It's estimated that close to 80% of Americans would prefer to buy products that were American-made as opposed to items produced in other countries.
There are many reasons why opting to purchase USA products is a good thing for the country.
Buying American-made products supports jobs, boosts the economy, and reduces pollution. And as a consumer, you want your products to be of a high quality while also benefiting the community and environment.
But with so many products labeled as made in places like China or Taiwan, how do you find those products that were made in the USA?
Keep reading for a summary of seven ways you can be a responsible and supportive American consumer.
1. Find Online Lists or Directories of American Companies
One of the easiest ways to find American-made products is to do a quick online search for directories that list companies who make their goods in the United States.
These lists contain everything from clothing companies to sporting equipment, making it easy to find options for the item you're looking for that were made in the USA.
Since sorting through lists may take some time, it's best to start looking for American-made products before you need to make your purchase.
2. Do Your Own Research
Before you click "Buy," look through a company's website thoroughly to make sure the product is definitely American-made.
Check the details in the listing, looking for wording that explicitly says the products are made in the USA. Another good way of checking is to read the reviews from previous customers to see if they mention whether the product is made in America or not.
Be careful when doing a broad search online.
Sometimes companies in other countries will sprinkle words like "USA" or "American" throughout their website, making them show up in your search results. To prevent this, put quotes around "made in USA" when doing your search to ensure the product you're looking for is truly American.
3. Contact the Company or Manufacturer
If you can't find clear information about where the product is made, or you'd like to be positive a company makes American products before purchasing something, look for the company's contact information.
This could be an email address or phone number. Many companies have chat boxes with customer service representatives that can help you on the website, too.
In your email, phone conversation, or messenger app, ask the representative or manufacturer whether their products are made in America, and if so, which state. This will keep them accountable instead of just answering "yes."
4. Look at the Label
A product's label is one of the best and quickest places to find out where it was made (as well as with what materials).
If you check a label and it says "Made in USA," great! If the product also says which state or city it was made in, this is even better. The more details, the better chance that the item truly is American-made.
A label with grammatical or spelling mistakes is a red flag. While not always the case, this could mean the product was actually made in another country.
Another trick that companies in other countries like to do is to choose brand names that have patriotic words in them, like "American" or "United States." Just because you see these words on a label doesn't mean it's an American product, so always double-check.
5. Opt for Small Boutiques over Chains
When you're shopping in person, look for smaller boutiques and stores, such as family-owned ones, instead of big chains.
Not only are you more likely to get better customer service and can ask any questions about the products that you'd like, but these stores are less likely to have mass-produced products from other countries in them.
Talk to the owner of the small store and tell them you'd prefer American products, and see what they can offer you.
6. Shop at Fairs for Handmade Items
Attending local markets and fairs is a great way to practice buying American.
Depending on where you live, there may be lots of craft fair options to choose from. These fairs offer a way for local artisans to share and sell their products, making it easier to know you're getting authentic American items. Plus, the craftsmanship is often superior to other products you might purchase in big stores.
Talk to the sellers at fairs and markets to learn where they make their items, what their process is, and which materials they use.
7. Tell Others about Items You Love
Once you've discovered an American brand or product that you love, spread the word!
Tell friends, family, and coworkers about the item and show them how they can buy it for themselves.
You can also post about the product on your social media, blog, or website. This makes it more likely to reach new customers, which in turn helps out the business.
Following the American brand or company on social media is another great way to show your support. Not only will this remind you to buy directly from them when they pop up in your feed, but you'll also be more likely to hear about any special deals or sales.
Become a Responsible American Consumer
There are lots of ways to support American businesses, as well as reasons why doing so is important.
But finding products that were made in America can take effort, and sometimes you just don't have the time to dedicate to searching for new brands and companies that sell USA products. That's where we come in.
The Patriot Box makes buying American as easy as possible. As a company that's dedicated to supporting both the American seller and American consumer, we introduce subscribers to items that were made in the USA.
And the best part? You get these hand-picked, quality American products shipped straight to your door. We even take our support one step further by donating a portion of all proceeds to veteran charities.
Ready to show your support for American businesses? Become a subscriber or contact us today with any questions you might have.