Folding Bikes - Designed In ??? But Made In ??? !!!

I bought a Dahon Mu C9 that was designed in the USA, but made in Taiwan. I thought to myself, I paid over 800 bucks for a bike that I thought was skillfully crafted by Americans, but find out from alittle sticker on the frame that it isn't. I don't want to sound like I am discriminating (I have Chinese ancentry btw), but when I pay alot of money for something, I want it to be made where it is designed. It was one of the reasons I justified paying alot of money for it (I use to imagine my bike being built like at a Bike Friday factory, but my imagine changed to old chinese women hammering away!:twitchy:). I eventually sold the bike to a friend because of it and bought myself a Brompton (after seeing pics of their factory, my image returned back to normal:love:). Am I just over-reacting and I shouldn't really care?

Also, if anyone can help me out, can you tell me where your folder is actually made? I am interested in getting another folder so I want to check out as many companies as possible.

Here is a short list of what I have found out from the web:

BD-1s have a huge German flag on the frame, yet it is actually made in Taiwan and just assembled in Germany.

Dahons have an American flag on the frame (designed in the USA around it) but they are made in Taiwan.

Bromptons are made in England (although I have seen some on Yahoo Auctions that were made in Taiwan).

Swift bikes are/were made in Brooklyn.....but they were bought out by Xroot. Are they still made in Brooklyn? (I was leaning towards getting this bike....if it is still made in Brooklyn)


Alex Moulton Bikes are made in an old mansion in England.

Not sure about other bikes, so let me know :thumb:

This bothered me when I found out about it as well. I have Dahons I have bought in Japan that also has the American flag sticker on it.

Reminds me of when the Chinese immigrant workers (basically slaves) in Saipan made clothing that said Made in the USA on it.

They should leave the flag off. Don't get me wrong. I'm American through and through and bleed red, white, and blue when cut but having an American Flag on a bike made in Taiwan and mailed to Japan is pushing it.

John

you've just opened a can of worms :popcorn:

no, I don't care. There's a bigger market for folding bikes in asia and europe than the americas.

A while ago lots of bikes were off-shored to japan because labour was cheap. The build quality and price at which you could build up a bike and have it shipped to somewhere else in the world was hard to beat.
Then the value of the yen went up, so the japanese off-shored production to taiwan. All the building knowledge and techniques were taught to the taiwanese workers so there was no stagnation in quality.

I also have a Dahon "Designed in America" (Duarte, CA), and made in China. It would not have been $129. brand new if it had been made here.

We also have two Bike Fridays made by hand in Eugene, OR, USA. We were happy to pay a premium for these quality, well-designed bikes because we want to support a company we like in a city we also like (we owned an old home there near campus when our daughter attended the University of Oregon in the late 80's-early 90's).

That said, it's hard/impossible to find low-cost bikes (like beach cruisers) made in America. It just isn't profitable to mass produce them here now due to the higher labor and overhead costs. It's one of the so-called benefits of FREE-TRADE and the International Exchange Rates.

What you will find being successful are custom bike builders in cities like Portland, OR where there is a thriving bike culture and many car-free or car-light individuals and families willing to pay for custom bikes.

It may not be what we'd like, but it's going to be that way for a long while.

this is really sad. i remember when i was a kid there is a commercial about a Zenith tv being pushed out of a plane an survived the fall. Zenith at that time was made in usa. i remember when i was a kid i had a 5 speed roadmaster bike made in usa (cost us about $250 - way back in the 70's) and i remember my dad bought another single speed bike make in usa. now you can hardly see bikes made in usa. i wouldn't mind paying a premium for something that is made in usa. just bring the jobs back here in usa. all my 3 dahons say "Designed in USA" Made in China. so sad.........do you know how much profit they are raking in for that ? that's the reason why they are doing it that way.

I was dissapointed when I bought a pair of Swiss walking shoes only to find that they were made in China. My German backpack was made in Vietnam. When I buy a product I like to think that I am paying for quality, which is why I like the Swiss/German brands. To find out that they are made using cheap labour in (perhaps) poor conditions does take the shine off purchases. With concerns about human rights and polution I feel we should be trying to avoid things made in China. Sadly everything seems to be made there. I was in a toy shop recently, looking for something for my grandson, and everything I picked up (and I do mean everything) was made in China.

