North and South America store customers might be interested to know that we are switching both the Firefox and Thunderbird polo shirts to an American Apparel brand. Early next week I expect to have the new Firefox polo up on the site. We are doing this for a few reasons:
(1) American Apparel makes great quality USA-made, sweatshop-free products. These polo shirts will be a step up from the ones we are currently selling.
(2) American Apparel is a reliable supplier and we won't be subject to out of stock situations. We made the switch to American Apparel on the tshirt side because we were having some problems with the previous vendor not having shirts consistently in stock.
You will notice that the new polos will be a different color in both cases. But I think you will like the new look! We will continue to carry the old styles until we sell out of the remaining sizes.
Posted by marcia at January 5, 2006 4:38 PMHere's a photo of the Firefox polo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nitot/73723864/in/set-1603279/
Here's to the start of my modeling career.
Posted by: Rafael at January 5, 2006 6:51 PMThanks Marcia for choosing Made-in-USA!
Posted by: Ulysses at January 5, 2006 6:58 PMWhat about for international (e.g. EU) customers?
Posted by: Ian at January 6, 2006 2:02 AMWhat about anti-american customers?
Posted by: chele at January 6, 2006 2:35 AMYour comment about sweatshops say that you have not much of a clue about what really happens in these poorer countries. Newspaper reports are your only source of 'knowledge'. If you go and see how people live in these countries, you will see that having something to eat is the most important thing in a lot of people's life. The so called 'sweat shops' have brought in hope and sumptuous meals to people who were going to bed hungry.
About he standard of working environment you are alluding to - not everywhere in the world people live and work in airtight artificially controlled environments. Most people in the world live in their natural environments, and businesses established in those countries are not different. Over time, when those people prosper, their lives and living habits would change to incorporate comfortable living in their lives.
My theory is that you only help the people by buying from 'sweat shops'. What if noone buy sfinished goods because they are made from 'sweat shops'? Companies layoff and the workers all are forced to go be jobless, or if fortunate, find other jobs. If this really bothers you, talk to the corporate fat cats who make a pretty penny off these people. Or if you wanted to seek alternative to these corporate tyrants, don't punish the people who work hard to make a living, support organizations which helps these people sustain their livelihood.
But then again, running a business, catering to demanding customer needs and being passionate about poor people might not always go together. If the customer support is what you care for, you made the right choice.
att Hem:
I somewhat agree, but I thinkt there is a difference in how compannies stay sweatshop-free..
If they just buy their product in another country then you are right, but what if the buy the products from other companies in the same country, companies that do provide better work conditions.. then I think you are wrong..
Things aren't black and white...
Posted by: henrik at January 6, 2006 3:26 AMIan - We can't sell the same polos that are sold in the U.S. store in the International store. The polos sold in the International store will be the Gildan brand.
Posted by: marcia at January 6, 2006 11:37 AM