Popular diaper brand made in HongKong?

[Michigan Mama]

I know there was a very recent thread here regarding buying diapers off ebay that are made in China. Well, the topic just became a little more real for me!

I've been trying to decide what other cd brands I want to carry/sell in my store...and with some recent inquiries and investigations, I found that one of the TOP diaper brands around are manufactured in Hong Kong! (I only found out because I didn't see listed anywhere where they were made, and I specifically asked.) I was shocked. Maybe others know this already, I was just suprised. I know they are good quality and popular diapers, but now I am feeling really up in the air about whether I should sell them or not.

I guess I'm looking for some imput as far as your feelings on this. Would you be suprised to know some of the diapers in your stash are made overseas? Would it change your mind about buying if you knew?

I guess I'm just thinking it would be better to support local wahms or family owned businesses as much as I can (since that's what I am!)...but it's hard to close the door on such a popular brand... (I will leave the brand un-named at this time).

Mods, if this should be posted elsewhere, feel free to move it...Thanks.

[paintingmom]

I have had similar issues--I make and sell diapers but also do a Cloth 101 workshop where I include a ton of other options as well. I have been torn because I know that many people don't get into cding because the initial investment scares some people and many of the REALLY cheap pocket options are made in China.

I personally have chosen to only include US made diapers--although now I want to know which one you just found--if you wouldn't mind pming me with that info I'd appreciate it!

So my personal take is that I also want to support US and WAHM made products and businesses whenever I can with both my pocket book and by word of mouth.

Maybe a good compromise would be just making sure that where they are made is placed prominently on your site--maybe even have a US made sort option or page even so that people can make the decision for themselves.

[Michigan Mama]

Originally Posted by paintingmom

Maybe a good compromise would be just making sure that where they are made is placed prominently on your site--maybe even have a US made sort option or page even so that people can make the decision for themselves.

That's a good thought. But I still wonder if I should just try to support stuff that is made here at home (or at least in North America).

Does this matter to you, Mamas?

[SuzyLee]

It matters to me. But I often forget to check when I am ordering something, so I appreciate sites that clearly mark that either all or some of their products are MIUS/Can.

Are you talking about FB? I hve heard they are made overseas but am not sure where.

[deputy465]

I am probably one of the cheapest moms you are ever going to meet . . . I look for the best value possible (and not just with diapers LOL). Honestly, I would rather know where my diapers are made. I would pay more money to support WAHMs, rather than buy diapers made in China. Of course, I might be biased since I have a child diagnosed with lead poisoning . . . .

It sounds like you know this company to be a good one, so I think what was previously said . . . about offering your customers the info and letting them make the decision.

I wouldn't quit buying from a certain website just because they carried diapers in China. In fact, if they were honest with me, I would want to buy from them even more

Just my opinion!

[Michigan Mama]

Originally Posted by deputy465

It sounds like you know this company to be a good one, so I think what was previously said . . . about offering your customers the info and letting them make the decision.

I wouldn't quit buying from a certain website just because they carried diapers in China. In fact, if they were honest with me, I would want to buy from them even more

I appreciate your imput!

[Talula Fairie]

While I would prefer to only buy American made diapers and products, very little is made in America anymore. I am friends with Suzanne who owns Goodmama, and I remember what she went through trying to find a good manufacterer in America, there just aren't very many anymore and they're all very costly.

I don't like outsourcing, but I'm also too broke to afford most of the stuff that is made in America. Ultimately for me it often comes down to a choice of not buying a product at all (which isn't exactly an option with diapers) or buying something that has been made overseas. It's just a sad fact of our econemy right now. If I had more money, I would certainly work hard at buying locally, but I just can't afford it right now.

In terms of how that would effect you, I can tell you that if I went to a website that didn't sell the product I was looking for (for example, Bum Genius), I'd simply shop somewhere else.

[BeagleMommy]

It matters to me, too. Although, I am not strictly a Made in USA kind of gal. I try to buy WAHM, then US made, then other free country made (like BG made in Egypt or European toys), and only as a last resort Chinese made stuff. This is more for human rights reasons than for quality. A lot of Chinese made stuff is high quality. And a lot of US stuff is junk now days, too. I also make an exception for bamboo and silk things because IMO these should come from the far east.

The reasons mentioned above are why I am not trying Gro Baby Diapers.

