Boycott of foreign goods.

[Cameroi]

if every nation on the planet boycotted american goods, it couldn't make war on ALL of them, or it would fall from trying. this would be one way to bring down a peg its inexcusable arrogance.

[Arumdaum]

I don't put my country first. Or my dollar, or won, or euro, etc. I live in the USA, and for the stuff we have here. I personally don't care about where I get it from. I care as much as for the poor Indian guy working with barely any wages than the average worker in America. Maybe more for the poor guy, because I feel bad for him more. I care more for who is doing worse off.

Blankets, beds, pencils, food, portraits, books, phones, spoons, chopsticks, + other stuff I got in Korea also while there: South Korea

Heaters, skin products, computers, pens, food: Japan

Your average toy: China

Clothes: Egypt, Indonesia, Vietnam, America

Drinks (excluding water): Italy

Rugs and carpet: India

Food: Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, Korea, France, America

Forks and knives: France
That's pretty much what I know of.

[Arumdaum]

I think foreign food is awesome. I would get sick from going to In n Out or McDonalds every day. Or eating ribs or anything else like that.

[Arumdaum]

I'm boycotting Israel. That's about it.

Amazing. Me too. Copycat

[Arumdaum]

Honda, Skoda, Toyota, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mazda, Seat, Nissan, Kia, Citroen, and Hyundai are luxury brands?

In the USA they may actually be. Which speaks volumes.

In Korea it sort of gets annoying when every car you see is a Hyundai or Kia. But when I was in Korea, I rode around in a Mercedes-Benz.

[Gauntleted Fist]

Here is what a European survey suggests.

In fact, here's the graph they have, just to save you having to click on the link:


How many in the top...well, let's say 20, are American?

That'll be none. With every US brand being below the industry average.

Saab is owned by GM. I am not sure if that counts.

[Coffin-Breathe]

As we´re down to cars again, you States´ people should understand, that there are some different issues in Europe, when it comes to buy a new one; first, fuel prices are much higher here in Europe, so fuel consumption really counts; second, as there are particular very high customs duties, American cars tend to be sold on a much higher price; third, and that´s, imo the most important, American cars don´t provide a very good seller´s net or supply chain, and it´s much harder to find a proper mechanic for them here in Europe, compared to European or Asian ones. As a relic of the fifties, I guess, American cars are seen here in Europe as big, highly fuel consuming monsters, which is, given the fact, that marketing usually is based on the upper-class-models, partially correct. But most people here in Europe buy compact-class models, or micro-cars, due to smaller street and parking lot scales.

For my own, I tend to buy upper-class models, used ones, for sure, as I couldn´t afford to spend 80-100 K of Euros for a new one, and as the current owner of a Saab 9000 (top model) and former driver of a BMW (7 series) I can say, the quality and manufacturing is satisfiying. I can´t judge American cars of the same price range, `cause I never had one, but I can state, that European cars are impressive. Btw, Saab has, on my knowledge, been given back to the Swedes, due to the bankruptcy of GM, a fact I really like, hoping it will bring them back to the superior standards they held before becoming part of GM empire.

[Sibirsky]

As we´re down to cars again, you States´ people should understand, that there are some different issues in Europe, when it comes to buy a new one; first, fuel prices are much higher here in Europe, so fuel consumption really counts; second, as there are particular very high customs duties, American cars tend to be sold on a much higher price; third, and that´s, imo the most important, American cars don´t provide a very good seller´s net or supply chain, and it´s much harder to find a proper mechanic for them here in Europe, compared to European or Asian ones. As a relic of the fifties, I guess, American cars are seen here in Europe as big, highly fuel consuming monsters, which is, given the fact, that marketing usually is based on the upper-class-models, partially correct. But most people here in Europe buy compact-class models, or micro-cars, due to smaller street and parking lot scales.

For my own, I tend to buy upper-class models, used ones, for sure, as I couldn´t afford to spend 80-100 K of Euros for a new one, and as the current owner of a Saab 9000 (top model) and former driver of a BMW (7 series) I can say, the quality and manufacturing is satisfiying. I can´t judge American cars of the same price range, `cause I never had one, but I can state, that European cars are impressive. Btw, Saab has, on my knowledge, been given back to the Swedes, due to the bankruptcy of GM, a fact I really like, hoping it will bring them back to the superior standards they held before becoming part of GM empire.

Yes we realize those things you mentioned. Also, last I heard the Saab sale fell through. So GM is still it's owner. I don't understand the point of the high customs duties. My A8 comparison proved you correct. But for what purpose? To save jobs in for the domestic manufacturer?

* GM board says has received interest in Saab

* GM to consider offers for Swedish brand until year-end

* Saab will face wind-down if no deal seen
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyN ... 8320091202

[Risottia]

I would never buy a USA-made product. For you see, I care about quality and workmanship in the things I purchase.

