Is it or Isn't It Made in the USA?

I was just online doing some comparison shopping.  Of course, I look for products that are made in the USA.  Here's one that was worth sharing.

item details

• Material: Plastic
• Dimensions: 12.0 " L x 12.0 " W x 12.0 " T
• Weight: 0.65 Lb.  

other Info

• Online Item #: 13331626
• Store Item Number (DPCI): 081-06-0246
• Made in the USA or Imported

Based on that description, is the product made in the USA or not?  I actually had to do a zoom of the picture of the product in order to find out that it is indeed Made in the USA.  On a different retailer's website, I tried the same search and participated in a live chat to get the answer.  I was asked several questions about what I was going to use the bubble wrap for prior to being given the country of origin.  Besides entertainment and packing, what else is bubble wrap used for?  (Everyone loves popping bubble wrap.)  I had to re-ask my question in order to get the answer.  Needless to say, that purchase was lost.

Tell me about some of your online experiences in finding products made in the USA.  I love to hear read your stories.

Karina
I love comments!

 

Powered by Disqus

Shop-A-Thon Thursday

Welcome back to Shop-A-Thon Thursday.  I have found a lot of good companies this week.  I have several more that are coming in next week's wrap-up.  I say this every week, but this is so exciting to be able to showcase these companies.  Every purchase of an American-made product creates another job.  How many can you create?  Enjoy!

2 Little Bostons (Hillsborough, NH) Pet bakery for dogs, cats and small animals, including jerky and treats.
Dan's Chocolates (Burlington, VT) Fresh, hand-made gourmet truffles, delivered directly from Dan's Chocolates to you.  (As in they make it at their factory in VT, you order it, and they deliver it to you!)
FlattenMe (HQ CA, Atlanta, GA; Salt Lake City, UT) Personalized books and gifts that magically transform your star into a superhero, mermaid, pirate and more. His/Her face and name used throughout the story. As seen on Oprah, Today Show, Good Morning America and more as the 'hot gift to give'!
Forking Queen (Chappell, NE) Silverware jewelry - spoon bracelets, fork rings, spoon rings - all handmade.
Heartfelt Books (Delaware or Texas) Personalized books.  You select questions to answer that best fit your relationship or style. Then, they take your answers and create a book.
Jelly Belly (Fairfield, CA) Jelly beans.  Here's a video of their story.  The company was featured on "How I Made My Millions."
J. McLaughlin (Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY) 30% of their clothing and accessories are made in the USA. These are some of those products. Maria Halter Dress, Catalina Spring Tee, Slim Fit Bi-Stretch Dixie
K'NEX (Hatfield, PA) The next generation of construction toys.
The Land of Nod (HQ Morton Grove, IL) Can you say baby, baby and more baby?  Furniture, bedding, storage, decor, toys, gifts, nursery items, even a baby registry.
Old Time Candy (LaGrange, OH) "The best selection of retro candy"  They have candy by the decade all the way back to pre-20s so just about any age range will stroll down memory lane here.  I did and I loved it.
Snapily (Beltsville, MD) Personalized 3D and animated cards or gifts. These look so cool. I don't mean to sound like a kid, but they really do. If you check them out, you'll say it too. Either that or I'm just easily entertained.

Karina
I love comments!

Some of these links are affiliate links. Please see my PR/Disclosure page.

Shop-A-Thon Thursday

I have to confess that I look forward to Thursdays now, so I can share all of the wonderful manufacturers and retailers that offer products that are made in the USA. 

As a note, the retailers that I list here have a search option for products that are made in the USA and I do go in and verify that somewhere in the product description "Made in the USA" appears.  One retailer had over 200 products and I did go in and check all of them.  While that may not always be the case, I do my absolute best to ensure you that I do go in and check.  If you experience something different, please let me know.  

• Little Tikes
• All American Clothing Co.
• Tattoosales.com - Temporary Tattoos
• Westport Big & Tall  

Enjoy!

Karina

Thanksgiving Menu Thoughts

It is Fun Food Friday.  Yesterday, I ran up to the market to purchase our "Date Night" cuisine.  I confess I got a bit distracted while at the store.  Before going to the store, we talked about Thanksgiving so it was still on my mind when I got there.  I began looking around for ideas for our Thanksgiving menu.  On a box of beef broth, I noticed that it said Distributed by, but nothing about made in U.S.A. or product of U.S.A.  This is where the distraction stepped in.  I checked several well known brand name items and no made in the U.S.A.  Surely, I could find something in this market that was made in the U.S.A.  Alas, I did.  Here's the list of some that I found:

• King Arthur All Purpose and Whole Wheat flours - "Milled from 100% USA wheat."  Yay!   
• Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, yep you got it - Product of U.S.A. 
• PET Evaporated Milk - Product of U.S.A.
• Carnation Evaporated Milk also Product of U.S.A.  
• Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil stamped its "Foil made in U.S.A." seal right on front.

After an aisle or two of searching for U.S.-made products, I did remember that I had a date to get to.  My husband cooked us a wonderful meal.  We ended up eating and then cuddling with the kids.  I know, I know.  What kind of date is that?  We joked about it, thinking that these moments are priceless and as long as we have them, hold on to them - the moment and the kids.  Go hug your loved ones!

Karina

By the way, my purchase created another 70,514 jobs.  (See this previous post to see where that figure came from.)

Mom Helps Create Jobs

According to an ABC News: Made In America report, if we, Americans, spent $64 per year on products made in America, we could create 200,000 jobs.  How exciting is that!   I can spend $5.33 per month to create 16,667 jobs every month!  My part in helping the economy get back on the upswing is in my purchase.  Seems simple enough.  So I set out to make my first purposeful Made in the U.S.A. purchase.  I bought my prenatal vitamins - One A Day^® Women’s Prenatal vitamins.  

Based on my purchase and math, I created 42,104 jobs. That figure blows me away.  I buy some vitamins and create some jobs.  Let's see how many more jobs I can create.  You know, if 5 people spend $320, that would create a million jobs.  Since the holiday season is coming up, that doesn't seem that unrealistic.  $5.33 a month could equal a lot more than a few pennies.  It could equal someone's livelihood.  Happy Shopping!

Karina