To me, the main issues are:
- Are the offshore workers producing a quality product (value for money)?
- Are they paid and treated well?

Your Taiwanese-made Dahon stands a good chance of passing both tests. In that case, why insist on made-in-your-own-country?

I remember reading on this forum that Dahon labour practices are better than most in China too, though others here would know more about that. I avoid certain brands because of their past history of labour abuse (Nike, anyone?).

dahon is a taiwanese brand, right?
anyway, i don't really care where it's made, as long as it fits my needs.

To me, the main issues are:
- Are the offshore workers producing a quality product (value for money)?
- Are they paid and treated well?

Your Taiwanese-made Dahon stands a good chance of passing both tests. In that case, why insist on made-in-your-own-country?

I remember reading on this forum that Dahon labour practices are better than most in China too, though others here would know more about that. I avoid certain brands because of their past history of labour abuse (Nike, anyone?).

it's not other countries meeting quality standards - it is about supporting your country. i would rather pay more knowing that it is made in usa, manufactured and produced by US workers.

I just felt cheated that I thought I bought a bike made in the USA, like a BIKE FRIDAY. Seeing a big USA flag painted on the frame led me to believe it was made in the USA. If, it isn't so important, then why does Dahon do it in the first place? Because no one wants to spend $800 on a bike made in Taiwan (Because you can get them cheaper). That is the truth!

here, read this book
http://www.amazon.com/Capitalism-Freedom-Phoenix-Milton-Friedman/dp/0226264017

I agree that it's a little bit disingenuous for Dahon to slap an American flag on a bike that is manufactured in Taiwan.

That said:
• Taiwan is a major manufacturing center for bicycle parts, components and frames.
• Parts etc made in Taiwan cover the entire range of quality, including high end.
• Nation of origin does not necessarily reflect quality, or the QC exercised by the company.
• Many people pay very large sums of money for Taiwanese-made bikes. For example, the Pinarello Prince frame is apparently made in Taiwan; the frame alone will set you back $5500.

Even with their dodgy weld splatter, R20s were made in England.....and they last!!

The "Made in xxx" simply means "70% of value created in country xxx". So to follow on from Bacciagalupe's Pinarello (surprise!) example, that could simply mean:
- The carbon is laid in Taiwan, cost $800
- Frame is painted in Italy, then sold for $3000 wholesale
So even before adding retail margins, 70% of the value is created in Italy, making the frame eligible for "Made in Italy" stickers.

I didn't know Pinarello have frames built in Taiwan. The other high-end brand I know made in Taiwan is Cervelo. The Taiwanese Bromptons were Neobikes, Brompton pulled out of that licensing deal due to QC problems.

And consider this: recently (I think as of 2007), 25% of the world's bikes are made in Taiwan, and 40% of that is made by Giant. The likelyhood of your bike being Taiwanese made is very high indeed.

it's not other countries meeting quality standards - it is about supporting your country. i would rather pay more knowing that it is made in usa, manufactured and produced by US workers.

If you want to support America then buy the taiwanese bikes and use the savings to buy American stocks or music or computer software.

It's a win win situation as Americans don't have to work in factories and eventually Taiwanese won't either after Americans move on to the next technological breakthrough (and I believe they will because America consists of the best of every nation and everyone knows it).


I just felt cheated that I thought I bought a bike made in the USA, like a BIKE FRIDAY. Seeing a big USA flag painted on the frame led me to believe it was made in the USA. If, it isn't so important, then why does Dahon do it in the first place? Because no one wants to spend $800 on a bike made in Taiwan (Because you can get them cheaper). That is the truth!

I disagree. The truth is that high end taiwanese bikes are better than their american or english made counterparts, which are boutique operations which make up for their primitive manufacturing with better quality control and customer service. You weren't cheated; you got a good deal.

I am typing this post on what I consider to be the best designed state-of-the-art computer... American design... Macintosh Core Duo... made in China.

I don't have any problems with that... (although I can understand and appreciate the sentiment of those who would).

Personally, I don't like the marketing practice of bike graphics having the flag of any country to appeal to a specific market's patriotism whether it's made or designed there or not. It's just a cheap shot. Any product should stand on it's own merit... and marketers shouldn't trick people into thinking it's better because of a flag or some other notion. The best design is the best design no matter where it's made. Bad manufacturing is just bad manufacturing regardless of where the intellectual property design comes from. They are two different things.

