Going without "made in China"
Today I went shopping for the first time since my decision. This isn't going to be easy. I probably looked at 200 labels, "Made in China" was by far the most frequent. Lots of US and Canadian Brand names, but all made in China.
I did find some things, but it was hard going.
Comments
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It should do a number on them and the Mattel company this time of year getting ready to launch the Christmas toys!! I had already decided not to buy if it was "made in China" but it is truely almost impossible.
Someone should have to answer for this mess, who will it be??
I read somewhere that all children should be tested for lead poisioning, that is a sad thing to have to deal with in this country....
Sherry -
Oh I know, what a mess. Yeah, good luck finding anything not made in China.
I know this is probably growing pains for them, but at our expense! I was really freaked out about the dog food, and I just know it is in OUR FOOD too, why not? If you can save a nickel one place you sure as heck can save it in another.
Dang it, Shirlann -
NOPE.. I am not buying anything either
BUT today
was d.town to buy T-shirts
and nothing Made in Canada
all from somewhere else
Infuriating..
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I did find a pair of jeans (pink, but I thought that would be fun) made in Canada in Winner's so I bought them. What really peeved me was the socks - Roots and Jockey. Finally I found some Roots brand socks made in the USA. It is a real eye opener to read the labels. I never did this before.
I suspect that the most useful thing I did today was explain to a clerk who was touting their sales, that if they didn't have anything not made in China I was not buying. Maybe she'll talk to the buyer - likely not. -
Yeah, where is Ross Perot when we need him? Remember what he said about "the giant sucking sound" of jobs leaving the country? Only Dennis Kucinich (sp?) has little enough to lose that he voices the same opinion.
Disclaimer: I am neither Democrat of Republican. Pretty disgusted with the whole lot of them.
Tina -
It truly is nearly impossible to live here in the good old U S of A and not buy something from China! I do my best and have been for a few years now but I turn over everything and think twice before I buy things from there. Sadly, most children's toys seem to be made there!
Jaybird -
There are now some vinyl bibs that are concerning. They said they had lead paint in them. And I believe they came from China. That's just great because my grandchilren used those that are the "jacket" bibs.
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I heard that someone on NPR that tried this for a year. She said it was so hard. And sometimes cost more! Like just trying to find tennis shoes.
J -
Maybe this is the wake up call we Americans needed. We all complain about jobs going overseas, yet don't seem to be willing to pay more for items made in the USA.
Hopefully, the companies that sell products made here will be smart enough to advertise that fact to make it a little easier to find them. -
One of my favorite sayings is "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness" If enough of us stop buying goods made in China, there will be an impact. You can google on "Made in the USA" and get many web sites with goods made in the USA, including toys. Another good place to shop is craft fairs. There are usually a number of these in the fall and they have many handmade goods, including toys.
Darlene -
Well I know that I am not going to buy anything made in China.....got enough of that cr@p in my house already. I will do without........and make items......or grow a plant and give it as a gift. I think we have enough junk in our houses already. Now.....this toy and bib......with lead was the final straw for me. If I have to research longer hours and pay more....then I will.....bottom line.
Love,
Terry -
I'm worried about the vitamin suppliments. I noticed some say distributed from the USA. Others say made in the USA. But I read on the internet that even if it says made in the USA, that the ingredients can be shipped in from China. Very scary. How can we know? Kate
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How funny- I was just thinking about how the Dollar Store is ruining out country one family at a time. I mean just because I can afford everything in the store doesn't mean I have to buy any of that junk-and look at how many arguements all that junk is causing-I just had another doozy with my 3 girls because I am drowning in clutter. From now on-I don't buy a think unless I need it-and I can throw one thing out to accomodate.
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bumping for the "making do with less" gals
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Thanks for the bump binney. I didn't see this thread the first time around. I'm too broke to buy anything but necessities, but I sure got an eye opening experience in the honey section. I was seeking local honey. I spent several minutes looking at labels for honey and many of them stated 5 different countries as the origin.
