Are you ready for an Made in the USA back to school shopping trip

If you are like my family when we head out for back to school shopping we always look for items made in the USA. There are quite a few retailers that have been doing a great job at advertising products that are made in the USA.

My family was able to purchase quite a few things made in American when we were out and about at the malls. Paper, pencils, and some other accessories were clearly marked. We were able to find socks made in the USA at a mall.

Of course our site includes Back Packs made in the USA  and lost of clothing. So if we want our kids to have jobs when they graduate lets lay the ground work now when you buy American.

American Made, Americans Paid!

Shoes made in the USA and great customer service

I have been wearing New Balance running shoes for at least 7 years I think. I love the shoes as they are American Made and very high quality. Several years ago I started buying them at retail stores instead of online. I figured New Balance is still getting the business and the store would sell an American Made product.

Each pair last me about a year or so. According to my wife I should replace them sooner however I'm an old tightwad so that is hard for me to do! I pay a good amount for the shoes and I expect a long life for them.

So this last June I was over due for a new pair of New Balance running shoes. I went to Dick's Sporting goods and selected a nice pair of 993 in Grey. The retail price was $149.95 plus our local sales tax of course.  Loved my new shoes as I always do. Love they say Made in the USA on the back of the shoe. I was shocked two weeks ago to notice that one of the shoes had come apart. I was disappointed however being that they are from a fine American company and from a well known sporting good store where I spend a lot of money I was not concerned other then the hassle of taking time to do the return.

So first the bad part of the experience that just shocked me! I did not have a receipt as I had it emailed to me as part of the customer loyalty program at Dick's. Went into the store prepared to experience great customer service and leave with a pair of new shoes. The cashier was very nice and tried to help however this was above her pay grade. She asked the manager to help me since I did not have the box nor the receipt however we were talking about $150.00 shoes that were 6 weeks old. I asked the manager to please look at my customer number which he did. It clearly showed a large purchase on the day I told him I bought them. To my amazement he refused to help said the shoes were well worn and could have come from any store at any time. Now shocked and asking him to look at my account he would not! WOW poor and rude service as he was not even polite.

I went home and researched my customer account with Dick's and called their customer service and they helped me retrieve a report showing my spending there for the last 8 months. In the last 8 months I had spent $1047.00 in that store. I know my spending there since they opened several years ago was even more however they only keep one year. I appealed to the customer service again for help and all they did was offer platitudes and would never actually address the problem.

OK now the good part of the entire ordeal. I contacted the New Balance company customer service and explained what happened. They asked me to send them the shoes and if found to be defective they would replace them no questions asked!

I sent them and they immediately responded to me that they would take care of it and asked me to select a new pair of shoes and they would ship them out! Now that was great customer service from a great American company.

So yes even an American made company can make a mistake but they stood by the product, work quickly to resolve it and provided excellent customer service!

The retailer on the other hand has now lost any of my future business. I will be going to their competitor across the street! The manger showed he did not care and had no tact at all. He all but accused me of being a criminal!

Cheers to New Balance for keeping a customer and acting like a responsible company! I'll be buying many more shoes from them in the future!

Clothes made in the USA for back to school

our made in the USA clothing selection has been growing very well over the last few years. While most of the choices are geared towards adults we have added some lines aimed at teens. We have seen several companies pop up that offer American Made shirts popular with teens like T-Shirts and the like.

I have yet to find American made jeans that the kids like but we will keep searching! If you come across some please let us know and we would get them posted ASAP.

American Made Americans Paid!

A great Made in the USA story

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc, a 62 year old ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer of over 15,000 American made brooms and brushes for industrial and commercial applications is under constant competitive threat from Chinese made products.  Patriotism is tantamount at Gordon Brush.  For example, Gordon Brush has made brushes for the United States Army to clean the main gun on the Abram's tanks, saving the Department of Defense over $1.5 billion.  The Company also has made brushes that were used on the space shuttle, the lunar module, and brushes to clean the guidance system and guns on the Apache helicopter.

 

Gordon's Milwaukee Dustless brush line of janitorial cleaning tools and its health and wellness product, the FootMate® System, face the most intense pressure from lower priced Chinese made products, in many distribution channels.  Many end users are willing to sacrifice cost over quality, even though in the long run it ends up costing them more because they have to replace sub-standard product more frequently.  Moreover, these lower quality products do not do the job for which they were intended, thus leaving a substandard work-product.

 

Even under these competitive threats, "the Company has been steadfast in its philosophy and commitment to manufacturing in the United States", said Ken Rakusin, president and CEO.  "Manufacturing in California and Wisconsin is still a viable model, even if it brings with it some tough challenges.  Gordon Brush prides itself on its American heritage dating back to 1897, when the first dustless brush was invented in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by the Milwaukee Dustless Brush Company, which was acquired in 2005", further added Rakusin. 

