Archive for the ‘Financial Crisis’ Category
Back to School Supplies Made in the USA
Americans spent a staggering $52 BILLION on “Back to School Supplies” in 2010.
We believe that very little of your $52 BILLION spent at big box retailers benefited American companies and US workers.
If you are worried about the future of the US economy…. If you care about the millions of unemployed and homeless Americans…Make a Pledge that in 2011 you will buy Back to School Supplies that are Made in the USA!!! It’s that simple. Keep your money in your pocket and Say “NO” to rewarding retailers and companies that sell out American companies and support foreign workers.
It’s easier than you think to find American Made Back to School Supplies. Here is a short list of companies to get you started!
Backpacks | ||
Duluth Pack | DuluthPack.com | |
Trager | ShoeBuy.com | |
Tough Traveler | ToughTraveler.com | |
Lunchboxes | ||
Mimi the Sardine | ReUseIt.com | |
Laptop Lunch | GreenFeet.com | |
Pencils | ||
General Pencil | GeneralPencil.com | |
Pens/Markers | ||
Clementine Art | ClementineArt.com | |
LiquidMark | RedAppleSupply.com | |
EcoStars | RedAppleSupply.com | |
Paper/Notebooks | ||
Ampad | BuyOnlineNow.com | |
Basic brand | SaleStores.com | |
Mead (select items) | OfficeSupplySanity.com | |
New Leaf | eConsciousMarket.com | |
Computers/Accessories | ||
Union Built PC | UnionBuiltPC.com | |
Green Guru (laptop sleeve) | Greenopia.com | |
American Jeans | ||
Levis Capital E | Nordstrom.com | |
True Religion Jeans | TrueReligionJeans.com | |
Rock & Republic | RockandRepublic.com | |
Paige Premium Denim | PaigePremiumDenim.com | |
Robin’s Jean | RobinsJean.com | |
Frankie B. | FrankieB.com | |
Genetic Jeans | GeneticJeans.com | |
Hudson Jeans | HudsonJeans.com | |
Rich & Skinny | RichandSkinnyJeans.com | |
J-Brand | JBrandJeans.com | |
Earnest Sewn | EarnestSewn.com | |
Citizens of Humanity | CitizensOfHumanity.com | |
Rag & Bone | Rag-Bone.com | |
ReWash | ReWashUSA.com | |
American Socks | ||
Thorlo | Thorlo.com | |
ZKano | ZKano.com | |
Fox River Socks | FoxSox.com | |
American Shoes and Boots | ||
Alden Shoes | AldenShoes.com | |
Allen Edmonds | AllenEdmonds.com | |
New Balance (select) | NewBalance.com | |
American Clothing | ||
Hard Tail | HardTailForever.com | |
American Apparel | AmericanApparel.com | |
Basic Threads | BasicThreadsUSA.com | |
Fresh Produce | FreshProduceClothes.com | |
SOURCE Made in the USA Foundation
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Made in America Update
Our discussions with The Hillman Group and our fight to save InfoTube, InfoBox and American jobs is still ongoing. Our face-to-face meeting with senior management at Hillman is scheduled for next Wednesday, June 15th. We hope to have “Good News” to share!!!
Please continue to Sign Our Petition to Save American Jobs . We are approaching 600 signatures and the comments made by concerned Americans is powerful, enlightening and motivating.
For those of you who fear things have gone too far with China. For those who think that little people stand no chance of influencing big corporations. For those who believe that the people in power don’t listen and don’t care …I have some encouraging news for you that disproves those fears.
The Smithsonian opened its Made in America gift shop yesterday and ABC News went shopping. The US made products offered in the new store were just what you would expect to find, when looking for a souvenir to take home. They looked no different than the previous products that were purchased from the Chinese and they didn’t cost anymore, either.
A manager for the Smithsonian was so happy with the results and consumer feedback, he said the store wants more Made in the USA products to put in the store. Buyers for the Smithsonia will be attending Made in the US trade shows and they are asking US businesses to contact them about their merchandise.
If you or your company make or manufacture a product that would fit the retail niche offered at the Smithsonian gift shop, click the link below and submit your goods to their buyers. Think souveniers…T-shrits, earring, caps, hats, postcards, etc. Wouldn’t it be cool to see your products at the Smithsonian? I certainly wish I could find a reason for them to sell InfoTubes and InfoBoxes!!!