Finally, I found a 'texas blend' and purchased it, only to discover later that the 'blend' wasn't clover and alfalfa, but honey and CORN SYRUP! Didn't stop to think that there would be anything but honey in my honey! Everyone's health is being affected by substandard products, whether it's toys or food.
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I'm on this boat too. There are just too many toxins mysteriously getting into our food, drugs, pet foods, paints... I don't care what the reason or who is behind it, but China is allowing it to happen. I think we should boycott the Olympics too but I know that will never happen.
Erica
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It's an uphill battle to find goods not made in China. I'm always searching for baby clothes for my granddaughter. Have found that small specialty shops don't buy from there. Many of their clothes are american made or from Europe. And expensive. I try to go for 1/2 year sales events, and look at every label!!
Went to Bed, Bath & Beyond--everything was made in china--even the Egyptian cotton sheets for $120. on sale for 30% off. Found one item to buy--a new front door mat--made in the good old USA!
Target--same thing. Everything made in China. Well not only are we borrowing money up the kazoo to keep the economy afloat, we are importing all our goods from China. Where is all this stuff going to go?
I'm back to my small businesses and stores in my little valley stores. Buy local is my motto now. I buy all organic at the Farmers' Market in town or the Natural Food store. I know where they buy from--and nothing comes from out of the country. Worst, it cuts down on what's fresh certain times of the year--asparagus and strawberries are off my list until they come into season. Just don't trust the pesticide possibility & how the water was treated in other countries. Don't trust the federal government to protect us any more. Feel like we are on our own!
grace -
BUMP
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My husband is a teamster. Years ago when my children were small, they are in their 20's now, we decided not to buy any thing not made in USA for Christmas. What a disaster. My children were very disappointed. Everything the asked Santa for was made in another country. I felt like crap Christmas morning. Now this everything made in China business is even worse. Even if you wanted to be crafty and make your own gifts, the things you would need to make them are 99% made in China. Personally, I'd like to see companies that send work outside the US taxed or fined heavily. Maybe then they might get the message. But I don't think our legislators have the b*@@s to do anything.
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I for one am really going to boycott purchasing anything made in China, simply because of their poor handling of the Tibetan fight for independence. I dislike the way China is treating the Tibetan monks and its citizens. I believe they deserve their freedom and that Tibet should be an independent country.
I am sure I will be searching far and wide for items not made in China.
In addition, I will be searching out items made in the USA. Already own two American made vehicles (although I'm sure parts are made in China). Is there no escape? -
Oh man, I was in Wal-Mart (AKA CHINA!) today with my Mom. We had just finished talking about not buying "China" when I saw the cutest spring-y placemats for under $1.00 each. I wanted them sooo much... but didn't buy them. Every dollar counts!
HugsErica
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Walmart.....biggest culprit. They pressure all the companies that supply them to come and set up their manufacturing in China so it can be produced for less and then sold to walmart for less as well. How else do you think they can advertise the lowest prices?? WOW, don't even get me started.......it makes me so mad!!
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Thank you to those who bumped this thread up. I was curious to read it since reading references to it on the "making do with less" thread. With recents events in Tibet, the abuses of the Chinese workforce, the dangerous products they've sold us, and our country's out of control indebtedness to China (talk about an national security problem!) I felt motivated to learn more about this topic and to try an experiment of going "China free." I'll try and post how it goes for anyone interested. I don't think I'll get rid of stuff I already have or my house might end up empty- I don't know this for sure- just a guess. If anyone else wants to share re: sources of useful products not from China, or other related thoughts/info please do.
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Ok, I will try to stay away from things made in China.
I am already on my 6th month of boycotting Target. Too bad no one knows about it! I should write to them. I got mad because I would probably spend at least $300 a month at their store for clothes, purses, shoes, birthday presents, hair, food items, Diet Coke, shampoo, make-up ... always something. Anyway, I had a blouse that was like $16 that was just a tad too small (bought without trying on) and I kept leaving it at home. Well, after 90 days, they didn't take it back. Too bad 92 days. I had the receipt and tags still on it. They offered me $3.00. Not even $16 store credit. Well, I haven't been back since November and found other ways to buy Christmas presents and my daughter's DS games .... Walmart (yuk) and GameStop and etoys.com ....
