"303 Computers, Boulder, Colorado

"...Is this an American-made product?" Not an easy question to answer in some cases. Many products fall clearly into either the domestic or foreign category. What about when some parts of a product are domestic and some are foreign? And what about the question of company ownership? Is a product American if it is made in this country by a foreign-owned corporation? Why is it important to buy American-made products?

There are surprising numbers of Americans losing their jobs due to corporate outsourcing to other countries. This trend is popular with global corporations because they enter these countries to gain access to raw materials, inexpensive labor, and vast markets. Large corporations are also able to lower tax liabilities and to move money from country to country, profiting from fluctuating currency rates. The problem is, the outsourcing causes loss of American jobs.

It is true, foreign companies do in fact make a majority of technology & computer components today. It is in fact, a challenge to find technology that has minimal foreign influence! It is not particularly hard, however, to determine if a part is made in the United States. American parts also tend to be more compatible and the directions and certainly easier to understand. American-made technology components are of superior construction and are generally more durable than their foreign counterparts.

American made products also tend to come with better support structure. Dealing with American manufacturers for warranty product returns tends to be easier. Service personnel offering assistance are far more helpful when they reside in this country! American Corporations are more inclined to make a minor concession such as the authorization a slightly out of warranty repair. Shipping costs are minimized when the unit is serviced in the United States. Users are less likely to chuck the whole unit, and more inclined to want the repair if hassle is minimized. Product repair also has less of an economic impact than replacement in terms of waste generation.

The only way to change or prevent this is to not support multinational companies and to buy American made goods. Understand the power that you have when spending your dollars. Know that buying American Made products has a compounding effect on the US economy and the American worker. When you send your dollar overseas that dollar leaves our economy and helps support another countries economy.

Buy American whenever possible. That's the mantra we use when ordering, and we believe it is the right thing to do.