I really like sites like Jillians Drawers that make it relatively easy to tell country of origin. Full disclosure is all it is to me. I mean, if companies are so ashamed that their items are made in China, maybe they should pay more and manufacture elsewhere. I am willing to pay more for good, fair trade items.

[wombatclay]

I like to know where things are produced... in part to support local economies and in part to be more aware of the hidden costs of products I use (transportation, manufacturing, carbon offset, human rights, etc).

However, while I appreciate knowing this information, it's only one part of my personal financial equation. When I have the money or ability, I buy local/hand-crafted products because those tend to score better on all my different "value points". When money is tight I buy whatever is the best dollar value and let the others go to a certain extent. If a product can be purchased locally for a very similar dollar cost then I go with that. But if the product I can afford is manufactured abroad then I accept that and "make it up" in another way (purchasing a carbon offset or buying trees through Roots & Shoots when my budget allows, picking up litter at a local park that can't afford ground keeping staff anymore, sending letters to local/state/federal representatives to encourage their support of economic/environmental/sustainable measures, signing petitions, volunteering at local union or handwork events, "talking up" local shops and crafters and using their products visibly during social networking events like LLL or ICAN meetings, etc).

I guess my overall feeling is... offer people the choice. A free DIY pattern or two, made in the US, made locally by a "real person", made abroad (and where, hopefully with details about what that production entails... obviously some companies are more responsible than others). That way they can choose the option that fits best with where they are and what they need. I'd rather someone cd with imported cloth then assume they "can't afford it" and use imported sposies, you know?

[Michigan Mama]

Thanks for all your comments, Mamas. I haven't come to a decision yet. I'll have to keep thinking on it!

[Ifluffedthree]

Pretty sure I know who your talking about.

No I don't buy China made diapers and not much else if I can avoid it. I have scaled away from it for almost 10 years now so much of my transition has already taken place at a comfortable level. I do the $10.00 rule of thumb. By putting my $10.00 into my local economy I help create jobs, reduce shipping, manufacturing and transportation on our environment. A little $10.00 transition goes a long way for the economy and even further on our already taxed environment.

Suzanne has production in Utah (Goodmama's)

Linda has all her production/warehouse & store in SanDiego, CA (Happy Heiny's)

Margarite production is in VA and also in her local town but I am not sure if all her product line is in the USA. She has two different lines.

I believe I have this correct.

[Juliacat]

I prefer U.S. or Canada-made diapers, but it's not a total dealbreaker. For me, durability and ease of care are the #1 issues. If I could find, say, organic, locally grown prefolds that were the same size, the same absorbency, and the same durability as Chinese or Indian prefolds, I would be willing to pay extra for them. But when you're buying over the Internet, and it's a huge purchase and a really important one, sometimes it's easier to default to what you know will work, regardless of where it comes from.

With pocket diapers it's even trickier since they are so expensive, a few dollars could break the bank. You could always carry them but label them "Made in Hong Kong" and let your customers make up their own minds. Also, it makes me feel better (could be I'm just a sucker...) if it can somehow be certified that the workers have decent working and living conditions and wages, even if they're overseas.

[HeatherB]

Moved to WAHM Well.

[CawMama]

Before I started my shop, I looked at doing a Cloth diaper shop that carried only USA made diapers. It can be done! Personally, I would really shy away from non American made cloth dipes, especially when there are so many to choose from (WAHM, etc...).

[fruitfulmomma]

Wanted to point out that even though the diapers may be made in the US, the fabrics still could be made in China or elsewhere. At one point, and I am not sure if this is still true - it's been a couple of years, the only place manufacturers were able to get their inserts was from China. Also, since it is illegal to grow hemp in America, all hemp must be imported.

[Michigan Mama]

Thanks, Mamas, for all your input. I've decided at this point to stay away from stuff made overseas, and stick with things made in North America whenever possible.

There are plenty of great companies, like Thirsties, where the fabric and components are from the U.S. and they are made here, too. : )

[CawMama]

[paintingmom]

Originally Posted by Carrin

I second that!

[hrsmom]

Originally Posted by Carrin

I second that, too!

[katiesk]

good for you! i don't buy things made overseas (especially in china) when i can help it unless i know that it is under ethical conditions.

even when i really really really want something, i would rather not buy it made in china. i just decided not to buy a learning tower for my dd because i realized that they are made in china, and the company won't give me any info on ethical practices...so no learning tower for us.

anyway, good call!