Why aren't online retailers required to reveal country of origin?

[Rakehellion]

How is "country of origin" defined?

- Is it the owners birth nation?

- Is it the owners physical location?

- Is it where the inventory is kept and shipped from?

- Is it where the server is located?

- Is the country of manufacture for products sold?

Fern

The last one.

 

[Rakehellion]

This is still anti-business.

You are refusing the American corporation from getting a bigger and better profit from the cheaply made product.

Why don't you want to empower the job creators??

Because it's better to empower the buyer by letting them support whatever the fuck they want.

 

[WelshBloke]

The last one.

How much of the product?

Can I import it to the US then add a widget and call it American made?

Personally I'm all for as much information as the consumers want it's just this would be really open to "creative" labelling.

 

[Oyeve]

I only buy products designed and made from Earth. I refuse to buy elsewhere.

 

[Fern]

The last one.

So, if it's regarding the county of manufacture (or origin, whatever) I would guess the problem, if it exists, is how the law is designed.

I don't know for sure, but I thought the manufacturer (or perhaps importer) was required to label the products so consumers would know the country of origin.

I do not think the B&M retailer is required to do anything itself. Consumers can physically examine the product to see the label for themselves if they are interested.

Like the B&M retailer, it appears the internet retailer is not required to do anything. I.e., they are on equal footing as regards this.

To the extent there is a problem, it's that internet shoppers cannot physically examine the product to see its sticker. However, for those who are truly interested I would think googling for more product details would provide the info.

Fern

 

[realibrad]

Totally agreed.

But, what will enforce this information to be provided - self regulation? Nope.

It would have to be mandated by the government - and that sends the usual suspects into herp-a-derp mode. And, that is who I am mocking in my original and follow up post.

More often than not, self regulation works better than government regulation. Self regulation has some feed back, while government almost never does.

I dont need the government telling me I shouldnt buy a new Lexus, I self regulate. The government works best when it enforces contracts, and makes 1st and 2nd parties pay for 3rd party effects. USPS is failing horribly because of government regulation. Fedex and UPS do a lot better with far less regulation.

 

[Fenixgoon]

So, basically, you want to pay more for a product that is of the same quality? I dont support the overpriced "made in america" label. In fact, most, if not all, "american" made cars are barely made the us of a. Something like 60% or so.

I'd much rather have something made in japan over the us or any other country. Its funny, in the 60s and 70s we bitched about shit MIJ and once everything started coming from China we now realized the stuff from Japan was way superior.

plastic measuring cup made in china: $8

pyrex measuring cup made in USA: $6.

not only did i get a better product, i got it for $2 less.

i'm willing to pay more to:

1) keep citizens of this country employed through manufacturing
2) receive a (presumably) higher quality product

now, how much of #2 is obviously debatable.

you could also argue that by buying chinese made products, we're lifting millions of people into better economic positions than they were previously.

but yes, i'm willing to pay more for a USA made product.

 

[Matt1970]

So, basically, you want to pay more for a product that is of the same quality? I dont support the overpriced "made in america" label.

A lot of people feel the same way, and then they are shocked when their job goes overseas. It boggles the mind don't it?

 

[nageov3t]

I'm surprised this isn't already a law.

this article raises a pretty good point about why people might want to specifically avoid Made-in-America routers (and as an American, I'd probably avoid Made-in-China routers for the same reason)

The NSA has been covertly implanting interception tools in US servers heading overseas – even though the US government has warned against using Chinese technology for the same reasons

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/12/glenn-greenwald-nsa-tampers-us-internet-routers-snowden

 

[momeNt]

We're supposed to vote with our wallets, and that includes choosing which countries we support or boycott. B&M shops are required to display country of origin, so why aren't online retailers?

Think about what you are saying.

Vote with your wallet, buy B&M where the country of origin is displayed. There, you just cast your vote.

Or, buy products online which have reviews that have country of origin. Or buy products without it displayed, and post that in your own review.

Be the change you want to see in the world. Don't just be a bleating sheep whining about wanting change.