 

"Companies that have nothing to differentiate themselves on besides price are the most vulnerable to the threat of lower priced Chinese made products; that's a no-win game.  Gordon Brush chooses to compete on value-added, said Rakusin.  Offering premier products with superior customer service have enabled the Company to grow and prosper in spite of the Chinese threat.  "The Milwaukee Dustless motto: Innovative Products that Clean Better and Last Longer is a testament to this philosophy, said Rakusin. 

 

In addition to the Gordon and Milwaukee Dustless line of brushes, the Company's recently introduced the FootMate® System.  The Podiatrist recommended FootMate® System makes optimal foot health easy.  It is a complete foot care system for cleaning, soothing, stimulating, and massaging your feet every time you shower.

 

The FootMate® System is a brush and specially formulated gel that goes in the bath or shower to clean and massage your feet without having to bend over.  The FootMate® System stands head-and-shoulders (or perhaps foot-and-heels) above the Chinese competitor.  The FootMate® brush has over 11,000 bristles and weighs over three pounds compared to the 1,000 bristle, few ounces weighing Chinese competitor.  "The FootMate System is a high quality American made product that will last and not crumble, exclaimed, Rakusin.

 

Gordon Brush never considered off-shore manufacturing to become more price competitive.  Our American made products give us the ability to display our patriotism and pride and to create feelings of goodwill when our customers receive American-made items. 

 

When considering off-shore manufacturing, the allure of international low-cost labor has to be balanced with loss of control, local customs challenges and costs.  "Product reliability, and safety and compliance measures, less inventory/stock issues, and difficulties bringing a distinct company culture across the world, was all contributing factors against going off-shore", according to Rakusin.  In addition, the cost of shipping and the ability to offer same day shipping on most standard brushes was also a major factor in keeping business here in the United States", said Rakusin.

 

"In spite of all of these issues, I was determined to build and grow my business in the United States by re-investing profits into the purchase of millions of dollars in manufacturing equipment and machinery; pride in contributing to the American economy is near-and-dear to my heart", further proclaimed Rakusin.  "Moreover and perhaps most importantly, added Rakusin, are my valued, long-tenured, skilled employees.     I have well over 100 employees, plus their families, for who I am responsible.  I tell them that Gordon Brush is a great place to work and we are committed to enhancing their lives.   Brush-making is an art; I would not have a business without these skilled artisans.  I would be a hypocrite if I ignored that commitment for the purpose of improving my bottom line."

 

"There are tremendous problems all over the world, said Rakusin and the United States leads the world in providing support for the destitute.  There are people in America who are hungry or out of work or can't afford health insurance.  My priority is to want to help them first by supporting the local community.  That means keeping my business here." 

 

In 2003, nearly 15 million Americans were employed in manufacturing jobs, but that number had dipped below 12 million by 2013.  A 2011 study by the Boston Consulting Group that predicts that by 2015, the United States will "experience a manufacturing renaissance as the wage gap with China shrinks.  If the Chinese wage trend continues, 1 million manufacturing jobs could return to the United States by 2015, the study said.  Over the next five or 10 years, international trade will swing from continent to continent.  As labor costs in China rise, manufacturing will move to Thailand, Vietnam or India.  This will present a new set of problems.

 

Remember Made in the USA keeps Americans Paid in the USA

Back to school shopping

Were will you do your back to school shopping? The mall? Online? Whichever you do make sure and look for products Made in the USA while you browse.

There are backpacks made in the USA, for the back to school kids that want to carry their books in American Made Style.

Check out the directory you may be surprised at what you find.

Furniture Made in the USA

Today we listed an American icon in the furniture business.

Bassett Furniture provides a wide variety of Living Room, Bedroom, and Dining Room furniture in all styles including contemporary, leather, modern, traditional, and more.

 The HGTV HOME experience has been added throughout the store to create a fresh, creative design studio expression that highlights Bassett's unmatched custom manufacturing capabilities. The custom upholstered sofas, sectionals, beds, ottomans, and benches are available in more than 1000 fabrics, are delivered within 30 days, and are made in the USA.

 

This is a large well known American company and I love that they wanted to reach out to the American Made fan! Please remember them the next time you need furniture. Our country needs work buy products made in the USA!

 

 

Cash Register Made in the USA?

A long time ago cash registers used to be Made in the USA however all that changed back in the 1980's along with so many other things! The technology has improved, the functions and features have improved but the manufacturing has all been moved overseas. at first most were made in Japan however over the years I have seen most if not all to South Korea, although for a short while I think the Samsung register were assembled in Mexico.

American Made Clothes

The American Made directory has been growing very well. Today I added a clothing company called Three Dots that make high end Men's and Women's clothing made in the USA.

Our traffic indicates that American Made clothing is on of the most popular items people are looking for. The second item seems to be shoes followed by tools.

Remember American Made American's Paid!

American Made Washer and Dryer

Last night I was able to buy an American Made Washer and Dryer at Home Depot. The brand was Maytag and they had the set well labeled with a flag and American Made Pride. We need to reward these companies when they reach out to us in this way. The set was maybe $200.00 more then the cheaper LG or Samsung set but I think better.

Please check it out when you next need a washer and/or dryer!