CLICK HERE TO SELL YOUR PRODUCTS TO THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net. We will keep you posted on our efforts to save American jobs and promote American business!!
Links for People Who Want to Buy Made in the USA Products
Paul Choi, a long time supporter of US workers and US jobs, wrote and posted the following article about Helping InfoTube Save Jobs in the USA.
If you are one of the millions of Americans who are fed up with Chinese tsunami that is washing away the quality of life in our country…then, Mr. Choi has a great source of helpful Links for you…located all in one place!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO FIGHT BACK AND SAVE US JOBS AND COMPANIES!!!!
Our Votes may not be powerful…but our Pocketbook and Money sure are! Refuse to pay a Chinese toll charge on everything you buy!
Thank you for helping InfoTube save American jobs. Please Share our Story!!!
Past Rotary President Responds to Hillman Outsourcing
2010 Rotary President Carol King , CPA, responds to The Hillman Group with a global view about outsourcing American jobs and products.
Hillman Group VP Dan Smercina wrote the following email reply to Ms King last week….
Ms. King,
This is to acknowledge your recent e-mail and interest in The Hillman Group. While it is our strict corporate policy to keep all supplier information confidential, I want to assure you that your message was sent to the appropriate parties within our company.
Thank you for expressing your opinion and please be assured Hillman remains committed to providing top quality products, competitive prices and ‘World-Class’ service to our valued customers.
Sincerely,
Dan Smercina
Vice President of Marketing
The Hillman Group, Inc.
Ms King’s response to Hillman and Mr Smercina
Mr. Smercina,
Thank you for responding to my email. As mentioned below, Crow-Erickson is my client so I am well informed about the details of this issue.
I hope that as you move forward, you will make a genuine effort to resolve this matter in Crow-Erickson’s favor. However, further cutting her profit margin to replace your volume manufacturing discounts or other arrangements with the China government and China vendors does not solve the problem. It only serves to keep you in the $$$ loop and give you a conversation point to share with the public about “how hard you tried”.
These are the questions that you should be addressing:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it beneficial to all concerned?
In case you do not recognize these questions, this is the 4-Way Test for every member of Rotary International – all 1.2M members, business people from 235 countries around the world. These guiding principals have led this organization for 106 years.
As Lowes and Home Depot move forward in their “Buy America” campaign, somewhere in the back of their minds they must know that it is only a matter of time before the world knows the truth.
As you are aware, a growing number of people are watching how you handle this issue. They watching to see if you, indeed, will choose to “Buy America” as well.
Carol L King, CPA
Carol L King & Associates, PA … 40 N French Broad Avenue … Asheville NC 28801… 828-258-2323. fax 828-258-9982
ABC Shines Spotlight on Your Favorite American Made Products
For those of you who are following our struggle and have ask how you can help next…
I think that continuing to send requests to ABC news (the direct link is below) would really be helpful for moving our negotiations forward and for highlighting this David and Goliath story.
My recent experiences have proven that the tide of consumer awareness is shifting in our country. The grass roots support for American business, workers and products is gaining momentum quickly and we all need to stay involved to turn our economy and future around.
I would encourage everyone to submit your favorite American made products to ABC News.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/mailform?id=13599846
I hope to see a lot of love for InfoTube and InfoBox, of course, but I know that a lot of American businesses are fighting against the outsourcing tsunami, as well. Each one of them would appreciate your support and there is no limit on the number of products you can submit.
Thank you again for all your help!!!! Without you, we wouldn’t be here today. Please mention us to ABC News…I would love to tell our story to Diane Sawyer
Tommi Crow
President, Crow Erickson, Inc.
News Radio Interview and Call from Senator Richard Burr’s Office
I was interviewed on Clear Channel News this morning about our Fight to Save our Company and American jobs from the chinese, copycat imports of InfoBox that are being brought into the US by The Hillman Group, distributors for Lowes, Home Depot and Menards.
After the radio interview, we received a call from Senator Richard Burr’s (R) office to inquire about our story. The Senator’s office is looking into the matter to determine how they can help. Thank you, Senator Burr!
Tommi Crow radio interview on Jameson show
I would like to say a BIG thank you to Jerri Jameson at WWNC News Radio 570 for having us on her show this morning.
Thanks for following our story and for your support! Please continue to sign our petition and send emails to Lowes, Home Depot and Menardsn telling them that InfoTube and InfoBox SHOULD NOT be replaced with chinese imports.
