One place that seems to be getting a lot of business from me is Harbor Freight.
Its very hard to pass up their deal on 90 degree die grinders for $9.99, and they even have a lot of torque!
Things like picks, NOID lights, and other specialty tools that might be used a hand full of times a year are actually nice, when faced with buying a name brand item.
Things like sockets, ball joint press, and heavy duty mechanic tools kind of blow, and will let you down.
All in all, you can save some money there. I am positive that everything made at Harbor Freight was made in China, so its not so great for our economy, however how long can China keep making things at a loss? I mean $9.99 for a die grinder that likley cost $12 to make, package and ship is a little extreeme.
-- Edited by SELLC on Saturday 3rd of October 2009 04:07:06 PM
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
You are supporting sweat shop operations... The truly sad point is that many "domestic" companies have sent their manufacturing process off-shore... with their goods being built on the same production line as the cheapest tools.
The packaging proclaims "proudly made in America".... And it is.... the packaging IS proudly made in America....
For quite some time I have made a point to buy things made in the U.S.A. I am sure that you too likley prefer to buy something made in Canada, but the plain fact remains that weather you are in Canada or in the U.S.A. we have been flooded with stuff made in China.
Sometimes I have to wonder if China is taking a loss or barely breaking even on some of the stuff they export. Some of the stuff they flood our market with is priced so low its hard to imagine how they make money. I never thought I would see the day when it would be less expensive to ship things half way around the world, than to make it right here.
I recently read an article where China was buying Gynsing (Sp?) root from people in Wisconson and them little fuckers actually had the nerve to demand quality! WTF!? What about all the crap they export? From poison dog food, to kids toys with lead based paint.
This christmas I took notice to how many of the kids toys were made in China and I was somewhat pissed when the Lionel train and Mongoose bike that I got the kids were made in China. These two names were proudly made in the U.S.A. back in the day, but not now.
Yes sometimes I wonder.... Are they hurting us, or are we hurting them? After all the quality of life in China must not be all that great. The pollution from making all this crap is sure to take its toll on the people of China, whom are likley opressed and forced into working for nearly nothing, and how could they be making a good wage when they sell items for what would seem to be less than the amount to ship it around the world.
Has the world inslaved China? Its hard to say, but they sure have taken over most of the manufaturing base. I have no doubts that Americans could take to making bombs, missles, guns and tanks just like in the past should they get too big for their britches.
What bothers me most is the efforts made to save China from loosing investment money. Every other American took a hit in this recession, China should not be exempt. It is my feeling that they NEED US to buy their stuff more than we need to buy it. I could live without many of the cheap China made stuff on store shelfs, but the question is could they? I know I would NEVER buy any food made in China, but maybe thats why we have moved much of this industry over there. Maybe its better the people there expose themselfs to the pollution than have it over here?
I know I have been putting off buying one of them new Big Screen LCD TV's because I cant stand to think how much they make off that big ticket item. I guess one day I will have no choice but to buy one, but if things keep getting worse I have no doubt the prices will drop even more. For example a 52 inch LCD TV back two years ago was $3000, now days you can get the same TV in 55 inches for $1000. Soon I bet they will be down to $500-$800.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
I am guilty once again for buying China made crap at harbor freight!
Got a SWEET Deal on a nice set of picks.... $1.99 and they look just like the ones you get off the truck.
Also got a pair of 100 latex gloves (Nasty sludge job) for $3.99!! Yeah $3.99! I could have gotten the Nitrle or whatever its spelled but I like a nice tight fit.
Got a nice set of 4 peice pry bars up to 24" for $7.00
The reason I went there was to buy some ratchet straps. They were $10 for a set of 4 and I use them a lot to send freight.
Not bad pricing for little stuff, I think I did okay. Only problem is I dont think ONE THING in Harbor Freight is made in the USA.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
