This and that

[Timj]

I was thinking Christmas gifts this year. I wouldn't know where to sell stuff around here we all are broke haha! Hoping this economy starts to boom again soon. Possibly fixing the Chinese import problem as well.

I used to show at craft fairs. But, the only ones getting rich from those are the promoters not the artists. I recently spoke with another wood worker and he said he'd be lucky to cover the cost of his space. I always had the same issue. Lots of tire kickers and only a few that actually purchased things. I could always hear folks stating they could purchase something similar at Walmarts for a lot less. Exactly why we need similar tariffs as the UK imposes. Those folks pay 100% of the light cost for a HLG LED when it's imported into the UK. So, they simply purchase lighting made in the UK.

 

[oldmaninbc]

I used to show at craft fairs. But, the only ones getting rich from those are the promoters not the artists. I recently spoke with another wood worker and he said he'd be lucky to cover the cost of his space. I always had the same issue. Lots of tire kickers and only a few that actually purchased things. I could always hear folks stating they could purchase something similar at Walmarts for a lot less. Exactly why we need similar tariffs as the UK imposes. Those folks pay 100% of the light cost for a HLG LED when it's imported into the UK. So, they simply purchase lighting made in the UK.

Yep, make goods here and also allow the consumer, "the right to repair." Rather than throwing everything in the dump when it breaks down. When my year old kitchen range broke down I was told the motherboard was toast and would be better to buy a new stove rather than repair. I am old and was always use to fixing home appliances, not replacing them because one thing wasn't working any longer.
Trying to work on your own vehicle has become difficult for the average person and the cost for service at a suppliers is very costly.

 

[Timj]

Yep, make goods here and also allow the consumer, "the right to repair." Rather than throwing everything in the dump when it breaks down. When my year old kitchen range broke down I was told the motherboard was toast and would be better to buy a new stove rather than repair. I am old and was always use to fixing home appliances, not replacing them because one thing wasn't working any longer.
Trying to work on your own vehicle has become difficult for the average person and the cost for service at a suppliers is very costly.

I agree @oldmaninbc. I've replaced the burner elements, oven element, and 2 element switches and then the motherboard on my Frigidaire oven/range. It's over 13 years old now and other than a few scuffs on the porcelain around the burners it still works great. Parts used to be cheap. In the past few years things have gone crazy. Now, everything is cheaper to throw away versus fixing.

 

[jayr1787]

It's funny we went through 2 propane furnaces here in 12 years but the old woodstove still burns beautifully. Simple was better, was more work but it didn't need a technician to fix. I'd take old over new anything these days. And American made

 

[oldmaninbc]

I'm old enough to remember when Canada had an industrial industry. Quality made items with the ability to repair them yourself. There was lots of work available and a blue collar working man could support a family. I'm not saying that every job paid good wages, it didn't. However, there was more opportunities and you didn't need higher education to make a decent living.

But yet I'm not so sure that those days will ever return as they were. Time will tell.

 

[Timj]

I believe profits were gained by having China manufacture everything for the world as they do not have environmental standards like the rest of the world. Now folks want to raise our taxes to pay for cleaner plants in China. How about building those cleaner plants in the USA and Canada and bringing those jobs back here.

 

[oldmaninbc]

I believe profits were gained by having China manufacture everything for the world as they do not have environmental standards like the rest of the world. Now folks want to raise our taxes to pay for cleaner plants in China. How about building those cleaner plants in the USA and Canada and bringing those jobs back here.

That's what needs to happen, North America was/is quite capable of looking after itself. Globalization was sold to us but never produced the results that helped the average person, quite the opposite.
How about providing a future for us!!!
I completely agree with you Timj

 

[Dime]

I'm old enough to remember when Canada had an industrial industry. Quality made items with the ability to repair them yourself. There was lots of work available and a blue collar working man could support a family. I'm not saying that every job paid good wages, it didn't. However, there was more opportunities and you didn't need higher education to make a decent living.

But yet I'm not so sure that those days will ever return as they were. Time will tell.

Canada Goose still makes good apparel,roots makes good shoes,palliser makes nice furniture. Some of it is pricey but long lasting.

 

[Timj]

Canada Goose still makes good apparel,roots makes good shoes,palliser makes nice furniture. Some of it is pricey but long lasting.

