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I'd be wary of enriching China. I'll wait till the brick and mortar stores open or buy things I know were made under fair working conditions (e.g. Birkenstocks, made in Germany).
Have you ever even checked how much of your clothes are actually made in China? Hardly any of mine are and China's market share in the global textiles market continues to shrink in favor of countries such as Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh (although the latter recently saw a series of cancellations due to COVID-19).
Plus, many companies have signed the CA Transparency in Supply Chain and the UK Modern Slavery Acts, which means they monitor their suppliers and licensees for compliance.
Have you ever even checked how much of your clothes are actually made in China?
Well, none of mine are but I agree with your point that the work has been farmed out to other low-cost countries. That's why I want to physically check labels before I buy, or else buy from a web site that specifies where it was manufactured- not just "imported".
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Plus, many companies have signed the CA Transparency in Supply Chain and the UK Modern Slavery Acts, which means they monitor their suppliers and licensees for compliance.
I follow news on the BBC, which I consider more credible than most media, and I know that companies are trying to be more careful about their supply chains, how the workers are treated, whether there's forced labor, etc. I just don't trust whatever they're told about their suppliers in China. There's just not enough transparency in that country to trust the information. Do you really think a Uighur worker who's been forced to work in a particular factory and be "re-educated" is going to speak freely, even one-one?
I think it is great to buy things like this. The economy needs the money being spent, the people you are buying from would be grateful for it, the point of the stimulus money was also to get people spending on discretionary items.
I have spent on a few things, and I even spent a little in the tech sector, as I needed a new hard drive. I found a fair price for it and bought one online...
But, more to your point, OP, no I don't see any problem with doing so during this pandemic. And the stores you're buying from thank you greatly for doing so.
If we had an issue with supply routes where ordering nonessential things like new clothes meant that essential items couldn't be delivered, etc., then I'd have a different take on things. But I haven't seen anything to support such an impact today.
Staying on topic, I bought a new piece for myself today
A lot of people are mentioning that shopping now is good for business, but the thing that I'm most concerned about is if it's safe for workers? Does my need to get something at a discount mean that someone else has to go to work in an unhealthy environment and put themselves at a greater risk for infection? Does opening up shops mean that workers have to choose between their health and their job?
Yesterday I pulled the trigger on a couple items I've been eyeing for months; one is a jacket that caught my eye in March when it was $450, and is now $134. The other is a pair of jeans that caught my eye at $185, and is now $55. I don't *need* either item, though both could be cool and/or come in handy when I'm no longer stuck in the house (or, worst case, next spring).
My question is, is it inappropriate to be buying non-necessities at a time like this? Or maybe it's actually a public good, supporting the economy a little bit? I feel a little guilty, but I also feel like it's stupid to pass on really good deals for things I'd probably buy later anyway and which will probably cost a lot more.
Anyone else having similar thoughts or experiences?
Do whatever you want. Not selfish. Today i went to Target and got some pool toys and candy bags who cares what's going on. Actually I stole them
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