Re: My brand new Starrett calipers were MADE IN CHINA!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kiba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A few years ago Starrett had two lines of dial calipers... the ones about $80-90 were made in China which were marketed as a "value line" and the ones about $175 were made in the USA. I would imagine that's still the case.</div></div>
Yes, that does seem to be the way they are now. The ones I purchased (and sent back) were model 1202, and in the picture at least, the 120A do say "Made in USA" on the dial. I just don't know if I'm ready to cough up the dough for them right now. The 1202 felt no better than the $30 import one I bought a number of years ago, so didn't seem worth the extra money. Maybe one of these days, after I get some machines set up, I'll spring for some good ones.
I look at the label of what I buy religiously now. It is incredibly difficult to not buy stuff made in China, but I will not do it unless it is absolutely necessary. Most of the time, I end up buying nothing at all.
If everyone did this, if the Chinese products lingered on the shelves and retailers couldn't get rid of the crap, we would see production resume here. It's all supply and demand. They import the shit because we buy the shit. Simple as that. Same with gas prices: they charge $4 because we've demonstrated that no matter the cost, we'll buy it! I buy almost nothing made in China now. That said, I buy pretty much nothing these days, but I refuse to perpetuate the problem.
I know that nobody thinks that their singular actions, in the grand scheme of things, will make a difference, but it does. Just like no single raindrop thinks it's responsible for the flood.