So, I've decided that there's no point in reading the labels of where things are made and making your purchasing decisions based upon what you read. The labels don't have to tell the truth. Evidently.
EVIDENCE ONE:
Indonesia is one of the largest exporters of textiles. 'didn't know that; did you?
So, after sampling some of what they have, I would agree that they produce lovely work. 'didn't know that; did you?
Most of the really great stuff comes from the island of Surabaya. The factories are mainly in that area and in Jakarta.
I had a couch made here at a local shop. (It just got delivered last week and I LOVE it! Custom made to fit Jim! About 1/4 to 1/6 the price of what it would have been in the U.S. and with dense Kalimantan teak, too!) They used great fabric that was made in Surabaya. I'm ordering some chairs with fabulous fabric from a factory in Jakarta. Oddly enough, the sample book for the fabric for the chairs says "Made in Italy."
The manager of the fabulous furniture shop said that the owner, an expat from Australia, said that when she was on a recent buying trip in England she noticed some very pricey fabrics in an upholstery shop and they all said "Made in England." She knew right away what factory in Surabaya they all came from; she knows their work very well. Price comparison? The "English" fabric had obscene mark ups!
I told the store manager that if the fabric samples said "Made in Indonesia" people would begin to appreciate the work of the Indonesians. He just politely laughed and said, "But Missus, then the price would be very small and the foreign companies not like that!"
EVIDENCE TWO:
In the same shop, on our first visit there in June, I bought a tea pot and some tea cups. (Shocking, I know!) Total price for the set of 6 cups and saucers and 1 small tea pot: under $30! Beautiful white bone china. The china is made by an Indonesian company -- St. James. Lovely stuff.
I was telling the manager how much I admired their designs and he said, with a mix of pride and frustration, "The factory is in Jakarta. You might know some of the other labels they produce. They make Royal Doulton and Gien."
"In the same factory?"
"Yes, Missus. And their sales representative just told me that soon they are going to put Indonesia only on the St. James' pieces they keep in Indonesia. The rest that used to say 'St. James, Indonesia' will say 'St. James, Made in the U.S.A.'"
Grrrrr!
And where do you think they say the Royal Doulton and Gien pieces are made? Yep, England and France, respectively!
I've been toying with the idea of reporting this to someone like CNN but I'd hate to put all of the employees out of business if the prices dropped with a "Made in Indonesia" label.
Quite the dilemma!
If only we could all shop directly from the source -- the prices would be better and we'd all know the truth! By the way, 90% of the world's rattan (pronounced "rah-tahn") comes from Indonesia and 80% of that comes from this island. Gorgeous stuff, here! We had a patio table and chairs made from a cute little family run place along the roadside -- custom fit for Jim, even, and for a great price! Though I'm frustrated by the whole global market thing, I'm grateful for this opportunity to get some great, quality deals!
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6 comments:
I would say leave it be, the label thing - the industries must prefer to have the work rather than the recognition for it being theirs. Our meat processing business us the same way, we produce products the distributors want and they can put their label on it rather than ours if they prefer that. Its all about creating a known and recognized name or image for a product. We don't mind if our label is on it, since we don't sell directly to the public, we sell to distributors, they get what they want and we still have jobs.
Sharon,
Your subject of truth in labeling has really dug in, I can't quit thinking about it. (see, you're still being a teacher aren't you?).
It got me wondering why England and France don't charge for the use of their "image" to sell something not really made in their countries. If they started charging for that and it started eating into the profits, that might make the distributors put their marketing people to work to create a better image for something that said "made in Balikpapan" or something like that. ??? What do you think?
Mmmm, Linda, I'm thinking that you're on to something. The problem is ... they all seem happy with the current system. Somehow foreign companies have gotten the producers, here, to meet the image standards without paying. Maybe fear of business loss? Southeast Asia is a very fear-based culture. And they live in such poverty that they probably think they're doing well with their current pay arrangements.
I'll talk more with my new friend, Ichank, the manager of the furniture store. Here he is, totally responsible for two furniture shops (the main one and a little branch shop) and the workshop while the owners are rarely in town. He speaks many languages -- I've heard him speak Bahasa Indonesian, English, and French. He's articulate, can design furniture (I've seen his drawings and they're very professional), ... and I bet he lives very simply and owns very little furniture, himself!
I'll keep you posted ... if you have more ideas, let me know!
I say, no more lieing. If it is made in Indonesia, then the product should clearly state that.
Let the consequences be what the consequences will be.
wow- this is crazy!!! And on a lighter note- I want to see the furniture! Sounds great!
okay ... I'll post photos soon.
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