US Olympic outfits- Made in China

#1
utvolpj

utvolpj

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#1
Not that I view it as a huge deal but we should have a little more pride than this.

Team USA To Be Decked Out in Uniforms Made in China - ABC News

They are the pride of America — Team U.S.A. — and for the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in London, they’ll be proudly wearing red, white and blue, from beret to blazer.
The classic American style — shown in an image above — was crafted by designer Ralph Lauren. But just how American is it?
When ABC News looked at the labels, it found “made in China.”
Every item in the uniforms that the U.S. athletes will be wearing at the opening ceremony in London will carry an overseas label.
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#2
#2
I saw this in the paper this morning. First reaction was along the lines of the more patriotic, but then I thought, wait, don't we owe China trillions of dollars that we've borrowed? I'm sad that we don't have this kind of manufacturing in America anymore, but I'm okay with the US Olympic team saving a little money.
 
#3
#3
but I'm not sure they did save money based on this quote

Nanette Lepore, one of the top U.S. fashion designers, said she was shocked that none of the uniforms had been made in the states. Further, Lepore said that it was “absolutely” possible that the athletes could have been outfitted in U.S.-made clothing. She said U.S. manufactures could have easily made the uniforms — and for less.
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I think someone just farmed it out without thinking through the process and what they were buying
 
#4
#4
Ralph Lauren couldn't have had them made for less in the US. Not unless a factory was willing to do it at a big discount.

I could really care less about all of this. Are the swimmers goggles and speedos made in the us? The track teams cleats? The gymnasts leotards? The boxers headgear?
 
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#5
#5
I don't know if I agree about the cost issue unless they got an Olympic special. One of my hobbies is camping and I prefer to use a hammock. The big competitors are Hennessy and Clark. Hennessy can outfit you with a hammock, tarp and straps for under $200, Clark provides the same for around $400. Both are high quality, Hennessy's are made in China, Clark's in the US. To me, Made in the USA will most often mean higher cost.
 
#8
#8
YorkVol said:
I don't know if I agree about the cost issue unless they got an Olympic special. One of my hobbies is camping and I prefer to use a hammock. The big competitors are Hennessy and Clark. Hennessy can outfit you with a hammock, tarp and straps for under $200, Clark provides the same for around $400. Both are high quality, Hennessy's are made in China, Clark's in the US. To me, Made in the USA will most often mean higher cost.
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Of course. Consumer goods are almost always cheaper to make overseas.
 
#9
#9
Someone said on the radio that US manufacturers would make them for free. I have a hard time believing that though. Not because I don't believe somebody would be willing to offer up free uniforms for publicity, in red carpet type appeal, but because I really don't think anybody is dumb enough turn down saved money (assuming quality is similar, and anything without a beret is better imo).
 
#10
#10
Weezy said:
Someone said on the radio that US manufacturers would make them for free. I have a hard time believing that though. Not because I don't believe somebody would be willing to offer up free uniforms for publicity, in red carpet type appeal, but because I really don't think anybody is dumb enough turn down saved money (assuming quality is similar, and anything without a beret is better imo).
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Why would a US manufacturer do it for free when they know Ralph Lauren is turning around and selling them for that much $$?
 
#11
#11
And just because they’re made in China doesn’t mean they’re cheap. The Ralph Lauren uniforms run $1,945 for men, and $1,473 for women, including the $55 beret.

That is absurd, no matter where they were made!
 
#12
#12
hog88 said:
And just because they’re made in China doesn’t mean they’re cheap. The Ralph Lauren uniforms run $1,945 for men, and $1,473 for women, including the $55 beret.

That is absurd, no matter where they were made!
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Paying for the horse
 
#13
#13
golfballs said:
Why would a US manufacturer do it for free when they know Ralph Lauren is turning around and selling them for that much $$?
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I thought that's what sponsors did: free products in exchange for publicity.

Does UT pay Addidas for shoes?
 
#17
#17
Comparative advantage is a beautiful thing. Embrace it.

I find it funny that Harry Reid is so outraged. He's demonstrating that his priorities include favoritism, and exclude economic thinking.
 
#18
#18
I believe with the publicity involved, they could've been outfitted for at a much lower cost and easily American made. It's a big worldwide stage. But I won't complain too much. The Olympic Committee is a non-profit, so I'm not paying for it.
 
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#20
#20
Ha Ha

I am sure Reed will make sure their donations are returned in full.
 
#21
#21
golfballs said:
Love this
U.S. Olympic Uniforms: Made in China by Democratic Donor’s company | Washington Free Beacon
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Loan guarantees are funny when they are used in competitive markets. I'm ok with it if it's an energy infrastructure project or something along those lines where funding is limited due to certain laws forbidding foreign investments. But when it's in a competitive market, it might kill as many jobs as it saves since another company who wasn't awarded a loan guarantee faces tougher financing and a loss of competitive edge.

edit: It's also interesting that Areva got a loan considering they are backed by the French gov't. Financing shouldn't be a problem for them.
 
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#22
#22
Just noticed that the company says the 2014 uniforms will be made in U.S. (if anyone still cares then).

Crisis over?
 
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