I'd agree there still are a few, very rare manufactures that still make products in country. But, it is now the exception. Most still source their raw materials from Asia, or the middle east.

 

[oldmaninbc]

I meant this for Dime


My Mrs. bought a clothing article at Walmart and the seam came apart. She took it back and the employee said to her, she should just take it home a and sew it herself, as if this is standard procedure. The Mrs said no to that.
Why buy something new, only for you to have to repair it yourself. That's crazy.

 

[Dime]

I meant this for Dime


My Mrs. bought a clothing article at Walmart and the seam came apart. She took it back and the employee said to her, she should just take it home a and sew it herself, as if this is standard procedure. The Mrs said no to that.
Why buy something new, only for you to have to repair it yourself. That's crazy.

I miss sears,they had good stuff.

 

[Timj]

Remember when L.L.Bean had a lifetime warranty on all their products and now they no longer do. They no longer sell quality products they stand behind.
Very similar to Craftsman, everything made in China has the lowest possible quality and is designed for the largest profit margins. I remember when Made in America was considered the highest quality money could buy. And the American workers took pride in the products they made.
Even companies like Harley Davidson had to remove their labeling of Made in the USA. They are predominantly a Chinese bike assembled in the USA.

 

[Dime]

I'd agree there still are a few, very rare manufactures that still make products in country. But, it is now the exception. Most still source their raw materials from Asia, or the middle east.

Tariffs will solve it

 

[Timj]

Tariffs will solve it

I believe a fair and equal trade agreement would balance things better than higher tariffs alone. But, higher tariffs do seem to work for other countries.

 

[Dime]

I believe a fair and equal trade agreement would balance things better than higher tariffs alone. But, higher tariffs do seem to work for other countries.

Hopefully it will get better products manufactured at home instead of disposable import goods that have no shelf life.

 

[oldmaninbc]

I miss sears,they had good stuff.

Use to order from sears all the time. The last time we bought appliances we bought them from the Sears store in the city. We got a good deal on 5 appliances.
I wonder if it was poor poor management or sears felt it would cost too much to revamp it's business model? Sears was around a very long time. Every kid growing up waited for the Christmas Wish book. I seen the old Christmas Wish books on E-Bay for sale, imagine that.
I never ever had a problem with any returns.
Even bought my household insurance through their stores.

 

[Dime]

Use to order from sears all the time. The last time we bought appliances we bought them from the Sears store in the city. We got a good deal on 5 appliances.
I wonder if it was poor poor management or sears felt it would cost too much to revamp it's business model? Sears was around a very long time. Every kid growing up waited for the Christmas Wish book. I seen the old Christmas Wish books on E-Bay for sale, imagine that.
I never ever had a problem with any returns.
Even bought my household insurance through their stores.

We bought our appliances ,furniture,tires,parts,tools,clothes etc there. We still have a kenmore washer . Walmart destroyed our Sears store with their low prices but I look at them as the worlds biggest dollar store and don't shop there.

 

[oldmaninbc]

I believe a fair and equal trade agreement would balance things better than higher tariffs alone. But, higher tariffs do seem to work for other countries.

I've been looking over reports from industrial manufacturing associations. Tariffs have the potential to even trade imbalances but at the same time they can drive up costs to some degree and even lower employment opportunities. There are a number of variables that can have positive or negative outcomes. It's a lot for a average brain like mine to take in.
I just hope it all turns out better for the average person and in the end fair agreements that benefits all parties equally.
You seem to have a balanced opinion on the matter.

 

[Dime]

Free trade could have been fine if countries dealt with other countries known for their craftsmanship and outstanding products but where I live we get 95% Chinese garbage,but then again people are cheap and ruined it for themselves,personally I'd rather spend more and experience better quality than save a few bucks and and have to replace it all the time. They bitch about pollution then market products that go in the dump quickly, some break before you leave the store.

 

[oldmaninbc]

We bought our appliances ,furniture,tires,parts,tools,clothes etc there. We still have a kenmore washer . Walmart destroyed our Sears store with their low prices but I look at them as the worlds biggest dollar store and don't shop there.

We live in a rural setting with limited shopping opportunities and sometimes you just shop where you can save money. Walmart is not high on my list for shopping but if I can save money on some items, that's where we go. Most of my shopping is done with cdn retailers, it's better when that money stays in the province and profits allow the business to grow when necessary.
We all need to live and we all need to make a living.