Is whether something is American made or not important to you?

SGT Kevin Brown — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:19:49 -0400

I am the founder and co-owner of a small tactical gear, equipment and off-duty apparel manufacturing company. We strive to develop and manufacture innovative gear and equipment that stands up to the toughest of missions, all while focusing on keeping our products American Made.

Since making our products here in the United States is our founding initiative we will not be backing down from it, ever, but I am curious to see how important it is to people that the products they use, wear or interact with are American Made.

If you said yes, please explain why. If so, are slightly higher prices acceptable? Do you think more products and services should return to being manufactured or developed in the United States?

If no, please explain why. Do you see a larger benefit from the world economy? If where your product is made doesn't matter to you, what key dynamics do you look for in picking which product to buy?

Please consider this question in regards to all products, not just the type of products I mentioned my company develops. Thank you.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 21 at 2015 2:22 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:22:02 -0400

I buy "Made in the USA" whenever possible ... which isn't too often anymore.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 21 at 2015 2:30 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:30:03 -0400

I know we still make things here in America, my question is where do we get the materials to make them? Being made in America is important, but if we get the materials to do so from foreign nation, whether ally or adversary, it cheapens the idea behind Made in America. So much for my .02.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:30:55 -0400

I look for US made on everything. I would rather pay a few extra dollars and know that I am supporting an American company, providing American jobs- than one that is out sourcing. Being from rural American, I know what it is like to have to rely on those who support American made things... so I do it in return.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:33:42 -0400

I try to buy and support small American products and buisnesses whenever possible. However after retirement I also look at thing from an economical standpoint as well.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:41 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:41:46 -0400

American made is very important to me, and I am definitely willing to pay a little more for it. Other than simply to help the American economy, here are a few reasons why.

- American standards are higher in most regards, which gives you a higher quality product.
- American owned companies are more understanding of their customers, and therefore make it easier to return or exchange products if needed.
- American warranties are generally much better, and are actually honored.
- American companies are willing to take a hit to keep their products American made rather than taking the easy way of having children of 3rd world countries make all their products to give them a higher profit margin.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:39:29 -0400

When I can, I will.

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made May 21 at 2015 2:44 PM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:44:08 -0400

Here in the last few years i have been paying closer attention to where
its made.

Response by SGT David T. made May 21 at 2015 2:44 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:44:45 -0400

It really depends on the quality of what I am buying. As much as I'd love to buy American all the time, many things do not have the quality that I am looking for. If the quality is there, then yes I will buy American even if it costs more.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:47 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:47:14 -0400

I'm pretty sure my answer is going to rub most people on here the wrong way. While emotionally, I prefer to buy American made things, I ultimately care about only two things: quality and price/value. I'm a die-hard laissez-faire capitalist/objectivist/etc, and so my object is to buy what I view as the best product/service for the best value. If that product/service happens to be American, then that's just a bonus. If an American-made product/service I'm shopping for is a noticeably worse value than a foreign one, then I won't buy it.

Competition between the producers of goods/services is core to increasing the quality of what's available in the general market, as well as lowering prices and increasing value. Increase in quality and value unaccompanied by consummate increase in real prices (over time), results in a net increase in wealth in the economy. This increase in wealth is what has lifted billions out of poverty over the past centuries, and increased standards of living across the board. Clearly I have strong opinions about all this.... @__@

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made May 21 at 2015 2:56 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:56:58 -0400

Yes. I believe that if we are to keep our nation strong, we need to keep manufacturing dollars here in the USA.

I am not 100% adverse to buying products that were manufactured abroad, but I am adverse to having my consumer dollars go to a nation that is not exactly friendly to the US.

Hecho en Mexico? That's fine.

Fabrique au Canada? No problem.

Made in China? That gives me pause.

Response by Cpl Anthony Pearson made May 21 at 2015 3:00 PM

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Thu, 21 May 2015 15:00:37 -0400

Absolutely without a doubt, yes. I will pay extra, within reason, and depending on the quality, for an American-made product or service. I especially love getting products that are made by servicemembers and/or disabled veterans.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2015 4:08 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 21 May 2015 16:08:08 -0400

I try but when you have 3 kids and your income isn't what it used to be it's not about "Made in America" anymore, it's about decent quality for a reasonable price and unfortunately "Made In America" doesn't always, "make" the cut.

Response by PO1 Alan John made May 21 at 2015 5:10 PM

PO1 Alan John — Thu, 21 May 2015 17:10:19 -0400

It is worth paying a bit more to "Buy America 1st" whenever possible. We try to do that whenever we can and hope it helps! aj

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 21 at 2015 7:46 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:46:40 -0400

I'd love to tow party line and say it's important, because it is, but the pricing structure for most items makes it cost prohibitive.

When it isn't cost prohibitive, and/or the quality is equal/greater, I lean towards American made. There are great American brands out there that deserve our support. However, the return on investment sometimes just doesn't make sense.

Response by PO2 Josh Rymer made May 21 at 2015 10:20 PM

PO2 Josh Rymer — Thu, 21 May 2015 22:20:24 -0400

I do when it is possible, but when big corporations out source the work to other countries it kind of forces you to buy forgien stuff most of the time but, american made means more to me. And also what is the name of your company? I will look at your website and be proud to support an veteran owned business

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 26 at 2015 11:30 PM

TSgt David L. — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 23:30:07 -0400

I always look for "Made in the USA" when I am buying something. I am wiling to pay a little extra for that product but some things have to be made by folks who need to make at least $15 an hour, plus union's cut, and the price of fuel to deliver the product, and whatever else figures in. All this does is make a widget that cost $13 to make in china cost $24 ea for something made in the USA. It is rarely worth anything other than a semi warm fuzzy. Is it that important to you?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 26 at 2015 11:37 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 23:37:56 -0400

Price and quality determine my purchases.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 27 at 2015 1:03 AM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 01:03:35 -0400

Not at all.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 2:04 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 02:04:26 -0400

Only in a few certain categories. Having owned, for example, over a dozen different Datsuns and Nissans, there was and there is NO finer automobile, pound for pound, dollar for dollar. It had new innovations on its cars twenty years before the Big Three were adding them. But I still buy all my underwear at J.C. Penny's, and it is Made In the USA.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 2:20 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 02:20:54 -0400

When it comes to food (produce, for example), I much prefer going to the local markets and supporting the small families who work hard, and often supply a better product. With most other things, especially large purchases like a car, I tend to lean toward the best price and overall value. In my experience, I've had much better outcomes with foreign products. If the options were equal, I might spend more time looking for "Made in America."

Response by PV2 Robert Bowne made Jul 27 at 2015 9:06 PM

PV2 Robert Bowne — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:06:43 -0400

American made Product Are always the best if you can indeed truly find them. they do exist and sometimes are a lot cheaper than Imports..