[Jewelry making - Article 00004] - Re: [Orchid] Handmade vs mass-produced

[Jeffrey Everett]

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>         Hence the question is How far can we blame the countries,
>     thus, for providing us with unfair"competetion"? Would I be wrong
>     not to blame my compatriot of getting things done overseas?
>     Obviously this is getting us in lots of trouble. Even as you and
>     me, us and we all insist upon MADE IN AMERICA goods, to what extent
>     are we responsible for this situation currently we are in. Although
>     I do not want to shop at, say, Wal Mart but the logistics pushes me
>     towards it because my local store charges at least one key more
>     than Wal Mart does (Still local store does not make enough to
>     survive). If companies such as Wal Mart does not hesitate in
>     hoisting products from Timbuktu in my face and not the locally made
>     goods then how do I not get my product overseas to face competition
>     from companies like Wal Mart. 

Hi Anil

    As I said earlier, there is no easy answer. For 20 years I have been
    observing the closing (or moving overseas) of one U.S. jewelry
    manufacturer one after another because they could no longer compete
    in the new world market. Chain stores have set up their own
    manufacturing companies overseas and because they buy their gold and
    gems at volume lowest cost, have only the labor (as low as $1 per
    ring!) and cost of doing business. 

    The jewelry business climate has changed, that's about all there is
    to it. You're seeing, as in many businesses, manufacturers and
    wholesalers selling direct either because it's the only way they can
    stay solvent, or because they can with satellite TV, the Internet and
    cable TV. 

    In short, we can't blame anyone. we're in a world market now, and we
    have to adjust to it, one way or another. 

    On the other hand, there will in all probability always be a local
    craft and handmade jewelry market. This is what I consider grass
    roots survival (cottage industry) in the local economy. 

Jeffrey


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