3 ms·

I always find it amusing if people claim (just an example) "I would never buy Apple/Nike/++, they employ child workers, it is awful" and then they go to the sup

I always find it amusing if people claim (just an example) "I would never buy Apple/Nike/++, they employ child workers, it is awful" and then they go to the supermarket, buy the cheapest meat/vodka/sugar/coffee they can find, or they buy a cheap $99 tablet/smartphone/TV from india/china/malaysia, or they buy $3.99 t-shirts/pants/shoes from throwaway stores. As if somehow these products can be produced at such low prices without affecting quality and wages of the workers behind it.

iaskwhy 13y ago
One thing to remember is that you must start somewhere. Overall, it's way better than not doing anything.
- kmfrk 13y ago
  Indeed. You can't send a message to noname brands in the same way. I think companies like Abercrombie & Fitch are feeling the hurt as a result of this. I'm sure there are ways of making a point to companies on both the long and short tail of fashion/clothing, though.
- rebel 13y ago
  I don't see how. Whether you buy it from Nike or (insert lesser known shoe company with same policy), there's really no difference.
  - iaskwhy 13y ago
    Can't say I have an example but let's hope there's at least one company who cares about that. Some industries actually changed to accomodate for those that care. A good example: food companies. At least in Europe it's quite easy to buy from companies that care about the environment, animals, lack of chemicals, etc. Eventually this kind of thinking will expand to other industries. Update: I tried to search for a couple of minutes for more responsible brands, apparently New Balance makes some of their shoes in the US: http://www.zappos.com/search/made+in+usa/filter/productTypeFacet/%22Shoes%22/orig/made+in+usa?zfcTest=sis%3A0#!/made-in-usa-men-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wHAAQLiAgMBGAI.zso?t=made+in+usa http://www.zappos.com/search/made+in+usa/filter/productTypeF...
    - marquis 13y ago
      American Apparel is a famous example. Though their marketing may be subject to discussion, their production practices are admirable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Apparel#Production http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Apparel#Production
amirmc 13y ago
There are ways for those companies to reduce costs (and pass on savings) which still support low prices. Primark [1] is a case where they have no advertising spend and rely on low prices and word of mouth. Makes me wonder about the marketing budgets of other retailers. [1] http://www.primark-ethicaltrading.co.uk/newsfaq/faqs http://www.primark-ethicaltrading.co.uk/newsfaq/faqs
scotty79 13y ago
It's better to buy $4 t-shirts than $14 t-shirts. Workers get pretty much the same in both cases but their exploiters get rewarded whole $10 less. This might put some of them out of business which is a good thing.

iaskwhy 13y ago

One thing to remember is that you must start somewhere. Overall, it's way better than not doing anything.

kmfrk 13y ago
Indeed. You can't send a message to noname brands in the same way. I think companies like Abercrombie & Fitch are feeling the hurt as a result of this. I'm sure there are ways of making a point to companies on both the long and short tail of fashion/clothing, though.
rebel 13y ago
I don't see how. Whether you buy it from Nike or (insert lesser known shoe company with same policy), there's really no difference.
- iaskwhy 13y ago
  Can't say I have an example but let's hope there's at least one company who cares about that. Some industries actually changed to accomodate for those that care. A good example: food companies. At least in Europe it's quite easy to buy from companies that care about the environment, animals, lack of chemicals, etc. Eventually this kind of thinking will expand to other industries. Update: I tried to search for a couple of minutes for more responsible brands, apparently New Balance makes some of their shoes in the US: http://www.zappos.com/search/made+in+usa/filter/productTypeFacet/%22Shoes%22/orig/made+in+usa?zfcTest=sis%3A0#!/made-in-usa-men-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wHAAQLiAgMBGAI.zso?t=made+in+usa http://www.zappos.com/search/made+in+usa/filter/productTypeF...
  - marquis 13y ago
    American Apparel is a famous example. Though their marketing may be subject to discussion, their production practices are admirable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Apparel#Production http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Apparel#Production

amirmc 13y ago

There are ways for those companies to reduce costs (and pass on savings) which still support low prices. Primark [1] is a case where they have no advertising spend and rely on low prices and word of mouth. Makes me wonder about the marketing budgets of other retailers. [1] http://www.primark-ethicaltrading.co.uk/newsfaq/faqs http://www.primark-ethicaltrading.co.uk/newsfaq/faqs

scotty79 13y ago

It's better to buy $4 t-shirts than $14 t-shirts. Workers get pretty much the same in both cases but their exploiters get rewarded whole $10 less. This might put some of them out of business which is a good thing.