I went to Country Club today to look at golf clubs. It's been 40 years since I've purchased a new set and thought I might spoil myself. I was very disappointed to see that a new set of irons cost $700 to $1000 or more but are still made in China or Mexico, or Bangladesh, etc. Why can we not make 8 golf clubs in the USA, sell them for $1000, and make a fair profit while employing Americans? My opinion is there is too much unearned income in our economy therefore goods have to be manufactured China to sustain status quo. I would very much like to see a cost and profit line on a set of $1000 irons.

Only information I found was Ping is American made. Some others are assembled in America. Just doesn't seem right, does it?

Originally Posted by Guest

Only information I found was Ping is American made. Some others are assembled in America. Just doesn't seem right, does it?

I think they call that Fair Trade.....

I call it American Job Killers.

But as long as we keep shopping at Walmart, K-Mart and the Dollar store nothing will happen.

Originally Posted by Guest

I think they call that Fair Trade.....

I call it American Job Killers.

But as long as we keep shopping at Walmart, K-Mart and the Dollar store nothing will happen.

I saw on the news a couple of nights ago that consumers would rather buy a cheaper product from overseas than a more expensive one made in America.

Makes sense.

Originally Posted by Guest

I went to Country Club today to look at golf clubs. It's been 40 years since I've purchased a new set and thought I might spoil myself. I was very disappointed to see that a new set of irons cost $700 to $1000 or more but are still made in China or Mexico, or Bangladesh, etc. Why can we not make 8 golf clubs in the USA, sell them for $1000, and make a fair profit while employing Americans? My opinion is there is too much unearned income in our economy therefore goods have to be manufactured China to sustain status quo. I would very much like to see a cost and profit line on a set of $1000 irons.

The profit is obscene. Jobs went overseas because Americans priced themselves out of the market and EEO laws forced them to carry too much dead weight. First the jobs went away and now we're being invaded by foreigners.

As of 2015, there are more minority children registering for school than white children? There's a new baby boom coming and it's looking 3rd world. The NWO levels the playing field, we will continue our slide. We were once at the top, now, we're in the middle...and falling lower. Our standards are being lowered to 3rd world standards. Soon we all WILL be "equal". We peaked in the 50s, besides technology, we've been falling ever since.

Originally Posted by Guest

The profit is obscene. Jobs went overseas because Americans priced themselves out of the market and EEO laws forced them to carry too much dead weight. First the jobs went away and now we're being invaded by foreigners.

As of 2015, there are more minority children registering for school than white children? There's a new baby boom coming and it's looking 3rd world. The NWO levels the playing field, we will continue our slide. We were once at the top, now, we're in the middle...and falling lower. Our standards are being lowered to 3rd world standards. Soon we all WILL be "equal". We peaked in the 50s, besides technology, we've been falling ever since.

The above is the fact of the matter scenario that the majority is either completely ignorant or completely apathetic about.
I prefer to call it for more reasons than one, "the darkening of America".
No insult intended just the plain simple fact of the matter.

The American lifestyle we all grew up with and love is in it's last years.
The generations coming after us will never ever see or feel the greatness that once was the real America.

We the people have allowed and continue to allow politicians who are out of control to do this to America.
And it has most likely progressed to a point where it cannot be reversed.

So all we can hope for is the rule of the haves will continue to be able to rule the have nots....like the terminology or not.

Originally Posted by Guest

The above is the fact of the matter scenario that the majority is either completely ignorant or completely apathetic about.
I prefer to call it for more reasons than one, "the darkening of America".
No insult intended just the plain simple fact of the matter.

The American lifestyle we all grew up with and love is in it's last years.
The generations coming after us will never ever see or feel the greatness that once was the real America.

We the people have allowed and continue to allow politicians who are out of control to do this to America.
And it has most likely progressed to a point where it cannot be reversed.

So all we can hope for is the rule of the haves will continue to be able to rule the have nots....like the terminology or not.

Yup, O hastened our destruction. Equality, diversity, all they really mean is dilution.

The politicians (through gay blackmail) allowed gays to pretty much run free. They brought "us" down to prop up dysfunctional minorities.

