It's just WRONG!

[The Tool Tyrant]

We needed another 12" half round ALUMINUM (for aluminum, not made from aluminum) ******* file. The one my guys like is made by GROBET USA...also known as Grobet File Company Of America LLC. So I ordered another one from McMaster-Carr and when it arrived I assumed they sent a standard 12" ******* file as the new one did not have the HF RD AL stamped on it as the first one did along with a different shape and narrower width, along with the fact that it did NOT cut as well as the first.

I shot an e-mail to McMaster and they checked their stock and assured me it was correct, so I e-mailed Grobet directly and got a reply regarding the missing HF RD AL stamp "we may have had it on there at one point"...I thought to myself... 'seriously, you manufacture the product but know if you made a change?' She also stated that she would have someone else contact me that was more familiar with their files.

Next day I receive another e-mail from their VP of sales stating that she checked their stock and it "APPEARS TO BE CORRECT ACCORDING TO THE CUTS and there may have been a slight change in overall dimensions"
It had crossed my mind with the first reply that I received, but now with this one, I was sure that they don't actually manufacture their files here in the USA... if so they would be no question if changes were made in their product.

I replied to her stating that I was a little dismayed that as the manufacturer, they were not keenly aware of changes made to their product.

The next day I receive her reply..." I am very sorry that I can't give you exact information. Our files are NOT MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES so I do not have quick access to the factory right now"

This **** just pisses me off...#1, a company calls themselves 'Grobet File Company Of America LLC' and stamps 'Grobet USA' on their files and yet there not made in the USA? That's just wrong and SHOULD be illegal.

End of rant.

 

[KnurledNut]

 

[MrSurly]

Did you not notice the "Made in India" ?
Yes, smaller font, but it's not precisely a case of lying about coo.

To your point, though, it does not appear to state it on the product.

 

[LXCam]

Did you not notice the "Made in India" ?
Yes, smaller font, but it's not precisely a case of lying about coo.

To your point, though, it does not appear to state it on the product.

India?, you should count yourself lucky it’ll file a stick of butter OP

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Did you not notice the "Made in India" ?
Yes, smaller font, but it's not precisely a case of lying about coo.

To your point, though, it does not appear to state it on the product.

McMaster does not ship items in the original box. They place them in plastic bags with your line item number on them.

 

[RKA]

Well, that’s unfortunate. I would follow up with McMaster and see if they have another option (hopefully without the questionable manufacturing history). And let them know where that file was made in case it has somehow escaped their attention.

And I’m guessing that Grobet file did not come at HF prices?

 

[L.Cheapo]

And the US General is more of a Guangzhou General.

IME, if something is made in the USA, it almost always states so on it. There's a lot of shady marketing out there.

 

[Corndoggeh]

Ive noticed more companies being named "X USA" to give the impression their product is made in the US. A not illegal but definitely gets a sarcastic "really?" From me.

 

[WittHay]

Grobet is more of a tool wholesaler/retailer than a manufacturer with a Canadian office as well. There is some US company called Harbor Fright that has sold a few tools over the years with American names on imported stuff.

The only thing I find strange is how McMaster-Carr does there business. They are not in Canada. Strange website with no manufacturers name or coo. According to this thread takes stuff out of original packaging and places it in plastic bags. If you have to mail order tools buy from some place that has more information. Thats what websites are for.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I have bought "Grobet USA" jewelry tools in the past. Most were marked as made in Europe (German hammers etc). Good quality.

However, "Grobet USA" is the company name not an indicator of where the item was made.

There is a kitchen gadget company called "MIU France", it's a chinese company and has nothing to do with french made kitchen tools.

I recall an old story of a Japanese town that was named "USA", they would mark products as "made in USA"...

I think this is cheesy.

 

[1982fxr]

It ***** when these companies put USA or America in their name but it's not illegal.

Imported products must state coo on the product or the packaging by law. More and more they put it on the packaging so they can leave the item blank, then sell the item separate from the packaging. As in bulk sales is one example.

