Is it still possible to "Buy American"?
Unfortunately, it is more and more difficult. In today's global economy, the lines have blurred as to what is an American product and what has been brought into this country and represented as an American product. I feel the line from the Jeep commercial "You are what you make." Has never rang more true. In our lust for profit and cheap goods, we have given up our ability to make our own stuff. The politicians don't want to admit it but that is the reason for the high unemployment in America today. They have smoothed the way over the years for American companies to move their manufacturing overseas to take advantage of cheap labor but left the door open for those same companies to bring in their foreign made goods duty free. All the politicians beat their breasts and declare that something must be done but none of them do anything because they are all drinking from the same well and they will not risk dying of thirst just in order to help the country.
Here at Owen's Originals we are not without guilt. Years ago, we took great pride in producing all our own backdrops on American made canvas and muslin. Over time, as more manufacturing moved overseas, it became impossible for us to continue getting American made muslin so, even though we continued to paint and dye our own backdrops, we had to import the raw muslin and canvas to do that. We have found through experience that there is a huge difference in product quality from one overseas producer to the next. It has become our philosophy that is is better to pay more and make less on higher quality materials than to pay less and make more on low quality. For that reason, we now import all our backdrops from a source that we trust to always deliver the best quality. Also, as an American, family owned business, we know the importance of customer support and customer loyalty. We hope to continue to earn that loyalty over the years to come.
What can you, as a consumer do to make sure you are supporting American Business? Do your homework. Check out a business at the BBB (Better Business Breau). If they are listed, they will have a grade and company info. Ours is HERE Do not be fooled by a name. Just because the company name includes the name "American" or "Cowboy" or "U.S."dosen't mean it is an American business. Do a "whois" search HERE and paste the website address. Our "whois" info is HERE
Visit our Site: http://www.owens-originals.com
Anyway, that is our take on the current business environment in the USA. What is yours?
Here at Owen's Originals we are not without guilt. Years ago, we took great pride in producing all our own backdrops on American made canvas and muslin. Over time, as more manufacturing moved overseas, it became impossible for us to continue getting American made muslin so, even though we continued to paint and dye our own backdrops, we had to import the raw muslin and canvas to do that. We have found through experience that there is a huge difference in product quality from one overseas producer to the next. It has become our philosophy that is is better to pay more and make less on higher quality materials than to pay less and make more on low quality. For that reason, we now import all our backdrops from a source that we trust to always deliver the best quality. Also, as an American, family owned business, we know the importance of customer support and customer loyalty. We hope to continue to earn that loyalty over the years to come.
What can you, as a consumer do to make sure you are supporting American Business? Do your homework. Check out a business at the BBB (Better Business Breau). If they are listed, they will have a grade and company info. Ours is HERE Do not be fooled by a name. Just because the company name includes the name "American" or "Cowboy" or "U.S."dosen't mean it is an American business. Do a "whois" search HERE and paste the website address. Our "whois" info is HERE
Visit our Site: http://www.owens-originals.com
Anyway, that is our take on the current business environment in the USA. What is yours?
As a Canadian customer I thought I'd note that sometimes even if products say they are 'Made in America' (or Made in Canada), often a lot of the components are manufactured elsewhere. I much prefer to buy products from Canadian or US (or even Mexican) businesses, though as you note, it's becoming much more difficult to stick to ones principles in that regard. It's almost like seeing the same camera at Best Buy that you see at your local camera store, except for $300 less... what is one to do?
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