No, it cannot be reversed, especially with the "dark" population boom. You think it's bad now with press one for english. Ha! Just wait until you see what's in store for us. You think there's a lot of spanish TV and radio now? Ha! Just wait.

We screwed the Mexicans out of the SW states, well they got the last laugh. They're going to take the whole country. The Hispanic population numbers are vastly under reported.

Stop with the racist talk and Obama being the fault of all evil.

The problem is that foreign countries like China, Bangladesh, Mexico, El Salvador pay their laborers (often children) just pennies per hour and in the USA we pay at least $7.50 per hour. Of course things cost more here.

If a set of irons costs $700 and made in Bangladesh - just think what the cost would be if the manufacturer had to pay the workers $20 per hour. Would you be willing to pay $5000 for irons?

If You Purchased Golf Equipment Recently Then Most Likely You Already Paid the Golf Tax

Actual Cost Of A Golf Club

Why should the federal gov interfere with profit? Seriously, why should a gov make a decision as to whether or not you "deserve" profit?

If you prefer American made goods, then sacrifice and pay more for American made products. That is your prerogative. I own a Harley Davidson for several reasons, two of which are it's American made, and it has a better resale value than most foreign made products. Is it a better product? Well, in the 70's when I had a Honda, HD was not a better quality product. HD is more expensive than most foreign made motorcycles, but they all get you from one place to another.

I own a Ford. Supposedly, an American made vehicle....supposedly. The parts are cheaper and the repair is cheaper than many foreign made vehicles. Is it a better car?

I shop at Walmart on many occasions. Why? Because I don't like to shop and they have a wide variety of products. Walmart allows the lower range earners to live at a better level lifestyle by providing products that cost less so that you can have that big TV, or those stylish clothes that middle class or higher have. Our lower income folks live a better lifestyle or equivalent lifestyle as middle class in other countries. Our poverty level is high compared to poverty level in other countries. Other countries' poverty level do not have multiple TV's, high speed internet, or even air conditioning.

My point is that, we have foreign made (cheaper) products in our country and because of these products, our folks that have a lower income level can live a nice lifestyle. If you want to pay more for American made products, then do it. If you can't afford those products, then purchase a cheaper equivalent product made in another country. Why in the world would anyone wish to make life harder for people by taking the mid level lifestyle away from a large group of our population? Places like Walmart and big box stores provide a valuable service. They enable lower earners to live a comfortable lifestyle that many would otherwise not be able to afford.

Sorry, if I am not concerned about someone paying and complaining about paying $1000 for a set of golf clubs. I hardly play golf so my garage sale $23 full set of clubs are fine. On the other hand, paying $95 for a Pickleball paddle is also nice. I could make do with a $35 paddle, but I can afford the higher priced paddle.

It is quite easy for those of us that CAN afford the higher priced goods, to complain about lower priced goods that make it possible for those that are on a budgeted income to live at a higher, more comfortable lifestyle.

Does anyone ever consider the fact that lower priced products attribute to a higher volume of consumption, which in turn increases the need for employment?

Another complaint is about Wall St, which I find ironic. We have Occupy Wall Street miscreants and socialists complaining about stock market profits, and yet they forget about how those profits affect retirement pensions, 401Ks, etc. But, that is another subject.

Originally Posted by Guest

Stop with the racist talk and Obama being the fault of all evil.

The problem is that foreign countries like China, Bangladesh, Mexico, El Salvador pay their laborers (often children) just pennies per hour and in the USA we pay at least $7.50 per hour. Of course things cost more here.

If a set of irons costs $700 and made in Bangladesh - just think what the cost would be if the manufacturer had to pay the workers $20 per hour. Would you be willing to pay $5000 for irons?

Ah...it's all profit. It costs them $50 tops to actually make the set of irons.

The biggest expense...is...drum roll...ENDORSEMENTS!!! Paying athletes millions to say they like it.

For those who are hurting for food and shelter because of the high costs....just try to eat your imports and see if that helps.

Start with the car in the garage.

Originally Posted by Guest

Why should the federal gov interfere with profit? Seriously, why should a gov make a decision as to whether or not you "deserve" profit?

