9/18/95 - 325 - Consumer Comment of Timothy J. Heyden

Federal Trade Commission
Received Documents
Sep 18 1995
B18354900325
Secretary

                        Timothy J. Heyden
                         9782 Middle Rd.
                          E. Concord, NY
                              14055

Federal Trade Commission
Office of the Secretary                      9/14/95
"Made in the USA"
6th Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.
20580


     To whom this may concern:

     I am writing this letter to you in response to an article which appeared in the USA Today
on 7/14/95.  The article concerned New Balance shoes and questioned the manufacturers "Made
In The USA" label on shoes that are not 100 percent USA made.

     Here is my comment on this situation.

     Last year I purchased a pair of New Balance sneakers from the B.A. Mason shoe
company.  I purchased them because they were advertised as USA made and came in a EEE size,
something that is hard to find.  They are quality sneakers at a fair price.

     After receiving the sneakers I read an article which stated that New Balance shoes are not
100 percent USA made.  This really set me off.  I immediately sent a letter to the B.A. Mason
shoe company and complained.  I never received a reply.

     I personally feel that the American consumer has a right to know how much of a product
is American made.  Many of us make a dedicated effort to purchase "American Made" products
and we should not be deceived by greedy manufacturers and retailers.

     Furthermore, the latest trend in deceptive advertising is to advertise products in mail order
catalogs as "Made in USA or Imported".  As a consumer you now don't know the point of origin
of a product until you receive the item in the mail.  This is outrageous and inexcusable .

     I have enclosed a page from the Lands' End mail order catalog, titled "Extra" 1995. 
Please note that both items shown are "Made in USA or Imported".  This practice is very
common and must end.

     I would also like to see all imported products marked on the outside of the product with a
bright sticker stating that the product is "Imported".  The American consumer should be able to
clearly and easily identify a product as imported.

     I thank you for reading this letter from a consumer who looks for the "USA Made" label.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Heyden

Attachment [copy of advertisement]


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