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A lot of you guys know I started the Rust Revival project a few months ago. It's been going really well and I've been more than pleased with the support from you guys. One thing that has been bugging me is the idea of "American Made". I always try to buy American Made when available. I support American manufacturing especially when those are small shops and businesses.
First off, I'm not saying that other countries are not capable of producing great products, they are more than capable of making quality goods. I don't want to piss anyone off by them thinking this is a "If it ain't 'Merican then its garbage" kind of rant. I have just always been of the school of thought that you support your community and fellow countrymen as best you can.
The Rust Revival apparel is currently printed right here in the Good Ole USA by yours truly but the shirt are not made here. I did a lot of research and found quality shirts that I thought were affordable. One of my goals with Rust Revival was to not charge people $25-40 dollars for a friggin t shirt. I wanted everyone to be able to get one if they wanted it.
The whole point of the conversation here is this: HOW IMPORTANT IS "AMERICAN MADE" TO YOU GUYS? I currently sell shirts at $14.00 but if I were to bump the price up 3-4 dollars a shirt, I could buy american made shirts, use american made ink and print them with my own two hands. Yeah, I know they are just t-shirts but anything made is worth making right and making it with the best materials possible. Would it make a difference to you guys? Does it matter? How do you guys value American Made?
I love that I can get shirts from you for $20 shipped. The quality of the T-shirt that you have used so far in all of your products is top notch.
We are still contributing to a small US based business, and our local community from buying from you.
If I could get an all US made product (of the same quality) from you for $20 shipped, I'd be all over it. Once the price is pushed over $20, it gets harder to justify. This may sound shitty, but it's true. That $20 is a magic number.
To glom on to this one - I'm wearing Lands End/LL Bean and shoes made by friends in Colorado right now (sundanceleather.com - check 'em out!), because that stuff will last for goddamned-ever.
T-shirts are a novelty for me, so I'm not looking for - or expecting - them to last forever. $25 for a disposable is tough. $20 I can handle (and I believe my wife just bought one from you guys, actually. )
Logan - I think if you can do a MADE IN THE USA shirt that is 100% USA including the ink etc. for only $3-$4 more than the already inexpensive $14 you charge, you'll get tons of support from us certainly and the market in general.
I'd try for an even $20 per shirt, giving you room for the occasional sale knocking them down to $17 or something to clear out inventory when you need to. I'd happily pay $20 for an all USA shirt of good quality. Soft cotton, proper fit. No Gildan shirts please
Logan....I agree with others. If the cost is still relatively low, I would be down for it 100%. In fact, if they were $20-25 and 100% USA made, I would still buy.
Over the past 2 years, I have really tried to start buying as much USA made products as possible when possible. This is mainly due to the fact that I work for a small sheet metal fabrication and welding shop (15 employees) that my uncle owns and that has been in business since 1882. One of the products that we produce is fully adjustable in-ground basketball goals (I manage the side of the business). 90% of my competitors sell goals that are produced overseas. We are very competitive in price and exceed most all of them in quality. So with that being said, I take pride in products that are produced here in the US. In fact, I managed to score a job of building 2 different basketball rims for a company out of Ohio that makes pool side basketball hoops. They bought their entire supply from us because I was able to produce a quality product and compete price-wise with the Chinese company they previously used.
If I were you, I'd still charge $25. I know you're trying to cut us all a deal, but there's something nice about a product that is reassuringly expensive.
"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey." - John Ruskin
Don't fall into the trap of trying to compete on price alone. You make quality goods and people (especially here) are willing to pay for that quality. It's natural for people to associate price and quality and that goes both ways. If you charge too little, people may assume the good you're producing are sub-standard.
If I were you, I'd still charge $25. I know you're trying to cut us all a deal, but there's something nice about a product that is reassuringly expensive...You make quality goods and people (especially here) are willing to pay for that quality.
For me its a huge difference. One of the main reason I won't shop at WalMart is because a few years ago I saw a report that stated WalMart sends China 15 BILLION dollars a year for stuff they buy from them. I won't go off on a rant here. A couple of years ago had some T shirts printed for Bonneville. Very small order of 25-30 shirts. Can't remember the exact number. But I got a very good quality American made T shirt, three color for $10.50 a shirt. I have a thing about American made. I know these days that's next to impossible but I try. We are slowly killing this nation by killing its manufacturing ability.
My sis in law was here from Ireland a few months back. Her grandkids wanted Abercrombie and Fitch T shirts. Don't ask me why but they did. Found an A & F shop. T shirts were $40 each AND made in Viet Nam. I thought holy shit!! have we sunk this low? China is bad enough but fucking Viet Nam???? Has this country sold its pride and belief down the drain?? Sorry I said I wouldn't go on a rant. Do what you feel you must do and I'll continue to buy American made wherever possible.
Here's my take.
I'd rather have made in the USA stuff.
And I think you'd do well around here (DTT) selling the American made ones for a little more.
BUT assuming you're trying to grow this business and make some money at it, I think raising your prices no matter the reason is not a good call. For a tshirt I don't think it matters at all to the general public.
If you wanna do it I'd offer both options. Have a little pull down bar that says "100% made in the USA add $4" and see how it goes.
Market research by text and opinion isn't going to work. Everyone may say "hell yeah I want made in the USA on everything I buy" but the general population is going to rethink that when they see a price hike.
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