Disregarding quality and any other factor other than price, I would buy from the cheapest place and for several reasons.

1. Products made overseas does not mean that the money goes to their nation. An american company based in China, using chinese workers, actually makes money for America. It's the same thing with japenese automobile makers based in America. So just because it's "made" in a certain nation doesn't imply that that nation reaps the rewards.

2. Reducing costs for Americans leaves more money in our pockets. That makes it easier to pay our bills and/or spend our money on other companies. Thus increasing GDP (a growth indicator and general number of an economy's health). And because we're spending more, the stock market also increases based on sales and GDP numbers. It is good for the overall economy.

3. Making products cheaper keeps the market competitive. That keeps prices down and supply high, which means more product for the consumer. It also helps invigorative competition to become better. That means that they have to match or get an edge on competition if they want to survive.

4. If competition can produce a similar product cheaper, that gives them a comparable advantage. It can also lead to American companies to specialize in a different product and dominate with that instead. This would increase the production possibilities frontier (PPF) and benefits all of the industry in general.

As one of my favourite quotes says, "you only have to pay for quality once."

I search for the cheapest best things I can find. I know that statement sounds a little contradictory, and it is.

I shop for quality first, and then price second. Things made in your local country may have a special meaning to you, but that does not mean that they are superior, even though in some situations they are.

Sometimes stuff made in other countries by underpaid factory workers can be just as good as stuff made by little robotic hands. After all, if the workers mess up, they have their reproductive organs removed as a warning.

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hmm my bigger purchases I tend to buy american (major appliances,Car I guess my house too thats in america?) but truth be told when it come to electronics i want them to say "Konichiwa"

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I would love to say I would always buy american and pay more. however With my budget like it is I have to really watch my budget with my family to worry about and the ecomomy being the way it is

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Either come back with the flag or covered with paint.


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Most Americans won't work factory jobs without their precious union ensuring that they are way overpayed. This drives up prices and causes those same Americans to buy foreign made products.

This doesn't even bring to mention the lack of innovation and quality of American products. The best example of this would be the auto industry. Foreign automakers are leading the way and US automakers are more concerned with how many different trim packages they can come up with.

Do I support US companies just because they're US companies? No.
I support innovation, and that is the real American way.

That is called inflation.

Its better for Americans to pay somebody in China $1-$3 to make a t-shirt than it is to pay an American $25-$30 to make the same shirt.


The fact is that manufacturing jobs are considered low-skill labor. Low-skill labor does not get paid highly. Most Americans would rather collect welfare than work a low-skill labor job that isn't paying a ridiculous hourly rate.

McDonald's is always hiring, but people still remain jobless in the US. Where does the blame lie for that? If you don't have a job, then no job is too low for you.