Sponsor
  • News/Talk
  • Music
  • Entertainment
Marketplace logo
Go to Marketplace Home PageGo to Marketplace Morning ReportGo to Marketplace PM editionGo to Marketplace Money
My Two Cents, by Chris Farrell

« The Kitchen Sink is Almost Empty | Main | More Proof that the Compensation System is out of Whack »

Boycott Chinese Toys

Posted by Chris Farrell on Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Another horrifying story about a contaminated toy made in China. Here's the headline story from the Wall Street Journal:

Retailers around the world scrambled to pull a popular toy called Bindeez off their shelves Wednesday after a chemical in some shipments of the Chinese-made product was found to mimic the effects of the so-called date rape drug.

Sad to say, although it's hardly surprising, but Washington is still dithering over what to do. So is the toy industry. The only power that will stop this epidemic of contaminated toys made in China is the power of the consumer purse.

There have been so many stories like this in recent months. Yet far too little is being done. The only thing that will get the toy industry, major retailers, and Chinese manufacturers undivided attention is a parental boycott this upcoming holiday season of toys made in China. Parents, look at the label and if it says made in China, put it back. And then let the retailer know about your decision. Nothing captures managements attention like falling sales, falling profits, and dsgruntled consumers.

I am a strong believer in open borders and free trade. But that doesn't mean consumers can't reject the products that are being sold them. That's why its called a free market.


Comments (3)

MK Buerger:

What ever happened to Quality Control or Quality assurance? Toy companys and other manufacturers have a duty to oversee and test the product they contract out. It is just common sense that a company must assign knowledgeable QA staff to scrutinize a percentage of the product during manufacture to assure it meets the company's standards. The media has focused on the manufacturing country as being the culprit when the US company is equal negligent. The public's perception of responsibilty is skewed. Part of the financial savings in contracting with manufacturers overseas is that there is no oversight. Quality and reliable products are produced by companies that are involved in all aspects of their production. Ask any business owner if he/she would delegate costly, crucial assignments and not check in again until the project was delivered to the customer.
My comments should not be construed to be defending the shoddy manufacturing practices of the Chinese, but rather an observation of the lack of responsibility on the part of US manufacturers.

anthony petraccone:

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO AMERICAN MADE.WELL THE UNIONS DROVE COMPANYS TO CHINA COME BACK NON UNION..MAINE TOWN ARE LOOSING PAPER COMPANYS THANKS TO BUSH/CHEANY AND HURTING AMERICANS WITH HIGH OIL AND GAS.COME BACK TO AMERICA TOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lindon Webb:

I strongly agree with you; the only way to stop this is to boycott any and all bad products, food, pet food from China - all will get the message immediaely. Who knows if we buy American we might just save a neighbor's job also.

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

 
 

Subscribe to RSS

Latest posts

Foreclosures in Chicago
 
An Intriguing Counter-Argument
 
A Looney Housing Rescue Bill
 
The Age of Scarcity? Not
 
A Rip Off
 
Thoughts on Free Trade
 
Thank You, Immigrants
 
Bailout Fallout
 
A Turning Point
 
Commodities are Scary
 

Topics


 

Latest comments from recent posts

A Looney Housing Rescue Bill (2)
Cindy wrote: I volunteer for a consumer org that arose about 15 yrs ago f... [read]

Thoughts on Free Trade (1)
Greg S wrote: As someone who works in the retail and manufacturing industr... [read]

Bailout Fallout (2)
Sandi Campbell wrote: Loved the idea of forgiving student loans. I am hearing term... [read]

Thank You, Immigrants (1)
Len Sterrett wrote: Is there a similar analysis for Medicare? If so, could you ... [read]

A Bad Employment Report (2)
LANI WHITE wrote: WHAT AN EXCELLENT IDEA. ... [read]


 

Archives

April 2008
S M T W T F S
    1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30      
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007

 

Appearances and Worthwhile Events

Policy and a Pint: Health Care Handcuffs
 
 
 

More From
Chris Farrell

Marketplace Money's Money Clip Video
 
How Alan Helped Ben (BusinessWeek.com)
 
 
 

Other Blogs

Andrew Tobias
 
Angry Bear
 
Becker-Posner Blog
 
Brad DeLong
 
Cafe Hayek
 
Calculated Risk
 
Econbrowser
 
Economics Unbound
 
Economists View
 
Financial Rounds
 
Finance Roundtable
 
Greg Mankiw's Blog
 
Hot Property
 
Marginal Revolution
 
New Economist
 
TaxProf Blog
 
The Big Picture
 
Vox Baby
 
 
 

Books by
Chris Farrell

Right on the Money!: Taking Control of Your Personal Finances
rightonthemoney_bookcover.gif

 
 
 
Deflation: What Happens When Prices Fall
deflation_bookcover.gif

 
 
 

Recommended Books

Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk
by Peter L. Bernstein

 
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
by Burton Malkiel

 
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
by John Bogle

 
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits
by Phillip Fisher

 
The Intelligent Investor
by Benjamin Graham

 
More Than You Know: Finding Financial Wisdom in Unconventional Places
by Michael Mauboussin

 
Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People
by Jane Bryant Quinn

 
Stocks for the Long Run
by Jeremy Siegel

 
The Random Walk Guide to Investing: Ten Rules for Financial Success
by Burton Malkiel

 
The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need
by Andrew Tobias

 
Unconventional Success: A Fundamental Approach to Personal Investment
by David F. Swensen