Do you care about coo

[doctorschmullus]

Country of origin has been inhabiting alot of threads lately, and I can say I am truly not sure why its such a big debate.
I think a good tool is a good tool regardless where its made, it just seems tools made in china dont have the same good rate as tools from other countries.

It seems like the americans on this forum really love u.s.a made itsw just hard when so many manafacturers are going offshore. In australia we used to have a few good australian tool companies but now they moved to china and taiwan, leaving us with no choice!

So what country of origin do you prefer your tools from?
Btw if theres any country i forgot about sorry~!

 

[mrholeshot]

My Favorite is USA. My favorite US tool is Snap-On and next in line was S-K. S-K as it was is long gone Snap-On is rediculasly overpriced so I have just come to expect that I have to find the best tool for the money no matter what the country of Origin.

If I was a Young technician now (most every tool was USA when I started out) I'm afraid I would have a toolbox almost dominated by Gearwrench hand tools. Their tools are professional quality at a fraction of the cost. I used a Gearwrench Roto Ratchet yesterday in an actual Hard working setting and put it through some real abuse. It was butter smooth, comfortable, strong and with the exception of having the Gearwrench name on it was the same as the Snap-On version but maybe a little smoother.

Country of origin isn't as much an issue with me because I supported American tool companies for well over 40 years as did almost every technician in America but that didn't seem to be enough for the companies charging super inflated prices for their tools and have taken their companies offshore. It's not the fault of the American technician or average tool user that some tools made offshore rival or exceed the quality of some American tool makers.

 

[danski0224]

I try really hard to avoid made in China. There is so much that is wrong with the current trade situation between the USA and China.

I try to buy items (not just tools) that are manufactured in a country with laws that ensure reasonably safe working conditions and environmental stewardship. That pretty much rules out China.

 

[impulse922]

In a perfect world all of my tools would be made in North America and Europe. I avoid chinese tools like the plague, and seldom let the Taiwanese tools slip in.

 

[american lockpicker]

COO is extremely important to me. Also while I picked Germany on the poll I really prefer Switzerland.

 

[JSGAuto]

I work in mfg. I try to support my field as much as I can, when its possible.

 

[TexasT]

While quality and value are my main two criteria, I will spend a bit extra to buy comparable items that are made in USA.

Why wouldn't I support my country's manufacturing? Not much is made in America any more.

Last time I looked at the made in s when I was at Lowe's it was quite depressing.

 

[mikevango]

i will even pay more to buy a usa made tool. but i do have some blue point, and gearwrench.

 

[mrholeshot]

COO is extremely important to me. Also while I picked Germany on the poll I really prefer Switzerland.

It is to me also but the pickings are either slim or priced outrageous. I think one of the last American Values are Channellock Pliers. Even all the tool trucks are now carry Gearwrench. We are left with few options and some of those left are only available in certain areas of the country. There no shortage of a market for US built tools. Every city is filled with techs, electricians, plumbers, field techs, construction workers, etc their to buy the tools. The problem is with companies that have become so greedy that they won't stay on our soil, Unions that have no more business in American factories. Put people into production, pay them a decent wage and provide medical coverage and keep the Unions out. People would relocate to areas for these jobs. One other problem is it's tough to find American workers that still have a drivers licence,pass a drug test, security check and will show up for work on time. I had such a hard time finding technicians that could cover those four simple things that a good employee was tough to find.

 

[D9H 90V]

USA gets my vote,COO is very important to me

I hope some of the manufacturers are reading this to get an idea of what we, the people that support them want

 

[2chipped]

If I lived in Germany I would buy German manufactured goods, or if I lived in Australia , I'd buy Australian. Nothing against anyone that doesn't live in the USA but I buy from my country 1st . I could buy from any where but that would eliminate 10 jobs from MY country ,engineering ,local suppliers,manufacturing,shipping,receiving,QC, etc. I have traveled to other countries and plan to continue, but my priority"s are,best quality as close to where i live as possible. I shop as little as i can at big box stores( wallmart, homedepot, target, lowes, costco) as well as chain restaurants , because I care about my community first.