You're on to a winner when you get the best of both... but in today's "global village" realities, it's just getting less likely for both to be coming from the same place.

.

I really don't care where any of my stuff is made - but I prefer to buy fair trade, and I don't buy from some of the big brands who are well known for exploiting workers, such as Nike and Nestlé.

Though there is a recession on, and I almost lost my job, I still don't want to buy British purely to support British workers. There are nearly enough jobs here, and comprehensive benefits. Nobody starves, and nearly everyone has a roof over their head. That isn't the case in much of the world.

Also, patriotism makes me uncomfortable. What's the difference between patriotism and nationalism, or national socialism? I'm not just stirring here; I really don't know the difference.

http://allanti.com/page.cfm?PageID=328

"
Some bike companies have a few secrets. And one of those secrets is where your bike is made or who actually made it. The bike companies like it that way because many of them rely upon the same factories to build their bikes!

The big picture is pretty clear: around 95% of the bikes sold in the U.S. are made in China or Taiwan by a handful of manufacturers of which Giant is the largest.
"

I prefer to buy products made in smaller developing countries. The people need the money. The level of poverty there dwarf anything seen in the USA.

Made in China is good by me.

Better to buy American. But we have offshored our industrial base in the name of free trade. This has allowed a few CEO's to make very high short term profits. But it cuts the foundations of our middle class. Right now we have a race to the bottom.

did some of you guys even click my link for "Capitalism and Freedom"?

Brompton are British made but even this company has a few parts out-sourced. I was reading an early review of the Titanium Bromptons the other day.... turns out that the rear triangle is made in Russia and the forks are made in China.

I’m sure some of the parts that Bike Friday use will be out-sourced.

Lets not confuse Japan with China. A world of difference. Japan is very high quality, quality materials and workmanship. China, NO. Inferior materials, craftsmanship, etc.

Most bike manufacturers these days just go through a china catalog of bikes, picks one and then slap their name on it.

Lets not confuse Japan with China. A world of difference. Japan is very high quality, quality materials and workmanship. China, NO. Inferior materials, craftsmanship, etc.

Most bike manufacturers these days just go through a china catalog of bikes, picks one and then slap their name on it.

After WWII, we had many 'cheap' products stamped "Made in Occupied Japan". At that time Japan specialized in inferior quality 'copies' of things such as cameras. Fifteen to twenty years later they were making high quality technically sophisticated products, like my 1967 Nikon F, which was the top SLR camera for a long time. (It's an antique now.)

China will likely follow this same developmental path.

The big question is how do we in the U.S. 'develop' from here on out?

Lets not confuse Japan with China. A world of difference. Japan is very high quality, quality materials and workmanship. China, NO. Inferior materials, craftsmanship, etc.

Most bike manufacturers these days just go through a china catalog of bikes, picks one and then slap their name on it.

Actually there are quality items coming out of China, BUT the American consumer demands lowest prices and the shareholders want maximum profit, so you get over priced cheap crap. Eventually China may go the way of Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, Korea and other countries. Currently things are being off shored from China to Vietnam and I am guessing that Africa will be the next great manufacturing front for cheap labor.

I worked for Black and Decker for a couple of years at a plant in NC, that plant was shut down for good in 2005 with the jobs going mostly to Reynosa, Mexico. The Reynosa plant has now been scaled back and the jobs sent to China. All in the name of cheapest prices and greatest profits.

Aaron:)

did some of you guys even click my link for "Capitalism and Freedom"?

AEO,

I did click on it, but Friedman's book is 208 pages, and you can't read it on line.

Please state some of the points he makes that apply here. Thanks.

Lou

I also have a Dahon "Designed in America" (Duarte, CA), and made in China.

Marketing spin is a fact of life. Very ambitious weight claims are common for all bikes, weight and folded size claims for folding bikes. Then there are claims about where made, a casual observer would think all Trek and all Cannondale bikes for example were made either in US factories in the far east, but they are all probably made in the same chinese factories along with Giant, specialized and other brands, and they are almost the same bikes with different stickers (the 'design' part of the process) . Press releases come from US HQ's - implying that is where the manufacturing takes place.

I think most bike companies, (or is that most companies), just BS about their stuff.