Like at Walmart the gray box full of .99 cent pliars with no coo and no actual packaging on the pliars, just a price sticker. They don't have to put the coo on the tool because they skirted it by putting it on the packaging.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

These epidemic and disgusting business practices plaque Us daily. Sadly, when You express a dislike for these practices; You are often cited as a fussy old fart who simply likes to complain. Thanks for the heads up...... This Fussy Old Fart will be adding McMaster to the watch more closely list.

 

[PelicanPines]

Made in India... or Pakistan... single use tool... use it, toss it.

I'm kidding... but not really.

 

[mbshop]

The latest and greatest that really makes me know that companies think folks are stupid when they say
"Made in usa" then in smaller print"from foreign supplied parts" or to that effect. So yea, they are all playing games with us and the labeling laws. I would pay a lot more for a usa tool knowing it will last.
My other major rant is plastic. As in gears and pivot points and other stress points.

 

[1982fxr]

The latest and greatest that really makes me know that companies think folks are stupid when they say
"Made in usa" then in smaller print"from foreign supplied parts" or to that effect. So yea, they are all playing games with us and the labeling laws. I would pay a lot more for a usa tool knowing it will last.
My other major rant is plastic. As in gears and pivot points and other stress points.

Even assembled in USA labels have to be qualified. There are laws about them as well. The FTC actually answers their phones and investigates if complaints are filed.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

It ***** when these companies put USA or America in their name but it's not illegal.

Imported products must state coo on the product or the packaging by law. More and more they put it on the packaging so they can leave the item blank, then sell the item separate from the packaging. As in bulk sales is one example.

Like at Walmart the gray box full of .99 cent pliars with no coo and no actual packaging on the pliars, just a price sticker. They don't have to put the coo on the tool because they skirted it by putting it on the packaging.

Reminds Me of the Wilton WS6 Shop Vise I bought some years back. Later, there was talk on GJ about those vises being made in China. I checked the vise and the box, and found an itty bitty little sticker barely clinging to the bottom of the box. It wasn't the bargain I thought it was, and it is still sitting in the box.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Made in India... or Pakistan... single use tool... use it, toss it.

I'm kidding... but not really.

A large number of surgical instruments are made in Pakistan. Just a fact.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

My Speedaire compressor deid in three stages, pressure switch then head finally the motor. I replaced them with Chinese, what else was available at my budget.. There on the store floor was a upright with a big American flag on it, and the same pressure switch, head and motor.

 

[1cargarage]

...BASTARDS Does everybody see what I did there?

 

[dnschmidt]

Buy Pferd. Deutschland uber alles.

 

[bwringer]

I have a deep and abiding love for McMaster-Carr, but it is definitely not the place to buy tools.

 

[Fatboy148]

I bought some tweezers of different shapes and sizes from GROBET USA. Some were actually marked Made in USA, while others were from Switzerland, one was from Italy and some from Pakistan. One might jump to the conclusion that a package that says... "Product by GROBET USA Carlistadt, NJ 07072" might be made in the USA.

Further research showed me.... "Grobet USA® has a proud heritage of over 140 years in the design, production and distribution of precision tools for professional technicians and craftsmen. Grobet USA® maintains state-of-the-art production facilities in the US, Switzerland, as well as a global network of suppliers to provide an offering of more than 18,000 products."

 

[WittHay]

I have a deep and abiding love for McMaster-Carr, but it is definitely not the place to buy tools.

This is what I was thinking. Bolts, key stock, pipe fittings as long it is good commercial quality manufacturer or part numbers is not really important.

When it come to tools, manufacturer and coo is important. Lincoln 1134 grease gun is made in India with a German made hose. I consider it good quality.

A website should show full information regarding that grease gun or a Alemite, not just a drawing of a grease gun and some meaningless retail numbers

 

[driz]

It ***** when these companies put USA or America in their name but it's not illegal.

Imported products must state coo on the product or the packaging by law. More and more they put it on the packaging so they can leave the item blank, then sell the item separate from the packaging. As in bulk sales is one example.