Yep. Generally, many products from USA, China (both PRC and ROC) and India are quite lousy.

[Coffin-Breathe]

Is anyone else involved in this? For some time now, I've been refusing to purchase anything that has not been stamped with "Made in U.S.A." on the bottom. I absolutely refuse to support any corporation that does not put it's nation first and it's dollar second. I always check the barcode for the "Made in China" stamp, so I can put it back and find the american equivalent. This does mean, if you do not know, that I also boycott Ford Motor Company, Wal-Mart, and any other stores that refuse to stock American-made products.

I realize that American-Made products are dwindling because corporations run by useless bastards hire malaysian children for 15 cents a day to work in sweatshops 140 hours a week so they can sell me a $10 blender that falls apart in three months. Even so, I still have enough respect for the american working class to refuse to support Long-Wang and his family of 18 in the Peoples' Republic of China over the masses of unemployed people and people with ever lowering job security who exist down the street from me, in the United States of America.

What I am asking is, how many of you feel it imperative that you buy only products produced in the United States of America, whenever you are not being intentionally decieved about a product's origin?

I guess I can see a valid point in this, as here in Europe we have some similar campaigns going on...
But, imo, it´s basically better to buy local or regional product, if possible, ´cause doing so will help regional economy along, but not to shun every foreign product by any means. As a matter of fact, this maybe would be posssible for a citizen of the States, but where the hell should an Austrian citizen get some pineapples, for example ? It´s also better to get a Chinese product in the neighbourhood, than to drive a fiffty miles for a local one...which comes down to : If you can choose between products of your homeland and foreign ones of similar quality and price, you should support your homeland´s economy, which usually helps you keeping your job as well as helps the local company in the competition...
High social standards (as we have here in Europe) have their price, and are not held up by "sweat-shop" owning companies. It doesn´t help the workers over there, when you´re buying their products, only makes the owners and global players richer. There are many lists (on the net and elsewhere) for non-proper made brand as well as no-name products, try not to support these ones, avoid buying their products and let their CEO´s know about - `cause sales figure, sales statistic and profit margins are the only language those profit-droven greedy bastards understand.

[Fassitude]

And she got it used.

Nope, new.

According to http://www.audi.se--snip--

Which would be fine and oh, so relevant if Audi Sverige set the prices that the dealers take for the cars. Which of course they don't. Because, you see, in this capitalist market system of ours, when demand goes down - as it generally has in this current recession across the board in the automobile industry - to get people to buy cars, the dealers lower their prices. Especially dealers facing bankruptcy and who have to pay for just having cars lying around. One would think something like this would be apparent to a "capitalist" such as yourself, but maybe you're a firm believer in centrally fixed and planned prices, and are unaware of the customer's ability to haggle and renegotiate prices? How communist of you.

So Americans pay $30k less for a fully loaded A8 than the Swedes pay for a base model. Throw in higher incomes (the kind required to buy the A8) and lower taxes. Man socialism sucks.

So, socialism has something all of a sudden to do with the price of a car on a free market? Oh, well, we've clearly established you know very little about free markets, and now seemingly also very little about socialism as well. As expected. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll ring my sister up and ask her to take me for a ride in her brand new very well priced Audi. I have a new appreciation for her purchase, and I think that a nice ride into the country is a perfect way to enjoy our "socialist" better health, longer life-expectancy, higher standard of living, safer roads, superior health-care, social security, low crime-rate, higher happiness indeces and all those other trinkets that we are oh, so burdened by. If all nightmares could be like this, one'd never need wake up.

[Sibirsky]

And she got it used.

Nope, new.

According to http://www.audi.se--snip--

Which would be fine and oh, so relevant if Audi Sverige set the prices that the dealers take for the cars. Which of course they don't. Because, you see, in this capitalist market system of ours, when demand goes down - as it generally has in this current recession across the board in the automobile industry - to get people to buy cars, the dealers lower their prices. Especially dealers facing bankruptcy and who have to pay for just having cars lying around. One would think something like this would be apparent to a "capitalist" such as yourself, but maybe you're a firm believer in centrally fixed and planned prices, and are unaware of the customer's ability to haggle and renegotiate prices? How communist of you.

So Americans pay $30k less for a fully loaded A8 than the Swedes pay for a base model. Throw in higher incomes (the kind required to buy the A8) and lower taxes. Man socialism sucks.

So, socialism has something all of a sudden to do with the price of a car on a free market? Oh, well, we've clearly established you know very little about free markets, and now seemingly also very little about socialism as well. As expected. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll ring my sister up and ask her to take me for a ride in her brand new very well priced Audi. I have a new appreciation for her purchase, and I think that a nice ride into the country is a perfect way to enjoy our "socialist" better health, longer life-expectancy, higher standard of living, safer roads, superior health-care, social security, low crime-rate, higher happiness indeces and all those other trinkets that we are oh, so burdened by. If all nightmares could be like this, one'd never need wake up.

