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Common Misconceptions about buying American

Posted on January 28th, 2016By Amanda Soper

Buying American is a great premises, right? If you answered yes then you would be correct! So why is it that a lot of us don’t? After discussing this issue with friends, relatives and among ourselves these are some common misconceptions and conclusions we came up with:

1) $$$ Too Expensive $$$ - just like with anything else, you can spend as much or as little as you want. From clothing to home goods to pet supplies, there are so many different American made brands that get the job done without breaking the bank.

2) Fashion and American made don’t mix – this, in my opinion, has to be one of the biggest misconceptions. Honestly, when my brother started shopping American and hinted that I should do the same my shopaholic and self-proclaimed fashionista alter-ego freaked out: “What if I have to completely change my wardrobe and there aren’t any cute clothes, accessories, or shoe options?” “Oh my goodness, what if I have to dress like a homeschooler (I can say that since I was homeschooled ;) )” Little did I know, there are SO many super trendy companies. Because of this, none of us will ever have to sacrifice our sense of style for supporting the American made movement!

3) “I like supporting good causes” – If this is you then we absolutely LOVE your giving heart!! We would only advise for you to check out what cause it is that you’re really supporting. While some companies claim to raise money to help people, many times the products that they sell are manufactured in countries without fair labor practices. Or as my brother likes to say, “By kids, for kids”. This means that while the company you purchased the product from may donate money to a selected cause, that same company might manufacture their products in a country that allows sweatshops and factories employing children. Who then helps the poor people earning pennies a day and working in horrible conditions to make the shoes that you now enjoy? Definitely something to think about.

4) Brick and Mortar please – We can’t say that we blame you there! Nothing will ever replace the thrill of going to a store and trying on a cute pair of shoes. But luckily for you buying American is just as easy in brick and mortar shops as it is online! Buying from small local businesses is a great way to find cool and unique American made products. However, if you’re into big chain stores then there’s still plenty of options out there as well! Nordstrom, Von Maur, Bloomingdales, and TJ Maxx (to name a few) all carry American made brands so just keep an eye out next time you stop in!

5) “I just don’t think about it” – I feel like not paying attention to where stuff is made is something that has just been ingrained into our society. I envy my great grandparents because I guarantee they never had to check either --- mainly because the majority of products sold in their day were actually made in the USA! Today, it’s unfortunate that the majority of products on store shelves were imported from somewhere else. That’s why it’s so crucial for us all to pay attention to where the products we purchase come from. We live in this country so we might as well support it! Let's give our economy a boost! Let’s give our neighbors and our friends their jobs back. We can make it happen, one purchase at a time! :)

Additional Resources

All American Reviews - This is a great resource for getting good quality reviews on different American made products before you make a purchase. Analyzing each product and detailing their results based on style, functionality, value, quality, etc., they provide a breakdown of the things they like and don't like about each product they review. They also provide links to help you learn more about the items you like, and breakdown their reviews into categories to help you find what you're looking for more easily.

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