Response to Help InfoTube Save American Jobs is Phenominal
Yesterday, I shared the story of our fight to save our small, US company from obliteration with my small circle of friends, family and collegues. Our news must have hit a nerve in a number of people because the number of Facebook posts, emails and phone calls I have received in support of our situation has been nothing short of phenominal!
I have 3 Things to Report to You, so far!
First, WE ARE STILL IN BUSINESS!!! We have received a number of calls from concerned customers that we are no longer manufacturing product. I am happy to report that we are still working and don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Everyone can order product directly from our website, via fax, phone or email.
Secondly, and sadly, we have received no response from Lowes, Home Depot or The Hillman Group.
Thirdly, our fight to save the little, and in the scheme of things, perhaps insignificant, InfoBox and InfoTube has inspired and motivated so many of you. Your support has really picked up morale here and words can’t express you how much we need it and how thankful we are.
Truefully, I’m not sure whether the idea of a chinese knockoff, swinging on “For Sale” signs in front of American homes, many of which are foreclosed, touched a raw nerve…or, whether the idea of a forced layoff of hard working Americans, many disabled and handicapped, was infuriating…or, whether the picture of one of the last American made products, being washed away in a chinese tsunami was just too much to take…but, the anger and frustration that you are expressing about our retailers and their lack of support for available American products is powerful, loud and clear! WE DON’T UNDERSTAND AND WE HATE IT!
i pray that they are listening. I have proudly worked with the largest retailers in the land for nearly 20 years. My growth, as a company, I owe to them. I still believe in them. I believe that they care what their customers think and they want to deliver what we want to buy. Your voice matters, so please keep sending those heartfelt emails and Facebook posts. Eventually, our voice will reach someone in charge who cares.
Thank you for your support and for sharing our story with your friends and collegues. I will issue updates and share any information or responses I receive, so you can follow our progress. We hope every second of the day that we will have something good to report!
Where Did the First Time Buyers Go?
The lack of first-time buyers is hurting the housing market and their absense is hampering the recovery.
In normal markets, first time buyers make up 40%-45% of all home purchasers. Since January of 2011, purchases made by first time buyers averages only 32%
Why is this important for existing home sales?
First time buyers are crucial to the market because they buy starter homes so those owners can step up to a more expensive property. Despite low mortgage rates and deeply discounted prices, they are remaining on the sidelines…at least for now.
What may be keeping first time buyers out of the housing market?
Some experts point to a hangover from the Expired Tax Credit of 2009 and 201o, which may have lured buyers into a home sooner than later. Some point to tighter lending standards and increased down payment requirements. The best loan terms now kick in with a down payment of 20% or more, which may be very difficult for a first time homeowner.
The Silver Lining — The National Association of Realtors reported that a record 33% of all existing home sales in Febuary were to Cash Buyers. In some parts of the country, cash buyers accounted for more than half of all the existing homes sold.
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City by City Home Sales Results
Existing home sales were up 2.7 percent in January 2011. Take a look at the chart below to see how your area ranked.
Single-family existing-home sales and prices
Metropolitan statistical area |
Median price Jan. 2010
|
Median price Jan. 2011
|
Annual change in price
|
Annual change in sales
|
Atlanta |
105,100
|
106,900
|
1.7%
|
-6.3%
|
Baltimore |
230,000
|
218,300
|
-5.1%
|
27.0%
|
Boston |
343,700
|
334,400
|
-2.7%
|
7.2%
|
Cincinnati |
113,900
|
110,500
|
-3.0%
|
5.9%
|
Dallas-Fort Worth |
131,600
|
141,500
|
7.5%
|
-7.7%
|
Houston |
144,600
|
139,000
|
-3.9%
|
10.1%
|
Indianapolis |
103,500
|
110,700
|
7.0%
|
-3.1%
|
Kansas City |
122,200
|
117,500
|
-3.8%
|
1.3%
|
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale |
203,000
|
165,800
|
-18.3%
|
32.9%
|
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
157,000
|
140,000
|
-10.8%
|
10.4%
|
New Orleans |
152,900
|
143,200
|
-6.3%
|
23.2%
|
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island |
384,600
|
381,200
|
-0.9%
|
-5.0%
|
Philadelphia |
207,700
|
208,500
|
0.4%
|
-2.4%
|
Phoenix |
137,900
|
126,900
|
-8.0%
|
12.3%
|
Portland |
240,000
|
215,400
|
-10.3%
|
2.8%
|
San Antonio |
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
San Diego |
366,800
|
370,100
|
0.9%
|
-1.1%
|
St. Louis |
100,000
|
105,300
|
5.3%
|
3.1%
|
Washington, DC |
285,600
|
292,600
|
2.5%
|
-5.5%
|
U.S. |
163,800
|
159,400
|
-2.7%
|
3.3%
|
Source: National Association of Realtors
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Landlords Gain Ground in Rental Market
Wall Street Journal Blog Post:
Perhaps tired of doubling up with family or living in mom’s spare bedroom, renters are heading back into the market, driving down vacancies and driving up rents.
