Made in China? Our response

This was submitted by a customer recently who also writes an online pet newsletter.

Hello,

I publish a newsletter at _______. My subscribers are very upset, of course, about China and do not want to buy any products from there, if at all possible. How about your products? Do you make them or buy them from an American/Canadian/Australian/British company?

Thanks, BB

My response and company opinion:

Hello and thank you for your e-mail. Some of our products are made in the countries listed below and some are made in China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Korea, etc. Please understand that we take the quality and safety of EVERY product we make, or buy to sell, very seriously. We test before and after manufacturing and we speak directly with every individual who feels they have a defective product (our defect rate is exceptionally low - less than .00001%).

We also firmly believe in our manufacturing partnerships with all nationals, not to the exclusion of some, because all nations have, or will have, some manufacturing issue, even the USA. Boycotting an entire country that supplies well over 50% of consumer goods to the USA is as effective as one person not shopping at Walmart because of Walmart's policies.

It is of our opinion that to have quality products that help not harm we, as consumers, must: 1. Stand firmly behind quality products, and their manufacturers - keep shopping and recommending their stores/websites/products; 2. be willing to pay the actual price for certain goods rather than expecting a price cut all the time (e.g. the Walmart-effect again); 3. support wholesalers and retailers who take responsibility for manufacturing issues; and, 4. have all the facts before issuing any judgment on an entire nation. China is not evil. China is not a terrible place to do business. China is not all lead paint. China is China - a land of many separate cultures, a huge and vast place, and the result of American consumerism. We take pride in our manufacturing in China and our business partnerships there. Just as we take pride in all the places we do business - again our intent is to help, not harm.

Lead paint is not used - nor is any paint - on our products. We child safety test, although we sell for animal use. We test for European safety - stronger and stricter than US standards. We think we do everything we can for our consumers because we consume our products and we expect only the best because we want the best.

I thank you for the e-mail and the opportunity to explain our company's position.
Sincerely,
Julee Roth, President
www.SnuggleMe.com
www.ChoicePetProducts.com