it was very cold, killed the battery. So I tried to start it but the motor barely turned over. Put the charger on the battery, let it charge. Then go to start it, but the door locks, overhead lights etc. don't work. It won't start! I replace the battery with an Optima. Still no start. I google the truck forums and folks say the (BCM) body control module is shot. I call on the OnStar for a free tow to the dealer. I tell the service manager at dealer truck is on its way. The next day I get the truck, $563. $200 for labor and programming the module, 300 bucks for the module. Optima I bought from Sams club won't fit due to angled ground battery clamp. I got the right battery from Batteries Plus for $170 plus tax. If I had the money I'd buy this First Gen Dodge....

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3557669953.html

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Originally Posted by MarkCO

Loyalty, Patriotism and Ethics are long gone when it comes how people choose to live, much less their purchasing decisions. The VAST majority of people, Americans included, do what they "feel" is best for them. Yes, it is often selfish, short sighted and hollow, but that is the Amreica we now live in.

If I can, I buy products from US companies, with US workers with US sourced materials. If I can buy from a Colorado company, all the better. When we started Carbon Arms, we had some tough decisions to make. But, everything we produce is US made by US citizens with US materials. It costs more, but that is how we roll.

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There is no incentive for those companies on the bottom to improve their price and/or product if their company can stay afloat because of people buying with their heart and not using reason in their decision making process. The same reason we continue to see more Americans taking handouts, there is no incentive to be self-supporting when the gov't gives able bodied persons things they could otherwise work for. American companies are entitiled to NOTHING, they need to be competitive if they want to survive. If in the long run if that means American's standard of living has to go down than so be it.

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Originally Posted by Ghosty

List the American-made brands for the rest of us. Is Optima (expensive) one of them? How about the ones you get at Autozone (Duralast)?

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Optima (CO origins) is one and I think still holds some patents. Exide has one now and there are a few others under license. They are safer to make in the first place, but they also are high tech enough that kids in huts in India can't make them. I use Optimas.

I don't understand all the hate about shopping at WalMart. I mean, for most of us, it's about getting the most for your bucks, and being able to get nearly everything you need in one stop is great. Between me and the wife, we usually only go to WalMart, King Soopers, PetSmart and sometimes Target.