President Donald Trump wants us to buy American, signing an executive order today directing federal agencies to implement one of his campaign priorities. So ABC15 talked to shoppers, asking them if buying American is on their minds.
“I think it’s important,” said Alexa Schneider, a shopper. “I just think it’s making new habits and changing the way you shop, and really make an effort to look.”
She showed us some of her go-to items that were in her cart.
“Canada! Ah! Maybe I don’t try so hard,” Schneider said, reading the label on a laundry detergent product she bought.
Some shoppers said, seeing “Made in America” on their labels is ideal, in theory.
“It’s not always going to be the thing that persuades me the most in what I’m going to purchase,” said Matt Warren, a shopper.
For some shoppers, other factors come in to play.
“Usually cost and how convenient it is to get the product I’m looking for,” Warren said.
“Absolutely--convenience, for sure,” Schneider said.
Over at America’s Gift Mart at The Secret Village in Phoenix, Bonnie Mineo showed us several products she proudly offers that are made in the U.S.A.
But as a business owner, she said she has to weigh the costs. Buying American isn’t always the most cost-effective option, even though it may be the most ideal.
“If there’s something that’s very similar to an American-made product, but you’re going to pay $20 for an American made product, $10 for something made somewhere else, as a business owner it doesn’t make sense,” Mineo said.
As a local shop owner, she added that it’s extremely important to her to be able to offer those American-made products anyway.
“If we see it, we try to support it all the time. I mean, our store is called America’s Gift Shop,” Mineo said.
