Originally Posted by
Grant Wilkinson
To me, we, the consumers are the biggest part of this. It's not the cheap import that puts a Canadian or US manufacturer out of business. It's us, the consumers, buying the cheap imports that puts the Canadian or US business out of business. Every time a new Walmart opens here, there are news stories about how the wicked Walmart will kill the local Ma and Pa store. They would not die if I and other buyers didn't shop at Walmart. But, on opening day, we are lined up like sheep outside the door to buy cheap Chinese tee shirts. Then, we go home and wonder why Ma and Pa clothing store has closed.
In woodworking terms, if we all bought Oneway or General or Robust or whatever made in Canada or US, General would still be making machines in Canada. Instead, we choose to buy imports from China, then blame China for General going out of business. I'm not saying that I am any different from anyone else. I have so much money to spend and I want the best bang for my buck. But, I need to realize that I'm part of the problem.