Like at Walmart the gray box full of .99 cent pliars with no coo and no actual packaging on the pliars, just a price sticker. They don't have to put the coo on the tool because they skirted it by putting it on the packaging.

By customs law it has to be plainly visible to the end buyer on outside of the packaging as it sits on the shelf retail. We are one of the few countries that actually forces this. What you see in the picture is one of the typical tricks they legally use to fool you. At US CBP we do our best to keep em straight the reading comprehension is[emoji6]all on you guys.
It’s not packaged, assembled or whatever you’re looking for but “ MADE IN”. Those are the magic words . More often lately you’ll see Made in USA With worldwide parts.........sign of the times[emoji3525]. At least we’re getting a piece of it financially.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[neophyte]

We needed another 12" half round ALUMINUM (for aluminum, not made from aluminum) ******* file. The one my guys like is made by GROBET USA...also known as Grobet File Company Of America LLC. So I ordered another one from McMaster-Carr and when it arrived I assumed they sent a standard 12" ******* file as the new one did not have the HF RD AL stamped on it as the first one did along with a different shape and narrower width, along with the fact that it did NOT cut as well as the first.

I shot an e-mail to McMaster and they checked their stock and assured me it was correct, so I e-mailed Grobet directly and got a reply regarding the missing HF RD AL stamp "we may have had it on there at one point"...I thought to myself... 'seriously, you manufacture the product but know if you made a change?' She also stated that she would have someone else contact me that was more familiar with their files.

Next day I receive another e-mail from their VP of sales stating that she checked their stock and it "APPEARS TO BE CORRECT ACCORDING TO THE CUTS and there may have been a slight change in overall dimensions"
It had crossed my mind with the first reply that I received, but now with this one, I was sure that they don't actually manufacture their files here in the USA... if so they would be no question if changes were made in their product.

I replied to her stating that I was a little dismayed that as the manufacturer, they were not keenly aware of changes made to their product.

The next day I receive her reply..." I am very sorry that I can't give you exact information. Our files are NOT MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES so I do not have quick access to the factory right now"

This **** just pisses me off...#1, a company calls themselves 'Grobet File Company Of America LLC' and stamps 'Grobet USA' on their files and yet there not made in the USA? That's just wrong and SHOULD be illegal.

End of rant.

Grobet used to import most of their files from Switzerland in the past, from what I’ve read.
At some point, maybe price issues or maybe a disagreement with their Swiss supplier/s Grobet switched to other sources for files, such as Poland etc.
I’m not sure whether there are actually still US manufacturers for traditional cut files Anymore.
Nicholson was off-shored to South America and China, and maybe elsewhere.
I believe Simonds was as well.
Switzerland still has Glardon/Vallorbe as a file manufacturer, and still produces top quality files.
F. **** from Switzerland and/or Germany, I forget which side of the border the file factory is on, also produces high quality files, but the files are hard to find in sizes over 6” in the USA.
Bahco/Snaop-On Europe, owns Tome Feteira a Portuguese file manufacturer.
There’s also an Italian manufacturer of files Corrodi, that has a good reputation.

I’m not sure whether German and Austrian file manufacturers like Pferd have off-shored to India or China yet.

The major manufacturer of metal files in France, MOB Talabot, shut down, because because there wasn’t a large enough market for the number of files they would have to produce, at the price needed, to remain profitable, or at least that was what they claimed when they sold their equipment to an Indian manufacturer. Supposedly the French workers trained the Indian workers, so maybe the files are OK, if no shortcuts were taken, and Decent steel was used.

Japan also has at least one file manufacturer, but I’m not sure how wide the range is.

 

[petej80]

Ive noticed more companies being named "X USA" to give the impression their product is made in the US. A not illegal but definitely gets a sarcastic "really?" From me.

When trawling through eBay, I often see sellers with 'AU' or 'Australia' in their name. These, I avoid ardently; if you have to say it in your brand/store name then the chances are that you are trying to make up for the fact that you actually ship from China.

Sometimes I see sellers named this way with the 'ships from' field showing somewhere within the same state. Odd that shipping time is often over a week . . .