Thread: Why we should buy Australian

I used to work for Bunnings, they used to (probably still do) pride themselves on the fact that all the timber they sell is sourced from reputable and sustainable growers. They didn't like it when I pointed out that most of the goods they sell are made by people on about a dollar a day. Also I am a motor trimmer/upholster, I can improve on the quality of most products that can be purchased, but cannot come near the prices (and that's after importing it). They are deceiving the purchaser and Enslaving the actual producer, all for an increase in profit.

It's hard sometimes.
For example, I need a new rear mudflap and support strut for the 110, after tearing the original off on the beach. There are plenty on ebay, but all imported. All of the choices cost a lot to freight in. One English supplier wanted to charge freight of 4 times the actual cost of the mudflap and strut. One quote was $130 including freight for a single mudflap and strut!
Surely someone here could knock up a rubber mudflap to size and a strut to hold it and send it to a capital city for a competitive price?

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

It's hard sometimes.
For example, I need a new rear mudflap and support strut for the 110, after tearing the original off on the beach. There are plenty on ebay, but all imported. All of the choices cost a lot to freight in. One English supplier wanted to charge freight of 4 times the actual cost of the mudflap and strut. One quote was $130 including freight for a single mudflap and strut!
Surely someone here could knock up a rubber mudflap to size and a strut to hold it and send it to a capital city for a competitive price?

That is insane, I bought brand new back in 1984 a L300 Mitsubishi, lost the plastic screw in fuel cap, went to Mitsubishi to get the replacement and was told that the replacement for the L300 was $80 (made here) however, the very same sized one was in the Magna (it was an import) and it was $25! Go figure!

Originally Posted by Dop

I used to work for Bunnings, they used to (probably still do) pride themselves on the fact that all the timber they sell is sourced from reputable and sustainable growers. They didn't like it when I pointed out that most of the goods they sell are made by people on about a dollar a day. Also I am a motor trimmer/upholster, I can improve on the quality of most products that can be purchased, but cannot come near the prices (and that's after importing it). They are deceiving the purchaser and Enslaving the actual producer, all for an increase in profit.

Hey Dop, too true...it is rife across many industries and primary producers, from dairy farmers, to writers, to technology production, to musicians. Capitalism de-values the primary producers because all the focus is on the relatively wealthy end users. This is why I believe capitalism is imploding. The ultimate end result of growth capitalism is that there is only one winner. And we are seeing the effects, from increases in refugees to desperate voters making rash decisions all over the world out of frustration because they feel devalued by global society.

It's very difficult to buy many products from ethical producers, because growth capitalism doesn't really value the source, the maker or the creative origin...it only values the end consumable product or service and wants it cheap or for free! Or weirdly for some things is prepared to pay top dollar because they can.

All of which makes it difficult for service providers and retailers ultimately, because eventually the de-valued majority won't be able to afford to pay the prices that the wealthy minority dictate, either discount as the maker, or top dollar as the consumer. We are heading there fast and there will be a backlash.

....I'm afraid to say, we ain't seen nothing yet.

Very, very true MrLandy. The global economy is still based on the system that John Maynard Keynes, along with someone else who's name escapes me, wrote called the second word war and how to pay for it. It is based on a conflict economy, meaning without a war or national conflict economic growth stagnates. It requires infinite growth, a little difficult in a finite world! I have a great documentary by Marilyn Waring, called "Counting for nothing". In it she explains how the journey of the Exxon Valdez was the most productive tanker journey ever! A real eye opener that! She was voted into New Zealand Parliament in 1975, awesome women. If you would like a copy (4 free) I can send you 1. Any way I must concur, we have seen nothing yet.
PS, I also have a brilliant docy called "Collapse", worth a watch if you are interested.

And perhaps an economist can explain: if we currently have the lowest inflation of all time, why interest rates keep being reduced and why Australian prices and the cost of living keep rising? ...though I'm not holding my breath, because it seems that the majority of economists remain so smitten by the dead end of growth capitalism that the blinkers are welded on...

Originally Posted by MrLandy

And perhaps an economist can explain why, if we currently have the lowest inflation of all time, interest rates keep being reduced and why Australian prices and the cost of living keep rising? ...though I'm not holding my breath, because it seems that the majority of economists remain so smitten by the dead end of growth capitalism that the blinkers are welded on...

I'll have a go. Our export prices for raw materials have halved, and we've moved much of our manufacturing plants to cheaper overseas countries such as China and Thailand, but we're still importing as many flat screen TVs, vehicles, computers and everything else, so how do we fund that? By borrowing money. Hence our private debt has hit record levels, so we need two fulltime incomes to pay our bills, but now there aren't enough jobs to employ everyone who needs a job to pay those bills. So, the economy is stagnating and our governments don't know what to do. The Reserve Bank just keeps cutting interest rates hoping we'll start spending again, but you can't spend money you don't have to spare, so all that's happening is that property prices in crowded Sydney keep soaring while the rest of the country is stagnant. Or, to put it another way, free market capitalism is failing.

Incidentally, I just emailed to cancel my mudflap order. Next week I'll trawl ebay for a cheaper alternative.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I'll have a go. Our export prices for raw materials have halved, and we've moved much of our manufacturing plants to cheaper overseas countries such as China and Thailand, but we're still importing as many flat screen TVs, vehicles, computers and everything else, so how do we fund that? By borrowing money. Hence our private debt has hit record levels, so we need two fulltime incomes to pay our bills, but now there aren't enough jobs to employ everyone who needs a job to pay those bills. So, the economy is stagnating and our governments don't know what to do. The Reserve Bank just keeps cutting interest rates hoping we'll start spending again, but you can't spend money you don't have to spare, so all that's happening is that property prices in crowded Sydney keep soaring while the rest of the country is stagnant. Or, to put it another way, free market capitalism is failing.

Incidentally, I just emailed to cancel my mudflap order. Next week I'll trawl ebay for a cheaper alternative.

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Nice one Mick. True. But then if everything's cheaper why do we greedy mob need two incomes? Because some services and products are way too expensive and we keep buying into it without bartering? ...in other words, because relatively we are so wealthy we expect to pay more. Unless it's for disposable white goods and tvs. ...and mudflaps?

Indeed we are really in trouble when even the biggest primary producers - the mines - are devalued. Not that I feel sorry for BHP. But I am very concerned for all workers around the world who are struggling to make ends meet due to the effects of short sighted greed engendered by growth capitalism.

Make your own mudflap out of a bit of recycled rubber. It will be more beautiful, unique and probably won't melt or fall off. Oh but hang on, then no one will value it! 😄