AEO,

I did click on it, but Friedman's book is 208 pages, and you can't read it on line.

Please state some of the points he makes that apply here. Thanks.

Lou

here you go, next best thing.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=526983
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism_and_Freedom

With regard to Dahon, they have previously advertised having their own design and manufacturing facilities (in China). See this website dated 2005: http://www.dahonlicense.com/d1-3.html

here you go, next best thing.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=526983
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism_and_Freedom

His views are not without controversy, and many are still untested. In American terms they are usually thought of as Conservative or Libertarian views. For instance: Flat Tax, eliminate Gov't regulation, eliminate Soc Sec, eliminate corp income tax, eliminate minimum wage laws, the Free Market is best and no licensing for doctors. (There are many more.)

It is however, a view from the top of the economic ladder, IMO. The best results of a system like this would be for the Corp.s and the 'investor class'.

The book was written in 1962 - when I was in college. Lots of things have changed in American life - and the world in general - since then. For instance: Commercial TV was just 10-15 yrs old (depending on where in the country you lived). Dr.s, Lawyers, Accountants and drug companies were not allowed to advertise - it wasn't considered ethical. Most families were single-income. If the wife did work, her income didn't count when you went to buy a home! You still dressed-up to fly on an airplane. The first "general" credit card was BankAmericard introduced in 1958 - MasterCard didn't appear until 1966. - in other words shopping was a whole lot different and not a category of 'recreation' as it is now - you also didn't own 5-7 bikes, or more.

The biggest change has been in transportation (airlines, container ships, 3-4 cars per family) and marketing (TV, Internet, far more mailings, etc.), and easy credit for all.

While there has always been Gov't control, and lots of Corp influence, in my opinion if Gov't control is decreased, the void will be filled by corp influence & control via ad campaigns and the types of products and services we are offered. We are always steered toward the most profitable choices for the presenter, not what might be best for us as a country or individuals.

Consumption makes our world go 'round to the tune of 70% of the U.S. economy. So...be proud of that American flag adorning that Chinese made bike. Better design is one of the few things, other than consumption, we can contribute to the world's 'Free Market' economy.

After that outpouring, I need a bike ride, BAD.

Lou

Dahon's website describes their U.S. headquarters and production facilities including Taiwan and Mainland China. Doesn't seem like they're trying to deceive anyone with American flag stickers. Some of our Dahons have the flag, some don't. But all have stickers which state where they're produced. Their website also describes how the
founder originally tried to have bikes produced in the U.S., but was turned away. That's when he founded Dahon in Taiwan.

http://www.dahon.com/aboutus/company.htm

It's a win win situation as Americans don't have to work in factories and eventually Taiwanese won't either after Americans move on to the next technological breakthrough (and I believe they will because America consists of the best of every nation and everyone knows it). Oh please give me a break! There are cutting edge technologies in other parts of the world. The Europeans and Japanese might disagree with you. Read Michael Porter's work 'The Competitive Advantage of Nations'. The US might be the leader in certain technologies such as e-commerce but not everything like some Americans delusionally believe.


Lets not confuse Japan with China. A world of difference. Japan is very high quality, quality materials and workmanship. China, NO. Inferior materials, craftsmanship, etc.Nothing worse than people who spout off opinions and don't even have the full facts or any real knowledge at their disposal. Shows how much you know about the vast diversity of the Chinese manufacturing hub.


Better to buy American. But we have offshored our industrial base in the name of free trade. This has allowed a few CEO's to make very high short term profits. But it cuts the foundations of our middle class. Right now we have a race to the bottom. You are sliding down a slippery slope because a decade of the Bush adminstration undid all the economic renaissance in the US in the 90's. Shall we stop buying US software and using eBay in Europe then? Let's go back to the protectionism of the Great Depression in the 1930's. Yeah right!

At the end of the day, the original op raised an interesting point about transparency on where bikes are claimed to be made. Then the xenophobes and gung-hos stepped in on the thread!

Bikes and especially folding bikes represent the 21st century. Some are mostly indigenous to our countries and some are based on global outsourcing and some are made in high quality factories in Taiwan/China. Others come from the lower end of the Chinese spectrum and are best avoided. People make absolute statements as if everything was 'black and white'. Welcome to the real world which consists of many hues!

