Australian Members

[Oli2012]

You guys realise this is for the AMERICAN store... right?

Made by slaves...

I like my stuff tear stained.

 

[Prince of Paisley]

Those stains aren't from tears...

 

[Oli2012]

Those stains aren't from tears...

Surely those sweatshop slave drivers don't let them get up to any funny business...

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]



Surely those sweatshop slave drivers don't let them get up to any funny business...

After reading you comment's I fully understand why Shakespeare wrote 'the first thing to do is to kill all the lawyers'

 

[Nolvadex]



After reading you comment's I fully understand why Shakespeare wrote 'the first thing to do is to kill all the lawyers'

But then you kill most people in this thread

 

[TheWraith]

Probably not a bad thing.

 

[Halifax]

Is there a clothing company that doesn't use slaves?

 

[Oli2012]

So long as the level of exploitation isn't extreme (eg exposure to toxins, need for suicide nets like apple has) I have no issue with lower wages in manufacturing companies.

China might not be a model democracy, but it's GDP and general quality of life for its citizens has been lifted tremendously by industry, compared to some of the 'democratic' countries in Africa/India.

 

[Prince of Paisley]

Who makes money off a $50 pair of shoes? Once you factor in transport costs, raw materials, retail's cut, factory owner's cut, etc. how much is left for the people who made it out of the $50 sale price? You would have a hard time convincing me that most of the stuff at Target, Kmart etc. isn't the result of 'extreme exploitation'. It's super cheap for a reason - dignity costs money.

 

[joiji]

So I ended up researching into where I could get those flush metal toe plates that we keep seeing around the forum from places like Meermin, Vass, as the shoe-makers didn't seem to be able to supply them unless they were on a pair of shoes. I've found a supplier and am going to place an order, is anyone else interested in joining in?

Image attached for clarity. If there's any interest I can flesh out pricing details.

 

[Oli2012]

The materials (low grade leather, Chinese cotton, chip board and polyester) would be cheap, especially considering the buying power of the companies.

No money goes into design, and the transport costs are largely waived from low tariffs and government subsidies.

Admittedly, a lot of the practices that happen overseas are less than ideal. That said, I don't think the immigrants in Italy or America producing goods are highly paid uni graduates with health care and an hour lunch break either.

 

[burnso]

Fxh, relating to your post a few days back, is it unwise to let shirts sit in a bucket of water for more than a few days?

Also in general guys, can someone confirm that shoulder bags/ shoulder straps are bad for a canvassed suit shoulder?

 

[Journeyman]



So I ended up researching into where I could get those flush metal toe plates that we keep seeing around the forum from places like Meermin, Vass, as the shoe-makers didn't seem to be able to supply them unless they were on a pair of shoes. I've found a supplier and am going to place an order, is anyone else interested in joining in? Image attached for clarity. If there's any interest I can flesh out pricing details.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I'd be interested, but also a bit wary at the same time. Once you've got the toe plates, do you think that you'll be able to find a place that will be happy to fit them - and able to fit them competently - if you provide them with the toe plates??

 

[Prince of Paisley]



The materials (low grade leather, Chinese cotton, chip board and polyester) would be cheap, especially considering the buying power of the companies.

So the slaves work further up the supply chain... Phew, now I can relax in my plastic shoes!

No money goes into design, and the transport costs are largely waived from low tariffs and government subsidies.

What are you talking about? It still costs money to ship stuff from anywhere to anywhere. And that cost is rising everyday with the oil price and the increase in global trade volumes. And name me one government that is currently providing an import subsidy scheme for clothing? Bottom line is the cost of getting the products to market is a very high proportion of the minute cost you pay as the consumer of these cheap goods.

Admittedly, a lot of the practices that happen overseas are less than ideal. That said, I don't think the immigrants in Italy or America producing goods are highly paid uni graduates with health care and an hour lunch break either.

Don't believe I ever said they were... Then again they earn more than a dollar a day, or 1 rupee per pair of shoes. What I'm talking about is virtual slavery, where garment workers are paid below even the measly official minimum wages, workers have no rights, and child labour is common. These practices are rife, particularly in the Subcontinent. Sorry to get on my high horse but it pays to think before you buy that $4 shirt from Kmart about what the true price is and who is really paying it. You're getting a bargain but somebody is getting screwed somewhere. Nothing is for nothing.

/rant.

 

[joiji]

Quote:

I'd be interested, but also a bit wary at the same time. Once you've got the toe plates, do you think that you'll be able to find a place that will be happy to fit them - and able to fit them competently - if you provide them with the toe plates??

I did think about this, but I've had my cobbler install a similar thing in rubber already, so I can't imagine these creating any challenge for him. Of course, everyone potential experience may vary in their confidence of their local cobblers ability. I'd be happy to order an extra box and divvy them up to interested parties so they aren't all out a significant amount of money if it doesn't work, but an order requires a wire transfer so an individual purchase isn't an inexpensive exercise.

EDIT: For clarity, a box of 10 pairs (20 plates) is ~35 EUR, so a little more than 50 AUD. Shipping decreases significantly the more you buy, but one to two boxes is 20 EUR shipping, 3-4 25 EUR, etc. Plus a wire transfer fee, which varies from $22 (Cheapest I've found) to $50. One person buying one box is out about $100 AUD, but two people buying one box each is $75, 4 buying 1 is $66, etc.