You love to flamebait don't you?

The dealers cut the price by half? As far as socialism, I was referring to customs duties. Why else would the same car be more than 2 times more expensive in Sweden than the States? And yes, we can get significant discounts as well. Depends on the brand, model, dealer and the buyer's negotiating skills.

[Coffin-Breathe]

I don't understand the point of the high customs duties. My A8 comparison proved you correct. But for what purpose? To save jobs in for the domestic manufacturer?

* GM board says has received interest in Saab

* GM to consider offers for Swedish brand until year-end

* Saab will face wind-down if no deal seen
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyN ... 8320091202

Yes, why not; it´s to protect your own industry and their chances in national market. Global "free trade" on it´s current scales only works well for the profit of a bunch of unscrupulous "global players", not for your country - contrary, it helps to bring it down.

As for Saab, I guess, that´s another attempt to carve out as much money as possible from the deal, and I really do blame those GM-assholes for bringing this former superb branch down so far. I, for my own, and as a owner of three Saab´s in twenty years, would say, that ever since this former innovative and technically as well in quality "top" branch, former seen as a kind of "understatement product" has gone to GM , it lost its originality as well as its superior quality. It´s still a good one today, but not as excellent as before...

[Fassitude]

You love to flamebait don't you?

If pointing out how little you know is flamebait, most people respnding to your posts would be flamebaiting you.

The dealers cut the price by half?

In this case it would seem so, if the dealer were in fact from the beginning following Audi Sverige prices from the start. Most likely he wasn't, and it's very likely that the car may be parallell imported, or brought to Sweden from Germany not through Audi Sverige and so on and on - you see, in a free market system, there are many, many ways to do business, import things, set prices and many, many factors that influence how these things happen on a day to day basis. You know, capitalism. As those of us who know at least a little something about it would call it.

As far as socialism, I was referring to customs duties. Why else would the same car be more than 2 times more expensive in Sweden than the States? And yes, we can get significant discounts as well. Depends on the brand, model, dealer and the buyer's negotiating skills.

You think customs duties have something to do with socialism? Wow, you really have no clue what socialism is, at all. For some reason, you assume it to be protectionism, and for some reason (the most obvious one being yet more ignorance) you are unaware of the EU internal market.

[Katganistan]

Yep, Chinese products are known to be better

When compared to USA-made products? Yes, yes they are indeed known to be better. Not much of a feat, but that's the way it is.

Would that include the lead paint on children's toys and the melamine in pet foods? Just asking.

[Sibirsky]

I don't understand the point of the high customs duties. My A8 comparison proved you correct. But for what purpose? To save jobs in for the domestic manufacturer?

* GM board says has received interest in Saab

* GM to consider offers for Swedish brand until year-end

* Saab will face wind-down if no deal seen
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyN ... 8320091202

Yes, why not; it´s to protect your own industry and their chances in national market. Global "free trade" on it´s current scales only works well for the profit of a bunch of unscrupulous "global players", not for your country - contrary, it helps to bring it down.

As for Saab, I guess, that´s another attempt to carve out as much money as possible from the deal, and I really do blame those GM-assholes for bringing this former superb branch down so far. I, for my own, and as a owner of three Saab´s in twenty years, would say, that ever since this former innovative and technically as well in quality "top" branch, former seen as a kind of "understatement product" has gone to GM , it lost its originality as well as its superior quality. It´s still a good one today, but not as excellent as before...

Why not? It hurts the local customer. It also hurts exports as others tend to reciprocate in kind. I showed in this thread how an identical car could be multiple times more expensive or cheaper depending on the market. The only reason it's more expensive are customs duties. And I suspect Sweden's custom duties are not even close to being the highest.

[Fassitude]

Would that include the lead paint on children's toys and the melamine in pet foods? Just asking.

Could you read the thread before posting? Kthnx. And yes, even in comparison with the lead and melamine USA products have a poor reputation, as has been posted already. So, that reading. You should do it.

[Katganistan]

What I am asking is, how many of you feel it imperative that you buy only products produced in the United States of America, whenever you are not being intentionally decieved about a product's origin?

I used to think that. but I no longer do. why? because I view "Buy American" to be the same as "Vote [party]" if the US Auto Industry actually stopped spouting the "buy Domestic" and actually studied why foreign cars are doing better, then they wouldn't NEED a bail out. If the Product is GOOD, then I'll buy it.

Here in Hawaii, they are trying to do the same thing. "Buy Local". I say, make good stuff then I'll buy local.

This. I buy local/national/made by people just like me only if all else is equal, which rarely happens.

