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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: Sept 20 2007 at 11:30am | IP Logged
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SuzanneG wrote:
A friend sent this link to us the other day:
Oompa Toys
"This company, based in Madison, was in the Wisconsin State Journal last week. The company has toys for about 4-5 dozen companies that don't make their toys in China. Lots of them are American and European. The founder has 2 small children herself and it sounds like they research the companies they work with very well."
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I really like the looks of their products, Suzanne--thanks for posting this. It's nice to see such a variety of quality toys.
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Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: Sept 20 2007 at 11:32am | IP Logged
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BrendaPeter wrote:
| Now I'm starting to wonder if this isn't the case in other countries as well? I wish I were more up on social policies throughout the world, since I have no idea if I should be "happy" when I see Made in Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea... |
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Yes, this is exactly what I am wondering too. Luckily, there haven't been the safety concerns over products made in these other countries as there have been for Chinese exports (which, honestly, is our impetus in avoiding MIC stuff right now), but as I think about the human rights aspect, I have these same questions...
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Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Sept 20 2007 at 1:31pm | IP Logged
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some links i compiled that may help when shopping
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stef
mom to five
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Sept 20 2007 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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 The 4 things that caught my eye at Oompa were -- you guessed it -- designed in Germany, made in China. 
Was at TJ Maxx today looking for mugs -- 50% of them were "designed in Germany" or "designed in England" or "handpainted in England" BUT "made in China".
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stef
mom to five
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SuzanneG
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stefoodie wrote:
| designed in Germany, made in China. |
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I know .......but at least we KNOW, without making phone calls, etc.
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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stefoodie
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Yes, Suzanne, that saves a lot of time, etc. 
Just yesterday I e-mailed a manufacturer to ask where their products were made -- they did respond within the hour, but weren't straightforward -- all they said was "our factories in Asia". I think they're afraid of losing business if they come right out and say China -- but so many are more aware now that they really should just the info out there.
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stef
mom to five
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mary theresa
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LisaD wrote:
Of the four pairs of children's Crocs in our house, one says "Made in Mexico," one says "Made in U.S.A," one says, "Made in Colorado," and one says "Made in China." I guess you need to check the bottoms of the Crocs before you buy. |
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I've been reading this thread with interest.
But I have a question. Why does it make any difference to buy the specfic Crocs that are NOT made in China? You are still supporting the company that farms out the manufacturing contracts or whatever.
I mean, I was shopping at the Children's Place the other day. Some things made in China, some in Bangladesh, some in Taiwan. But if I pick out the specific pair of pants or the specific dress that isn't made in China, Children's Place isn't gonna get the point. They are still making money. Do you know what I'm trying to say?
So, if someone is really going all the way on this, they shouldn't shop the brands that even have SOME of their stuff made in China (Crocs, Children's Place, Melissa and Doug's, etc.). Right?
Just interested in what you all think.
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Mary Theresa
mother to 3 little girls --March '06, Dec '07 and Jan '10
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teachingmyown
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A couple of thoughts/comments:
Mary Theresa, you have a great point! Unless we are avoiding the Chinese toys for health reasons rather than ethical, than it shouldn't matter whether THAT particular toy is made in China.
But, if we make a concerted effort to buy only those, say Little Tykes toys, that are made in the US, maybe they will get the hint. BTW, Little Tykes has a "made in the USA" section on their website.
I really appreciate the companies that are making it a point to list country of origin. We need to praise those companies and let the ones who don't list it know that until they do we won't buy from them. What a lot of these retailers and manufacturers don't get is that many of us aren't avoiding China because of safety issues, although it brought these issues to the forefront, rather we oppose the crimes against humanity that are present there. I think many are waiting for this "news story" to blow over and Americans to go back to their old ways.
I have wondered too, as I avoid Chinese products, whether the other countries where things are manufactured treat their people well. That is what I like about Fair Trade sites. There is something very satisfying about buying something that you know the individuals making it will reap the benefit from it, even in a Communist country like Vietnam.