 

[Red Green]

I care about COO for everything I buy. I do my best to avoid anything from China sometimes it is tough to find something. I buy USA first then North American then any other non third world country when I have a choice.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Why support a communist country that has threatened to nuke us (using our technology that was given/sold them in the 90's by Loral). This does not even take into account their complete indifference to quality control, or how they treat their workers (I could not care less).

Taiwan and Japan present no threat, and produce quality products.

Mexico ranks one small step above Chicrap, the European countries (Western) rank second behind the US, and the Asian countries rank behind Japan and Taiwan, # 3 and 4 on the list.

 

[doug.j]

I like when a tool is marked by the actual manufacture (not who sells it) + COO. Otherwise I assume the company selling them is hiding something to increase markup.

 

[2drx4]

I don't have a favorite, I just avoid cheap stuff that is likely to fail, or not work well.

 

[arkangel06]

Put Canada in that poll damn it.

 

[mrholeshot]

Put Canada in that poll damn it.

Sorry no 3rd world countries were allowed

 

[arkangel06]

Sorry no 3rd world countries were allowed

I wonder why the op included the US then?

 

[bonneyman]

Made in USA is my first and main choice - even if it costs a bit more - simply because it's my country. We, as the end users, have so much more to say about our economy than any tool or policy maker. (I avoid China as much as I can, but, it's basically become unavoidable.)
That being said, in order for American workers in these companies to make the kind of money I like to make, the end price of the tool is going to be substantially higher than a foreign competitor. Increasingly, that price difference is more than I can justify paying. It's frustrating on the one hand, but, understandable on the other.
What really burns me is the outsourcing. If a tool is foreign-made and advertized as such, I have no problem with them being placed next to an American counterpart on the shelf. If you want (or can only afford) the cheaper tool, you make the decision to buy it. When I was first starting out, top-of-the-line was out of reach financially. (Like Sears - they had Craftsman, and then the cheaper Japanese tool line with no lifetime warranty.) I understand that.
But, with more and more American companies outsourcing, that decision is no longer mine as a buyer. That decision is made by the company or shareholders, who keep the American name but cut their production costs by 50% to 90%. And then everybody else has to outsource in order to be competitive. It's a vicious cycle that will eventually crash the country.
End of rant.

 

[Coach James]

My first choice is tools made in Zimbabwe. When I can't find those, I settle for made in USA.

Coach

 

[RAYJAY]

would have voted but there is no option for it,


as for caring about where its made not at all ............


All i care about is the quality of the product, and the warranty and how the manufacturer stand behind that warranty .

 

[Arne73]

I thought the poll was "Do you care about COO, Yes or No....
Yes-
USA.

 

[bonneyman]

My first choice is tools made in Zimbabwe. When I can't find those, I settle for made in USA.

Coach

Yeah, we really have lost the art of making wooden plows and goat-herding sticks in the US!

 

[Abbott]

I don't care much about COO, I just buy tools that work and are at a good price. I think a poll option for "COO doesn't matter" would have been a good idea.

 

[Chris_R/T]

I'll definitely pay more for U.S.A. made stuff, but I'll buy Taiwan or other foreign country made stuff if it's priced accordingly and isn't total junk, assuming the company selling it isn't trying to hide the COO info from me.

 

[woody 73]

I love all tools and I think some member pointed out that the computers and just about everything else comes from china. Funny but we had only USA no one gave it a second thouight,now that we don't have those tools anymore,it has become very important!

I guess when we take things for granted we become forgetful.

 

[nate379]

You need to add none of the above for those of use that don't really care as long as the tool is of good quality and gets the job done.

Not to mention the poll should be yes or no for your question.

 

[arkangel06]

I think a poll option for "COO doesn't matter" would have been a good idea.

But it does.

 

[Bolster]

I didn't answer your "favorite nation" poll...a bit jingoistic in my opinion...I'm not choosing one nation as "best"...

but to answer your first question, YES I do care about COO.

 

[newchris]

usa obviously, but i have to say, i dont prefer tawain but i have no problem buying them because they are of good quality imo

 

[trackwelder]

Yes i do, USA is what i prefer.

 

[Krokodil]

I prefer tools made in Europe (Germany specifically)