Quick foreign made product poll.?

Question

90% of the products in your home are made in asia. I'm doing a report on the effects of outsourcing. If you had a choice between buying a foreign made product for a dollar and an american made product for a buck fifty which would you choose and why (jobs, economy, quality, safety, ect)?

Answer 1

Depends on what type of product. Seeing as it is only in the range of about one dollar, it's not a big investment. As a consumer I would have to go with the cheaper item. However if this was a computer or something expensive, it would be more difficult to assess which I would buy.

Answer 2

Yes,particularly since they are usually made here to last for more than a few months.I constantly look for American made:staplers,scissors,anything with a handle that must be used under duress,anything in which hardened metallurgy is involved. Beyond that their unleaded swizzle sticks and pinatas will serve the purpose.

Answer 3

I would buy the cheapest product with the highest quality. This is called being a rational consumer. The location it was made should have no factor in a consumer's descision since it doesn't make a difference. I don't base my consumption decisions on lines on a map. And based on your question which says 90% of the products in most Americans house is foreign, I don't think the average American does either. Even if someone says they don't. Check the tag in their shirt and it will likely say made in Tiwain (Spelling ?). For those who do only shop American, it is a waste of money.

P.S. I am an Economics Student at UCSB. If you knew something about economics you would know almost all economists support free trade sighting an idea called comparative advantage. In reference to your product safety objection, product safety is a feature of product quality, which was considered in my answer. You shouldn't write off all foreign goods over a few product recalls from China. There have been many from the U.S. U.S. Companies will respond to consumers' concerns over product safety, and if they don't they will be out of business. Also, don't underestimate the fact that even though a product is made in China, it is still sold in the U.S. by a U.S. company who is providing jobs to Americans and being an active participant in the U.S. economy. The world is going through economic changes as it has always been. Why are you worried that Americans import Nick Nacks and Waffle makers. Production of these items is not the future of America. Americas future is a highly educated workforce providing management, financial, technoligical, ect. services. I don't give a c**p my desk was made in China, because in a few years I will be the one negotiating with those same manufactures and selling desks to suckers like you. You can either change with the world or get left behind. Bottom line, the argument against free trade comes down to protectionism. However, the protectionists policy hinders economic activity, raises prices, and stops forces that are causing more people in my generation to go to college. Most economists blame the great depression on tariffs.