Quick question: Papo toys and figurines. It is a French company, does anyone know where the toys are actually made? I am looking for a nice toy castle for my ds 9.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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5athome
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Our Papo figures I bought in France and Germany last year all say made in China:(
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
ds '01, dd '04, ds '06,
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5athome
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| Posted: Sept 20 2007 at 5:42pm | IP Logged
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After looking around the Little Tykes site, I see where the toys have made in the USA but unfortunately, some also say made in the USA from imported parts -- is this just another way of saying Chinese manufactured parts?
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
ds '01, dd '04, ds '06,
ds '08
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Celeste
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Playmobil toys are made in Malta, Czech Republic, and Germany. (I have a friend from Malta who was familiar with the big Playmobil factory there.) And they are VERY cool. Just today we found some Roman sets. With SPQR--how cool is that?
Check it out: playmobil
Celeste
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BrendaPeter
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Thanks Celeste for the playmobile link!
We like the Schleich knight figures that are available at both Toys R Us & Target. I believe they are made in Germany. Unfortunately, the castle is pretty expensive.
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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MrsKey
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I think it does still make a difference. Companies know which products are made at which plants. That's why they have lot numbers and serial numbers.
If (and that is a big if) people only bought items made in a specific country of origin the unsold products from undesirable countries of origin would create a trend that someone in their marketing department would notice.
Not unlike, as a vegetarian, buying vegetarian or vegan items made and marketed by companies that also make and market animal based items. If they see a market for vegetarian/vegan items they will continue to make them. I don't like supporting the meat, dairy and egg industries, personally, but I also know that if I stop buying Silk (for example) because it is owned by a larger company that also owns dairies, then I could one day be short one more vegetarian option.
Though it never hurts to write a letter to the company and say, "I bought this product rather than that product because it was not made in China."
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Carole
Wife to Tom since '94 and mom to Bree since '96
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aiereis
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Today as I was making dinner I looked down at the can of organic kidney beans and is said "Product of China". How do they know that they are organic coming from a place like that? I guess I will have to resort to dried beans.
--Christina
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CKwasniewski
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http://www.chinafreechristmas.info/2007/08/legos-are-not-mad e-in-china_27.html
Here's a list of toys. It might as well have been started by someone here!
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5athome
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| Posted: Sept 21 2007 at 10:48pm | IP Logged
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The knight/dragon figures at Target are MIC.
Here is the reply I received from Playmobil (I was so happy to see such a small list given how many great products they have):
The only toys that are made in China are:
3670 - Remote Control Module
4330 - Fairy Tale Castle Mini
4331 - Pirate Mini
4332 - Noah's Ark Mini
4333 - Knights Castle Mini
4397 - Electrical Signal
4450 - Bunny Workshop
4451 - Bunny w/Wheelbarrow
4452 - Bunny
4453 - Bunny w/wagon
4454 - Bunnies with Hiding Place
5803 - Knight's Take Along Castle
5804 - Pirates Take Along Island
7350 - Underwater Motor
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
ds '01, dd '04, ds '06,
ds '08
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BrendaPeter
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The story gets worse.
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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BrendaPeter
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Just wanted to add that Lauri Toys are made in the USA.
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Brenda (mom to 6)
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Celeste
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Thanks for posting that, Brenda. I called Mattel this morning and told them because they apologized to China, we would no longer be buying their products. (And that we have lots of kids.  ) Here's their number: 800-524-8697, in case anyone else feels so moved.
Celeste
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Celeste
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| Posted: Sept 22 2007 at 10:47am | IP Logged
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On another note, do you know what's really aggravating? Most Catholic goods are made in China--pictures, statues, rosaries, etc. Most of the market is controlled by one or two suppliers, like Roman, and their factories are in China. Christian stuff, too.
Sometimes I pray that the sacramentals they are making will be channels of grace and inspiration to people who otherwise might have no contact with Christ; but most of the time I question this practice in light of their country's offenses against human rights and religion; the significant trade deficit; and the fact that China owns most of our national debt.
Maybe if we as individual citizens can relearn how to do more with less, then maybe we as a nation could do more with less.
Celeste
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Made in China