Nationwide, the vacancy rate measured 7.2% in the third quarter, down from 7.9% a year earlier-one of the sharpest declines on record, according to new data released Wednesday by Reis Inc.
“Despite lackluster economic growth and continuing uncertainty in the labor markets, households appear to be returning in droves to the rental market and signing leases,” writes Victor Calanog, Reis’ director of research. (See Apartment Market, Rents Rebound)
Landlords took the opportunity to bump up rents for the third quarter in a row. “We are getting more rent every time we either renew the lease or a new resident comes in,” Jeffrey Friedman, chief executive of apartment owner Associated Estates Realty Corp., tells Developments. The days of renter perks like free rent and flat-screen TVs are largely over, although landlords could be back in the incentive game if job growth doesn’t materialize next year.
The New York City metro area saw the biggest jump in rents, gaining 2.2% from the second quarter; to an average of $2,756–the costliest rent by far in the country. ( If you want cheap rent move to Tulsa, which ranks last of 82 markets with average rent of $540.)
Greenville, S.C., and suburban Virginia also saw rental gains topping 2%. Not surprisingly, rents continued to decline in some of the markets hardest hit by the housing crash. The usual suspects–Miami, Jacksonville, Fla., and Las Vegas–each dipped 0.2%.
When measuring vacancy, the nation’s tightest market is New Haven, Conn., with just 2.3% of units empty, thanks to those college kids. New York follows with 3.6%, while Long Island’s vacancy rate is 3.9%.
Jacksonville tops the list at 12.1%.
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Up to 1,000,000 Homeowners Dodge Foreclosure
An estimated one million U.S. homeowners, behind in their mortgage payments, are breathing easier today after three of the country’s largest banks agreed to immediately stop new foreclosure actions until they could review sloppily-read foreclosure filing by their own staffs.
The lenders are Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and GMAC Mortgage Co. owned by Ally Financial Inc. They are temporarily halting foreclosure actions in 23 states.
They are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin.
For the homeowners, the action by the banks gives them a little more time to catch up on their delinquent mortgage payments.
For the residential real estate market, the action means fewer houses will be dumped in the for-sale arena, giving falling prices a chance to stabilize.
For the real estate market as a whole, the banks’ actions give the industry another black eye at a time when it is struggling to regain the public’s confidence.
(This article posted by Alex Finklestein
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Tips for New Landlords
Given the millions of homes that are languishing on the market, it’s no surprise that many owners are considering leasing their homes in order to avoid big financial losses. If you are an owner that is debating the pro’s and con’s of leasing your property, we have some very valuable advice to share with you.
Leasing out your home can be a great experience. A good tenant will care for your property, while paying your mortgage. Owning investment property also has tax benefits, and while the home selling market maybe soft…the present rental market is stronger than ever.
TIPS FOR A NEW LANDLORD!
- Don’t be afraid of bad credit. References are as important as a credit report. In addition, many renters who lost their homes have gotten rid of their biggest expense…their mortgage. So, if their references check out and they have good jobs, don’t let a bad credit report scare you.
- Ask the tenant to provide a current copy of their credit report, references and their last paycheck stub.
- Call the renter”s employer to verify that they are still working there.
- Consider hiring a private investigator for less than $50. They can immediately find out whether the tenant is a scammer or not.
- Check you local laws to see if you have to have a permit to rent out your house.
- If you are using a standard lease agreement, ask your lawyer to look it over and avoid potential surprises.
- Build in convenience for yourself. Requests wire transfers and automatic deposits for monthly rent payments.
- Craigslist and InfoTube.net are fantastic places to advertise your rental. Best of all, both sites are Free and allow pictures.
Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net, your FREE homes for sale and rent listing website. Please check back in with us tomorrow when continue our blog with Property Management Tips for Homeowners.