If you prefer American made goods, then sacrifice and pay more for American made products. That is your prerogative. I own a Harley Davidson for several reasons, two of which are it's American made, and it has a better resale value than most foreign made products. Is it a better product? Well, in the 70's when I had a Honda, HD was not a better quality product. HD is more expensive than most foreign made motorcycles, but they all get you from one place to another.

I own a Ford. Supposedly, an American made vehicle....supposedly. The parts are cheaper and the repair is cheaper than many foreign made vehicles. Is it a better car?

I shop at Walmart on many occasions. Why? Because I don't like to shop and they have a wide variety of products. Walmart allows the lower range earners to live at a better level lifestyle by providing products that cost less so that you can have that big TV, or those stylish clothes that middle class or higher have. Our lower income folks live a better lifestyle or equivalent lifestyle as middle class in other countries. Our poverty level is high compared to poverty level in other countries. Other countries' poverty level do not have multiple TV's, high speed internet, or even air conditioning.

My point is that, we have foreign made (cheaper) products in our country and because of these products, our folks that have a lower income level can live a nice lifestyle. If you want to pay more for American made products, then do it. If you can't afford those products, then purchase a cheaper equivalent product made in another country. Why in the world would anyone wish to make life harder for people by taking the mid level lifestyle away from a large group of our population? Places like Walmart and big box stores provide a valuable service. They enable lower earners to live a comfortable lifestyle that many would otherwise not be able to afford.

Sorry, if I am not concerned about someone paying and complaining about paying $1000 for a set of golf clubs. I hardly play golf so my garage sale $23 full set of clubs are fine. On the other hand, paying $95 for a Pickleball paddle is also nice. I could make do with a $35 paddle, but I can afford the higher priced paddle.

It is quite easy for those of us that CAN afford the higher priced goods, to complain about lower priced goods that make it possible for those that are on a budgeted income to live at a higher, more comfortable lifestyle.

Does anyone ever consider the fact that lower priced products attribute to a higher volume of consumption, which in turn increases the need for employment?

Another complaint is about Wall St, which I find ironic. We have Occupy Wall Street miscreants and socialists complaining about stock market profits, and yet they forget about how those profits affect retirement pensions, 401Ks, etc. But, that is another subject.

You missed the point of my post, I made it poorly or it went over your head. I for one do not believe our economy can continue without a base in manufacturing. I understand profit but was questioning the amount of unearned income to earned income ( earned income defined as adding valve to a product or raw material ). Should we be rewarding investors with low capital gains taxes when products are foreign made. Somewhere in the value added and profit chain there is a serious uncoupling. Again I ask why can I cannot buy 8 quality golf clubs for $1000 that are made in the USA. Is this the capitalism we say made this country great? It may have worked when we were the only game in town but I for one believe adjustment are needed and very quickly. The lowering taxes and increasing our deficiet will not work in world economy. I believe even Ping clubs are foreign made now but "assembled in USA". Please let me know if that is incorrect.

1. Titanium Driver = $27-$65 (Depends on type of titanium and processes {ex: Welds, Forging, Paint, etc}
2. Iron Sets = $40-$95 (Depends on type of materials and processes ex: Cast or Forged)
3. Hybrids = $6-$9
4. Wedges = $4.50-$8 (The popular CNC milled face wedges are only around $10 to produce!)
5. Putters = $7-$65 (Varies widely because Cast vs. Milled cost differences.
6. Graphite Shafts = $6-$13 (The Popular Nano Technology only adds about $7)

from Actual Cost Of A Golf Club

Did you ever put together an iron? You glue on the head and slide on the grip.

Originally Posted by Guest

1. Titanium Driver = $27-$65 (Depends on type of titanium and processes {ex: Welds, Forging, Paint, etc}
2. Iron Sets = $40-$95 (Depends on type of materials and processes ex: Cast or Forged)
3. Hybrids = $6-$9
4. Wedges = $4.50-$8 (The popular CNC milled face wedges are only around $10 to produce!)
5. Putters = $7-$65 (Varies widely because Cast vs. Milled cost differences.
6. Graphite Shafts = $6-$13 (The Popular Nano Technology only adds about $7)

from Actual Cost Of A Golf Club

Did you ever put together an iron? You glue on the head and slide on the grip.

Thank you for that article, it goes a long way towards answering my question. I hope all those endorsements add a lot to tax revenue and not loopholes.