From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15]
16 Apr 2005
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#13] 16 Apr 2005
Doug,
Buying domestic products is becoming less of an option for U.S. citizens every day. I know you are one supplier that is keeping our hopes alive.
On the project described above, I purchase from a U.S. company who originally manufactured the product domestically. The past two years they have come with "Made in China" stickers on the bottom. I questioned my supplier on this issue last year when they raised their unit price a couple bucks but began outsourcing the manufacturing. With no hesitation, they said no one can remain competitive in today's market without outsourcing overseas.
I have a 2" x 12" jade glass nameplate that I sell a great deal of throughout the year. My inventory was getting low so I got a couple quotes from the domestic suppliers I used in the past. Their pricing seemed to be increasing a bit aggressively, so I did a little exploring into the importing process. To make a long story short, I have a quote from a reputable manufacturer in China that can produce this same piece for $4, plus it will be in K9 optical crystal as opposed to jade glass. My best domestically produced price for a jade glass piece was $15 per unit on a quantity of 200. I know there are shipping costs and duties to pay, but it makes the decision to keep things domestic very difficult.
EDITED: 16 Apr 2005 by DATAKES
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#16]
16 Apr 2005
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#14] 16 Apr 2005
Doug,
I really need to critique my terminology. What I should have said is that I have a $70 per hour charge, not wage. That amount is intended cover my overhead and salary.
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#17]
16 Apr 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#15] 16 Apr 2005
I hear ya David...I don't know that we are not so far gone in our importation role in the world that we will ever recover from it....until of course...the tide changes and the import product is costing more than it could be made state side...unfortunately by then, the production equip and knowledge will be gone.
I fear for this country and our children (grandchildren). So few are being trained in the trades, know how to make anything. And now with so many computer related jobs going offshore, what are these young folks going to do to make a living??
I do believe that we are all responsible to make whatever difference we can, even if just one item out of 10 today...maybe tomorrow it can be 2 out of 10 and so on and so on!
Sometimes it is OK to put what is right before profits...especially if one is making $220 per hour (I would think).
Of course, now that I'm an engraver (I did spell that right, right?), I can change my song and dance and think more about how to bank the green!
Doug
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#18]
16 Apr 2005
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#17] 16 Apr 2005
Doug,
Welcome aboard!
I might be interested in a used dust collector if you have one for sale now. :-)
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#19]
16 Apr 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#18] 16 Apr 2005
Used dust collection...where were you about two months ago...I finally got rid of the last 3 that I had available....had something like 10- four baggers avail at one time. I have gone to one 25hp central unit now....
Doug
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#20]
16 Apr 2005
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#19] 16 Apr 2005
Doug,
Too little, too late.
Your new setup sounds great, I bet your loving it.
From: logojohn [#21]
16 Apr 2005
To: ALL
This post has been deleted here and moved to its own thread.EDITED: 16 Apr 2005 by DATAKES
From: UncleSteve [#22]
16 Apr 2005
To: logojohn [#21] 16 Apr 2005
Yeah! 6 times!!!!!
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