As an Irishman I'd like to say the concept of the folding bike actually originated from the legacy of some fine British engineers such as Alex Moulton and Andrew Ritchie of Brompton. David Hon, the founder of Dahon (American Taiwanese if I'm correct) has also contributed a lot to commercial innovation of folding bikes since the 1980's. Now BF in the USA is part of the international process of some fine innovations. Most of us on this forum respect and appreciate them all.

Suffice to say, there isn't room for too much nationalism and even xenaphobia when it comes to making decisions on purchasing or judging folding bikes. However there is enough variety for us to exercise such options if so inclined, just be prepared to pay a premium and don't complain about it!

Imagine what some of dahon or downtube bikes would cost if it were made in usa? It would be twice the price! As a consumer, price is the bottom line beside the build quality. Sorry I don't want to pay double the price. That's why I got a downtube instead of a brompton or a bike friday. This is a global economy and we are not living in a stone age. Bike company who are able to do thing cheaper and better will survive and those are not will go bankrupt like the usa auto company GM.

Imagine what some of dahon or downtube bikes would cost if it were made in usa?

It's not hard to imagine: Bike Friday makes all their bikes in the US. The Mu P8 costs about $600-700. The Mu SL costs $1050-$1150. A Bike Friday Tikit Model T or Pocket Sport Road costs $1000. A Bike Friday Pocket Companion costs $900. Given the difference both in price and quality, at most we're talking 25% more for the same quality bike.

It's not hard to imagine: Bike Friday makes all their bikes in the US. The Mu P8 costs about $600-700. The Mu SL costs $1050-$1150. A Bike Friday Tikit Model T or Pocket Sport Road costs $1000. A Bike Friday Pocket Companion costs $900. Given the difference both in price and quality, at most we're talking 25% more for the same quality bike.

How do u explain the downtube mini cost $500 vs dahon mu sl or curve sl and tikit $1000?

It's not hard to imagine: Bike Friday makes all their bikes in the US. The Mu P8 costs about $600-700. The Mu SL costs $1050-$1150. A Bike Friday Tikit Model T or Pocket Sport Road costs $1000. A Bike Friday Pocket Companion costs $900. Given the difference both in price and quality, at most we're talking 25% more for the same quality bike.

How do u explain the downtube mini costing $500 vs dahon mu sl or curve sl and tikit $1000?

What I like about some bike companies is that they do make some of their bikes in the US (Cannondale, Trek, etc....) so I am able to get a real bike and feel good about it. Buying a bike made in China or Taiwan makes me feel like I am riding a bike that was mass produced and uncertain quality.

It's not hard to imagine: Bike Friday makes all their bikes in the US. The Mu P8 costs about $600-700. The Mu SL costs $1050-$1150. A Bike Friday Tikit Model T or Pocket Sport Road costs $1000. A Bike Friday Pocket Companion costs $900. Given the difference both in price and quality, at most we're talking 25% more for the same quality bike.

law of economics/accounting - it's all about profit. they moved factories somewhere in asia for bigger margin of profits. that's reality. they are not thinking about making it cheaper and selling it cheaper to the people. they are thinking about building it cheap and selling it expensive for more profits.....that's how it is now. just so sad - i remember years and more years ago - everything are made in usa. and yet people survived even at a cost. bikes are mostly made in usa and yet you see all those kids in the neighborhoods with bikes. tvs are all made in usa and yet most homes have tvs. cars are made in usa and yet most people have cars in their garages. and those cars are priceless right now. i would say when they started building cars with parts made somewhere else is when the quality of the usa cars slid...just my opinion and i am not expecting any backlash..........

How do u explain the downtube mini costing $500 vs dahon mu sl or curve sl and tikit $1000?

Um. The downtube and the dahons are made in the same country. I'm not exactly sure what your argument is, but this is no doubt not helping it.

As to the mini vs. the tikit: some of it is of course location and wages (China is obviously cheaper). But easily half of it is the tikit is a better bike.

Oh please give me a break! There are cutting edge technologies in other parts of the world. The Europeans and Japanese might disagree with you. Read Michael Porter's work 'The Competitive Advantage of Nations'. The US might be the leader in certain technologies such as e-commerce but not everything like some Americans delusionally believe.

Money is the rudder that steers the ship and Americans gravitate towards it because they know that only a fool would give it up to favor a position of less control. Make no mistake: America is a sleeping giant whose lack of direct leadership in some industries should not be interpreted as weakness, but rather strength.

