Here's the best of the comments on the State Department glassware purchase mentioned above (go to ezine, April 14, 2010). Few of our bloggers approved of the sale:
Kristen, NY said ...
I searched online: NY Senators Schumer and Gillebrand and Sen. Brown of Ohio are addressing this outrageous no-bid contract. American glass companies will be able to bid, but evidently not until fall 2010. Former NY Sen. Clinton should have done much better on this as 1) she knows well the economic problems in the state and 2) outsourcing production goes against what she has said about the U.S. needing to manufacture goods to remain strong. The State Dept. acknowledges an "error" in not ascertaining that Steuben does make the lead-free glass they need. Ridiculous!
And a warning from a blogger about the Chinese silver story:
I am a jeweler and it (Chinese silver) has taken over the silver market in jewelry. They plate it in copper, then nickel and then sometimes in rhodium; it looks great at first, but when heated for repairs the copper bubbles up and the plating cracks off and looks horrible. It is hard to detect in a lot of instances.
3 comments:
I can attest to the Chinese silver issue. There is a company in Florida which sells ALOT of lovely looking "silver". They have the word "reputation" in their name, and it shouldn't be a good one. I purchased 12 sets of necklaces and earrings a few years ago, and the silver outside wore off and I was so embarrassed. The company fails to respond. The silver is marked as 925 also, you must beware!
It is so sad that our economic woes have aggravated the need to buy inexpensive goods from China. Of course we all want to reduce out expenses, individuals and businesses alike. China can undercut prices of American made goods to the point our companies cannot compete. If we all would commit to buying American, it would be much better in so many ways. American manufacturers have to do their part, too. If there is way to cut costs to consumers without sacrificing quality,that would be a huge help. We seem to be trapped in an financial Catch 22that is destroying American manufacturing.
a lot of sterling is plated because sterling will tarnish by plating it will have the shine and wearablity ..it has nothing to do with china, I know I plated a lot of sterling for major jewlery comapnies in the USA and anyone who knows how to repair will repair with little heat and replate
chris
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