Allright people!
I have been reading other threads on Tribe, watching the economy tank, just finished my taxes and closed out the books for last year, watching and reading where people are shopping, working and playing. And frankly, I am worried.
I try to shop and purchase locally - fruit vendors, mom and pop shops, restaurants, etc. And if not local, I try for natural, US made and produced items. I would rather pay $5 bucks more for a shirt or skirt that I know is made here in the US than ship my money over to China.
And as a business owner, I produce and supply (IMHO) products that are top quality and available for purchase at my own little shop, not to mention the custom orders that I am happy to work on. Skirts, harem pants, tops, cover ups - you name it and I can probably sew it for you at a competitive price. And if I can't do it, I know someone who can and they all reside here in the Northwest US!
There are certain items that I am not able to make, for instance hip scarves. I import them from a family business based in Cairo. To the best of my knowledge, they do not use child labor, they pay the workers a fair wage and send me a pretty impressive product which I then stock in my shop. And pants - I am not good at making the really cool flair pants, but I can send you to some pretty impressive sites that stock the pants. They are good quality and based in the northwest and the US.
My point is this: Yes - you can find sites that offers "cheap" costuming items. But at what cost to the rest of us? I am all for bargain hunting and I love finding a great deal. I also believe in paying a fair price for an item of quality and I firmly believe you "get what you pay for". If it is such a cheap price, WHY? Are they paying a fair wage? Are they using child labor? What is the quality?
It is very frustrating to me to sew my butt off and stock my shop so that I can try to compete, and then someone comes flitting up and says - "I found this great site with really cheap clothes that ship for free - we need to order from them and save some money" Are you really saving any money?
I know that the world is a global economy - the fabric I buy is generally made outside the US - have you ever tried to find fabric that is wholly US made? Not easy, believe me. Anyway, most clothing and jewelry items have components from outside the US. But if you can purchase a comparable product in the same price range and keep your money local, doesn't that just make sense?
**Off my soapbox for now**