dancerhas

Our local Petsmart is clearancing out their Made in USA Python brand products, and replacing them with (I think it's Aqueon brand) similar ones that are Made in China! Not only that....THEY'RE THE EXACT SAME PRICE!

I don't mind paying 30 bucks for a MIC water changing apparatus, but 70 dollars NO WAY!

Emory

lol, make sure it does not contain lead

lol lol lol

dancerhas

It'd be funnier if it wasn't so true.

prairielilly

It's a pretty neat day to be honest when I find something for sale that's 'made in Canada'...if the product works and you like it and you feel it's worth the money, wonderful, buy it. If not, don't. Sorry but I don't see the problem here, I buy lots of things 'made in USA' (usually at double the price sold for in the US) and 'made in China'. It's an import world.

Edit: who are you referring to as 'the evil scum'? Petsmart or China?

CHoffman

RIght now with our Economy and the decrease in jobs it's always great to see a American company supporting American made items..It means we are keeping the money here in the US and that translates into keeping the jobs here too...I get what your saying though..If another company can offer a better product for less money then it's fair but taking an Amercian made product off the shelf for the same priced item is a bit weird.

prairielilly

It isn't just the American economy though, it's worldwide everyone is suffering right now. In the oil industry we are all scared for our jobs and in the auto industry it's even worse. I don't have any issue with Americans trying to keep American jobs etc. but the post comes across as singling out Chinese. IMO Petsmart found a cheaper supplier for a similar product and so helped out their own bottom line. In certain economic cases it is often cheaper for a merchant to import than to sell home-grown/made merchandise. I just thought from the way the OP/second post were worded it came across as potentially offensive to Chinese ppl (I have a lot of friends/coworkers who are Chinese) and this is after all a worldwide public forum.

Edit: I bought a new heater for my 5g today online, for $31.99, and I think I got a good deal - despite the fact that the American website of the same company sells the same model for around $17 (not quite the same with the exchange rate!) Just an example.

dancerhas

I say Petsmart is evil for selling a cheaper item for the same price. Python is an american based company, with american made products. They are also very small (on the grand scheme of things) Their website looks like its from 2000. The point is. One massive retail chain cuts an american item and saves themselves 1% (just an example) But the company who makes the product that they cut might lose 25% of their business...this could conceivably ruin the company. If the company doesn't go under, they may have to cut 25% of jobs because of decreased production. This is exactly what we DON'T need right now, american manufacturing jobs being tossed out the window.

I'm not blaming the chinese for the ridiculous selfishness of american businessmen.

When it comes down to it, cheaper foreign made items are great if that price is reflected to the consumer. But when it's not, who wins? The corporation. What if they didn't save that 1%? Ok, then a few chumps like me may lose their part-time jobs due to a restructuring. That sucks, but it's not nearly as bad as someone working for a small business losing their career...their house, maybe even their family. Or even worse, upending the entire business.

prairielilly

Thanks for clearing that up.

'The ridiculous selfishness of [any nation's] businessmen' is an issue unfortunately not confined to the current economic crisis - it's not new, it just hurts more right now because the cuts go a lot deeper than they used to. I'd like to not pay import taxes on cars manufactured in Ontario, but that's the way it is. I'd like to not pay premium dollar on goods imported here that were manufactured overseas from raw materials mined right here in Canada and then shipped overseas to the manufacturing plant, but that's the way it is. I could go on, but no point. I agree with you that the current economic situation SUCKS - in all areas and aspects - and from the point of view of a 'minion in the trenches' in a less-than-optimal oil industry, I just really hope it's over soon. Your country is hurting and I sympathize with that. Mine is too.

dancerhas

You make a really good point. Too often we (americans) think we're the only country that's being hit by this. A lot of people in my family are being hit hard by everything that's happening (my brother works for circuit city). It really hit a nerve when I saw an american company being so selfish. I'm sure there are other ways of cutting costs that don't put other companies at risk. I work for a small business, so I really understand how important every single contract is. Fortunately I'm blessed to be with a company that is growing.

prairielilly

In my workplace, there's two distinct groups: the newbies (incl. me) with less than 5 yrs experience, and the 'old souls', who have seen it all before and then some. I've asked a lot of these 'old souls' whether or not I should worry (being brand new-out of school and just a bit prone to worrying...) What they tell me is that the best way to get through this economic mess is to hunker down and just ride it out, be smart and work hard. Pretty simple - it's what we were all doing in the first place anyway. They've been through it before (they tell me the late 90's was REALLY bad) so I figure they know what they're talking about. Whenever I'm up against something I can't really do anything about I try not to think about it to much (and in this case, also discourage myself from buying the new 55g I've been wanting ).

I'm sorry it's hitting you and your family so hard. None of us (countries or people) are in this alone I think. It's a global problem, and in our two country's cases we have some new leaders who (I for one) am excited about watching in hopes of seeing them make a positive impact.

dancerhas

Perhaps I should take your approach, I'm always on a mission to change the world; mostly by yelling at it.

prairielilly

!!! Oh believe me, I yell at it too (a lot) - just certain things I fight, certain things I don't...it's a 'conservation of energy' game. I still want to change the world, but I choose my battles carefully. Google's Blogger has been really good for ranting actually.