Please don't take this as an insult to the Europeans or Japanese or any other nation. On the contrary, as a unique nation of immigrants the greatness of America is actually nothing more but a literal reflection of the greatness of other nations and David Hon is a prime example (although I don't know if he's a first generation immigrant or later).

Compare Dahon customer service/parts replacement with Bike Friday...any questions?:innocent: Also the last time I checked Bike Friday will customize, Dahon? You take what they offer, if you can get it.

Pricing difference between Dahon and Downtube? Who advertises and maintains a distribution centers?

Aaron:)

Compare Dahon customer service/parts replacement with Bike Friday...any questions?:innocent: Also the last time I checked Bike Friday will customize, Dahon? You take what they offer, if you can get it.

Pricing difference between Dahon and Downtube? Who advertises and maintains a distribution centers?

Aaron:)

A good example of three very different business plans, and three very different size companies.

Likely most manufacturing will not return to the U.S. until our labor and regulation "costs" approach the then lowest cost country. At that point, we will likely have all the poverty, pollution and worker's rights problems they also have.


Another issue, especially with larger companies, is income taxes. Many are now manufacturing off-shore and avoiding, or minimizing, U.S. corporate taxes through bookkeeping methods. There is also the possibility that U.S. companies will find it more profitable to sell out to foreign companies than to continue to operate. Then U.S. brands will really become foreign brands, even though the names may not change. Or, the U.S. owner will just license use of their brand name to foreign entities - like Schwinn and Coleman do - and make their money that way.

It's not as simple as it once was. Too many folks with MBA's out there figuring out new ways to make money...lol. (Not me though; I'm just another lazy, college drop-out.)

What I like about some bike companies is that they do make some of their bikes in the US (Cannondale, Trek, etc....) so I am able to get a real bike and feel good about it. Buying a bike made in China or Taiwan makes me feel like I am riding a bike that was mass produced and uncertain quality.

can you explain what bikes are made in the US from Trek Cannondale Specialized Raleigh Giant KHS Schwinn GT Mongoose and and and .........

Every mass-produced item we use, not just bikes, are the product of perhaps multiple countries. Why the big surprise? If you want a "Made in America" product they are out there, even bikes - nice ones at that. You just have to do your homework and have the bucks to support your predilection.

BTW, while I may not care where it is made, I do care how. I try to do my research, limited though my resources may be. I would never buy a Nike product, for example. I do like TOMS shoes.

can you explain what bikes are made in the US from Trek Cannondale Specialized Raleigh Giant KHS Schwinn GT Mongoose and and and .........

If you do your research, you can find out easily. I will absolutely make sure I know where the bike is made from now on after buying a 'designed in the USA' Dahon. Usually, a bike Made in USA will say so on the frame (cannondales especially, although you have to be careful bc they use the Designed in USA sticker on their cheaper bikes, too). Besides that, if I am not sure, I will call the bike shop/Manufacturer!

I doubt you can be much of a purist with the made in USA thing. Even if you get a frame made in the US, most of the components will still likely be made in China.

I was dissapointed when I bought a pair of Swiss walking shoes only to find that they were made in China. My German backpack was made in Vietnam. When I buy a product I like to think that I am paying for quality, which is why I like the Swiss/German brands. To find out that they are made using cheap labour in (perhaps) poor conditions does take the shine off purchases. With concerns about human rights and polution I feel we should be trying to avoid things made in China. Sadly everything seems to be made there. I was in a toy shop recently, looking for something for my grandson, and everything I picked up (and I do mean everything) was made in China.

Clarks are now made in Vietnam, and Ecco have shut down most of their European production and now produce shoes in China, for the same price that the ones made in the EU cost. Somehow Reiker still manages to make nice shoes in the EU for a good price.

Most of us enjoy and appreciate the variety of folding bikes from around the world.

I'm very happy with my Brompton and Dahon Cadenza 08.

I'm for both mostly indigenous, albeit premium companies such as Brompton and Bike Friday but also for outsourced brands like Downtube. You won't have much choice in consumer durables these days if you take the 'made in USA' approach.

I care, but it's pretty academic. I'm pretty sure the only made-in-USA parts on my folder are the ones I made myself.