So, now I will be looking at labels when I shop.
Sure am saving money at a time I can't really afford to spend anyway!!! Thanks gals!
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I was looking for some new non-stick skillets and pots and they are all made in China. I asked my son about it and he said don't buy them because we can't be sure what they are using in the coating and that coating does come off and we are probably eating some of it. Yuk. So I tried looking for stainless steel instead - all had the Made in China sticker. Anyone know of a cookware company that uses good old American materials?
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I passed on a pair of made in China-Crocs-like mudshoes that would have been handy for wearing out to the chicken coop today. I am cutting back on buying in general- not just stuff from China.I watched a great episode of "No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain, featuring China this afternoon. It really drove home that the Chinese people need a way to make money and improve their standard of living- but the way it's happening is so destructive to all involved and the environment. The show also highlighted how tragic it is that local Chinese cuisines are being lost to mass produced foods.
Not buying made in China does have the added benefit of saving money since it can be hard to find anything not made there.
I need another lamp for our bedroom and was going to buy a new one. Then it occurred to me that it would likely be Made in China and that I could probably find one at the local antiqueish shop that would be less expensive and would probably suit our house better. It helps to remind myself that not every thing needs to be new.
Re: the pans- I think Ive gotten made in the US cast iron skillets. Also some Le Creuset- at least the older classic stuff- is made in France. I prefer buying products made in EU countries because their materials safety standards are much stricter than those in the US, nevermind China.
I am re-reading "Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping" by Judith Levine. It's a fun and inspiring read. I got it on interlibrary loan
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Hi Allyson:
That book sounds good, tks
I am trying to cut back on purchases
for several reasons
and yesterday got summer items out
I was noticing how many came from China
pants with the lablel China, t shirts etc
but they were from a Wal-mart
No More, though it will be difficult to find
budge items, maybe 2nd hand stores
O/T Further, O/T re: the Olympics
I really anticipate a lot of trouble
surrounding this.. understand today
they demonstrate in San Fran
and also.. we have a small demonstration
in Toronto. But, it just takes one incident
of violence -
It's so hard to avoid Chinese products. Funny story. I have a Chinese girlfriend who lives in California and she shops at the Chinese grocery stores. (I understand they are HUGE there, not a teeny section of one aisle as in New England.) Guess what? She won't buy Chinese imported food. Insists on similar products NOT from China. TeeHee. That's confidence for you.
This year our garden will be bigger than ever and we will put up more due both to the high cost of food/transportation and not wanting to send dollars overseas. No more Chilean grapes for us. Will also frequent the farmers' markets. Here's a list of links you foodies might want to visit.
In the meantime, I am considering eschewing leather handbags and making my own out of fabric. That is less dollars going to China or overseas anywhere. I am very angry about the lack of good jobs in our country now. ALL our politicians have been sitting around with their heads up their butts.
Tina
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Ok, I can stop by our local farmer's market on Thursdays for fresh produce. Good idea.
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Tina, I was thinking about what you said about jobs .... our workers need the jobs so we need to support American made products. But what am I gonna do when I need a new car
....... Not getting one soon (and it will be used) but I keep looking at little tiny gas saving cars instead of my gas guzzling SUV. I won't sell the SUV since it will paid off soon and who can afford to replace it??? But who can afford to drive it??? LOL I love my American made Chevy but I used to drive a Nissan and I loved it, too. I will have to check out which foreign car companies mfg their cars in America. I know Honda does. -
Rocktobermom, that is terrible about Target. I had a problem returning a defective phone to Best Buy. The phone could not be programmed and never worked. I took it back but they were giving me a hard time because I didn't have the box or booklet. They tried to charge a $10 restocking fee. The phone cost $22 so I told them that was highway robbery. I finally said, "Give me a replacement". I don't need the booklet or the box and that worked. Still very aggravating when the product was defective and had been purchased a week previously. I had the receipt.
Catherine
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