I buy based on reviews. If it's high quality, I don't care WHERE it was made. The exception: food. Whenever I can, I buy from local farmers' markets, or from farmers in NY state.

[Sibirsky]

You love to flamebait don't you?

If pointing out how little you know is flamebait, most people respnding to your posts would be flamebaiting you.

The dealers cut the price by half?

In this case it would seem so, if the dealer were in fact from the beginning following Audi Sverige prices from the start. Most likely he wasn't, and it's very likely that the car may be parallell imported, or brought to Sweden from Germany not through Audi Sverige and so on and on - you see, in a free market system, there are many, many ways to do business, import things, set prices and many, many factors that influence how these things happen on a day to day basis. You know, capitalism. As those of us who know at least a little something about it would call it.

As far as socialism, I was referring to customs duties. Why else would the same car be more than 2 times more expensive in Sweden than the States? And yes, we can get significant discounts as well. Depends on the brand, model, dealer and the buyer's negotiating skills.

You think customs duties have something to do with socialism? Wow, you really have no clue what socialism is, at all. For some reason, you assume it to be protectionism, and for some reason (the most obvious one being yet more ignorance) you are unaware of the EU internal market.

Customs duties are just that. Protectionism. Which is a lefty agenda. Case in point, Obama's tariffs on Chinese tires. What other purpose is there for excessive customs duties?

I have a better understanding of both capitalism and socialism than you ever will, having lived under, and studied both.

And Sweden does not have a higher standard of living.

[Coffin-Breathe]

I have a new appreciation for her purchase, and I think that a nice ride into the country is a perfect way to enjoy our "socialist" better health, longer life-expectancy, higher standard of living, safer roads, superior health-care, social security, low crime-rate, higher happiness indeces and all those other trinkets that we are oh, so burdened by. If all nightmares could be like this, one'd never need wake up.

...seems like I´ve to take my socialist built Saab now and drive on our socialist built and well mantained streets for my socialist doctor, whom I, `cause of that goddamn socialitic health-care program of our socialist government, not have to pay for his services, before I go to the public library, to bring these ruthless socialistic free books back to their socialistic providers, and then (pheeeww, at least) I´ll have a coffee in a proper, capitalistic coffee-shop...

[Katganistan]

No self-respecting European buys American cars.

We just buy Peugeots, Renaults and Vauxhalls instead.

Which are, on Nadkor's graph....


Oh, I see what you did there.

[Linker Niederrhein]

I read the first page.

Lawl.

I'm not sure what's more entertaining - the cluelessness of the PATRIOT AMERICANS or the HAGE of the antiamerican ideologues, but both are hilarious.

[Katganistan]

Here is what a European survey suggests.

In fact, here's the graph they have, just to save you having to click on the link:


How many in the top...well, let's say 20, are American?

That'll be none. With every US brand being below the industry average.

The one concern I'd have is that the list measures owner satisfaction, and is pretty much topped by luxury brands and Japanese brands. I would expect luxury brands, such as Audi and Mercedes Benz, to top a list of owner satisfaction.

I refer you to the post directly preceding yours.

I amended.

I'd also point out Jaguar's presence on the top of the list--I might be off base, but I recall Jag's as being regarded as being a bottomless pit of repair bills as a result of quality issues. I'd contend that this ranking is measuring something other than perception of quality.

Conspicuous consumption?

[Callisdrun]

Thank the unions for that. They cut costs on materials because they pay 30-40% more for labor.

No corporation ever got union issues that didn't deserve them. Unions are formed in response to management being apathetic towards employee grievances and concerns. Just as happy, contended citizens do not overthrow their governments in revolutions, happy, contented employees do not unionize, as there is no reason to do so. Almost every union that exists was originally formed in response to abuse. Do many of them grow greedy after essentially winning? Sure. But corporations that suffer from having to deal with them only have their own myopic managemen (often occurring decades ago) to blame.

Also, you'd do best to ignore Fass. He's just a trolling cunt who likes to insult everyone and everything that has any association with the USA.

[Fassitude]

Customs duties are just that. Protectionism. Which is a lefty agenda. Case in point, Obama's tariffs on Chinese tires. What other purpose is there for excessive customs duties?

Haha, "protectionism a leftist agenda". Becase Dubya with all his protectionism was oh, so lefty... You make me laugh. You do. And that's rare for this place after a couple of years.

I have a better understanding of both capitalism and socialism than you ever will, having lived under, and studied both.

You'd like to claim to talk the talk, but you don't talk the talk, or walk the walk.

And Sweden does not have a higher standard of living.

You may want to tell all those folk that do the measurements. Because we've consistently had higher standards of living than places like the USA, but facts, pfft - what need have you of those, when everyone knows that they can be used to prove even the most remotly true things.