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Will You Pay More For Made In USA?

post #1 of 28
Thread Starter 
Will you pay more for Made in USA? Not just clothes, what about home and personal items? If so, are you willing to pay more? How much more?

I just spoke to someone who was buying a BBQ. The US made one was 30% more expensive than the China made one. They were having a hard time justifying that much of a price premium. What would you do?
post #2 of 28
Not necessarily. I'd look at construction first. If it were clothes; I'd feel the quality of the fabrics of the made in China and if it's up to par with the made in USA, I'd go with the cheaper. For grills and electronics; I'd look into reviews — the Japanese products tend to have higher quality than the USA.

I'd only pay more if I'm getting better quality.
post #3 of 28
For home items it depends on the quality difference. Yes, usually customer reviews are taken largely into account.
This is not taken in consideration for clothes. A lot of it is done instinctive purchasing habits, if it doesn't add value it shouldn't be bought.

  • If same price, quality and aesthetic, I'll take US.
  • If same price, differing quality or improved aesthetic, I'll take one that wins out.
  • If more expensive price and no noticeable or marginal improvement for US made, I'll be willing to max at ~20-25% if larger purchase (more use) generally. If smaller purchase maybe 10-15% max out.
  • If more expensive and significantly improvement in quality, aesthetic for US made, I'll be willing to max at ~30-50% more generally. Especially, if it was an item that U.S. has long or even nostalgic production history.
  • If the Chinese made product is more expensive and of higher quality aesthetic than U.S. It may win out. I'll have to be extremely impressed with it before I'd make the jump to purchase beforehand.
  • If I don't need it or its non-functional, aesthetic item I only buy it if I actually need it or compels to purchase. I actively try to get rid of useless, ugly crap.


*Disclaimer* Scenarios would be very different for say of Japanese or European origin. Then I'd use a very different set of rules.
post #4 of 28
I look out for made in US and will pay more. It depends on what the item is. I could buy a plate/bowl for a dollar that's made in China but instead buy $15-20 dinnerware handmade in the US. They are non-toxic and lead/chromium free so that alone makes it worth it. Electronics are the only thing that makes it difficult and I generally look for the better quality item and not where it's made.
post #5 of 28
I generally don't care. I'm paying human beings for their work either way. Whoever I buy from will be better off, whether they live in China or Maine. In fact, if the morality of consumerism was to take any precedent into who I buy from, I'd buy Chinese and Vietnamese goods, because those workers find themselves in destitution that is only escaped via western demand. If we don't buy from them, they'll remain in poverty with almost no opportunity to escape it, and very little of it is their fault. That can't be said about the guy in Maine making boatshoes for $17/hour, who has most likely found himself in such a position because he didn't take advantage of the ample opportunities that would have allowed him a more comfortable income. Generally, I'm buying the optimal ratio of quality to value in accordance with my means, and any geographic preference is indicative of who best offers it.
post #6 of 28
Nope.
post #7 of 28
Yes - up to a point.
post #8 of 28
Would have to look at advantages and disadvantages, consult with the internet, take a day or two to think about it, and finally, flip a coin.
post #9 of 28
In many cases that label would give me pause; in particular anything automotive (not so much if the plant is foriegn owned but that's still second from an actual import).

Made In Canada? Now there's a premium label.
post #10 of 28
If comparing US vs China, I'll try to go for the US made item if I can. Not as often if it's US vs Japan or Germany.
post #11 of 28
Absolutely. I make a conscious effort to purchase non-chinese products, and Made in USA when possible.
post #12 of 28
Yes for more expensive items. I have bought too many Chinese (PRC) goods that were low quality, not because the Chinese can't make good products, but because American companies do not pay for quality products to be made there, generally. Apple seems to be one of few companies that have quality Chinese products. Just my $0.02.
post #13 of 28
I find it quite difficult to find things made in the USA. Pretty much everything here is made in China, including my home.
post #14 of 28
yes, but also depending on what it is.
post #15 of 28

If the quality is good then why not. I prefer good quality products and pay the price for it that buy cheap which does not satisfy me. But when it comes to buying or shopping we must be wiser. Just like the back to school purchasing season which we are having right now. We want our children look as snappy as possible while they pretend like they're doing their classwork. We must think about the markup on apparel while purchasing them designer jeans. Article resource: Markup on clothes has consumers losing their shirts. Become i wiser buyer in your own way.

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