In July of 2011 I went into a Reebok store with my girlfriend who wanted to buy a pair of shoes. I was bored. I started to look at labels and noticed something odd. Everything was made in Asia–hats, socks, shoes, everything except a plain white pair of tube socks.
That was the catalyst. Since then I’ve begun a search to find American made products– not just junk–but US made products that you would want to buy.
I’m looking in stores, hunting the web, searching for and,
When in stores I ask for made in USA items. I seem to get a Lot of those “deer in the headlight” looks. Many of the department stores might as well have all their signage in Chinese. It’s tough to find USA stuff, but its there.
I do a lot of looking at labels, web searches and e-mails to companies. When possible I purchase items and write about them and post where you can find them. When I find something good I’ll let you know. That is why I’ve started this web-site and Made in USA Report blog, to help Americans find products made in the U.S..
The hardest part is figuring out what products are made in America when a company outsources. For instance Wilson Sporting goods makes footballs in Ohio, but go to a sporting goods store and pick up a Wilson football, it’s made in China. You have to buy the official NFL or NCAA ball.
For more information about "Made in USA" labeling, see this article by the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Most products I list are manufactured in the United States. When assembled in USA I mark that, and usually I include those items because the line is partially manufactured in the US— partially from imported components. You find this in products that have various mixed materials in the manufacturing process. Post-it Note Pads are made in the USA and most packages will say that, but there are a few products that have a pen component, which is imported.
If I am wrong about a product, let me know. You can post a message on the blog. But take it easy on me when you send corrections. Its a global economy and even the best of American companies use outsourcing.
Ordering: Remember, just because its made in America doesn’t mean it’s a good product. I can’t try out all the USA products, I try to review as much as I can, but it’s up to you to decide. I post as many items on Amazon as I can because they list reviews of the product and the seller. Do your homework, especially if you are purchasing a high-ticket item.
- Look at the reviews
- Look at the return policy before purchasing. Look for policies that offer free exchange shipping–you’ll most likely have to pay to return the item.
- Make sure the item is from the company or resource I list.
- When buying clothes, many of the manufacturers offer a customer service number to assist in sizing. When calling, have a tape measure or ruler handy, and a piece of clothing or the sizes of clothes that already fit you.
- In the limited space provided for each product it is sometimes difficult to include product and manufacturing information. Many of the companies listed may manufacture partially in the U.S.. Those companies may have a plant in the United States, but distribute multiple brands using support manufacturing and or components from overseas suppliers. If I list a producer of jeans as being made in the USA, that does not mean their entire line of clothes is domestically produced. I will try my best to denote which product lines are made In USA.
Affiliation: You will find other made In USA stores that sell items, or use affiliation as a driving force to post their products. I do use affiliate links, especially Amazon, but I post everything, even if there is no affiliate program for the product. You can support my efforts by shopping with these affiliates, but I’m going to post everything I find, especially if I find it interesting, well designed and affordable.
