More than 80 percent of those people cited retaining manufacturing jobs and keeping American manufacturing strong in the global economy as very important reasons for buying American. About 60 percent cited concern about the use of child workers or other cheap labor overseas, or stated that American-made goods were of higher quality.
And people would pay extra to buy American. More than 60 percent of all respondents indicated they’d buy American-made clothes and appliances even if those cost 10 percent more than imported versions; more than 25 percent said they’d pay at least an extra 20 percent. (Perhaps more surprising: According to a new survey of consumers in the U.S. and abroad by the Boston Consulting Group, more than 60 percent of Chinese respondents said they’d buy the American-made version over the Chinese even if it were to cost more.)
Clearly, most Americans want to know where products are made and want to buy those that will help create or keep jobs in the U.S. — an attempt applauded by economists like Jeff Faux, a distinguished fellow of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute, in Washington, D.C. “Consumers need to understand that all jobs and wages are interconnected,” Faux told us. “When you buy foreign goods — and sometimes there’s no choice — it means that fewer U.S. workers will have the money to buy the goods and services you sell.”
But what does “made in the USA” even mean? And how can you identify what’s made where? Few products except cars, textiles, furs, and woolens are required by law to reveal their American heritage. But when any manufacturer chooses to boast of an American connection, it must comply with federal rules designed to keep consumers from being misled.
Readers flood Consumer Reports with letters and e-mail seeking explanations as to why, for example, frozen blueberries from Oregon are identified as a product of Chile; why a company named Florida’s Natural sells apple juice with concentrate from Brazil; why pants made in Vietnam are labeled “authentic, active, outdoor, American”; or why a T-shirt with the words “Made in the” above the U.S. flag comes from Mexico.
Bottom Line: If you want to buy U.S. made products, these tips may help:
Read labels carefully.
Consult websites that name companies making products in the U.S.
Contact the manufacturer directly.
Check Consumer Reports listing of the companies still manufacturing in America.
Contents excerpted from Consumer Reports http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/02/made-in-america/index.htm
Do you want your business printing made in the U.S.A.? Then please contact MI Printing and tell us about your printing needs. We are ready to listen and help.
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