Would You Do Business If This Is All You Knew

[MikeBjerum]

Would you do business with a company that offers high quality products for a price comparable to similar lower quality products run by a founder and CEO that will put this statement on their literature:

"Today, America needs fresh leadership to lead us as a nation out of this economic crisis. Leadership must come not only from our political leaders but also from the average citizen. The exporting of American jobs is a trend that must be stopped and reversed. When I walk into my local hardware store, I typically find 85% of the goods for sale are manufactured 7,000 miles away. Recognizable American brands have been forced by shortsighted management and buyers at large national chains to build factories overseas just to save a lousy $.50 on a tape measure. To these ruthless buyers, it is all about the money. Rarely are product quality, the political system, human rights, animal rights and environmental costs to the planet considered, not to mention the cost to our society of exporting not only jobs, but an entire factory! At WeatherTech, we are doing our part for the American economy and for our 300 million fellow citizens and neighbors. My philosophy is that if my neighbor doesn?t have a job, sooner or later I won?t have a job either."

I knew quite a bit about WeatherTech years ago but have learned more about them recently, because they are only a couple miles from where we live.  We use several of their products in our company vans, and they are the best I have ever used.

[Pathfinder]

The CEO seems to be all over the map in that statement. i am with him on the whole quality and US-made thing. But, the allusions to "political systems, human rights, animal rights and environmental costs tot he planet" kinda give the game away as to where he actually stands.

This statement is little more than corporate "virtue signaling" - use your discretion as to whether or not you should buy his stuff.

[MikeBjerum]

He is a conservative guy.  His point with rights and ecology are based on the sell out the left does in hamstringing domestic companies while rewarding those that don't face our regulation.

How do you market to Gen X and Millennials?  You appeal to their sense of Utopia and unicorns.  Urbanites, you go the green route.  He is building huge new buildings all over here.  When building new, why not spend the money for efficiency when it is cheapest, and if you can market it as "green" all the better.  He is making millions on high end stainless, pure stainless steel, pet dishes.  He can pay to put waste in the landfill, or he can send, sell, it back to his supplier to have it recycled and sent back to him.  And, he can market it as "green."

We have four identical vans that are used identical.  Two have cheap generic mats, and two have WeatherTech.  We stayed with the cheap in the two as a test, and the WeatherTech has proven the bargain as they continue to live while the others wear out.

My point when I started this is that this is a company that is large enough to move anywhere in the world.  They could do whatever they wished to cut costs and compromise.  But, he has stayed domestic, in one of the most expensive labor regions and states to do business in.

What I like is that he is not only providing a superior product, but he is doing it while supporting our economy with every dollar, paying his local taxes, employing legal residents*, and donating to local needs, as well as other organizations in the bigger picture.

*He has a billboard at one of the plants on I55.  They often post they are hiring.  I have seen it state that you need to bring proof of legal status, and my favorite "This may be a sanctuary city, but this isn't a sanctuary company."

[billt]

Weather Tech makes good products. With that said I fail to see where car floor mats are manufactured, is having anything to do with, "animal rights" or the "environment"??

This guy is in much the same category as many of these Hollywood types. He's using his elevated corporate / social position as a microphone and political soapbox. He just parallels a somewhat more conservative approach doing it.

[TAB]

The sad reality is people want cheap, not  quality

It's like the old say ing when it comes to motors.  Cheap, fast , good.  Pick 2.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Weather Tech makes good products. With that said I fail to see where car floor mats are manufactured, is having anything to do with, "animal rights" or the "environment"??

This guy is in much the same category as many of these Hollywood types. He's using his elevated corporate / social position as a microphone and political soapbox. He just parallels a somewhat more conservative approach doing it.

They manufacture far more than automotive accessories.  Their pet dishes are a large line, as is their shop that produces products for others.

Bill, did you read his point on the environment?  It is that they choose to stay here and play by the rules and laws, rather than outsource to areas that don't play by the rules to save a small percentage.

My point in posting this is that this is a privately held, family owned company, that does not outsource overseas, produces quality to fund the higher costs of operating here, and supports people by giving them an opportunity to earn a living wage.

[billt]

They will have the market for only as long as people are willing to pay. Using myself as an example. I purchased both their floor mats, (front and rear), as well as their cargo carrier mats, (trunk liners), for both my new Jeep and my new Toyota. They were very expensive.

They fit well, and do what they are supposed to. With that said, I intend to keep both cars for a very long time. If I was the type who traded in every 4 or 5 years, I doubt I would have bought them.

Point being, in the future if the economy sags, more people will buy something cheaper. He may then be forced to move production elsewhere. Sometimes it's not your choice. It's based on economic survival. Not on how "green" you choose to be when business is good, and the cash is tumbling in.

[Rastus]

There is no doubt a hefty markup over actual cost.  If the economy sags then I bet they'll drop their prices.

But...maybe not.

[Timothy]

I have them in my vehicle and yeah, they were about $200.  When I priced the factory "premium" mats from Ford, they were even more expensive than that.

I've had them now for over five years and my only regret is I didn't go with plain black.  I bought the light grey and they've stained terribly from years of New England slop!

As to the "environmental issue", I see no problem.  It's OK to be environmentally conscious so long as it's not too extreme.  After all, some or most of us, are hunters so conservation is something that's important.

[Rastus]

Timothy I thought at once that comparing them to the manufacturer's costs is not a good comparison because, of course, the manufacturer's prices on items is always ridiculous.  Which led me to, duh, they are pricing themselves just under manufacturer's prices because they have a superior product and that is their niche'....comparison to manufacturer with a better product at a better, albeit, high price.  On that basis their pricing makes sense.  They are not competing with the aftermarket products they are competing with OEM products.  Hmmm....