Comments on: CAFTA

By: Fair is fair: Blaming China?

Fair is fair: Blaming China? — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:18:02 +0000

[...] another reason this post from NTA annoys me. NTA has its own problems and misplaced priorities. Being a horrible, heartless, callous person, I’m having a hard time stirring up any sympathy [...]

By: Irv

Irv — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:08:52 +0000

Josh,
I think one single dollar means more to some in Asia. Attitude is part of it as well. Small tasks you ask of Asian producers are gladly accepted, and they don’t surcharge you at every turn for seemingly mundane chores.
We purchase cloth from all over the world and do try to support US mills as much as we can. You would think that proximity would help in shortening the supply chain. Well guess what. In many cases, Asian sources totally outperform US and CDN sources in every aspect.
I purchased $800.00 worth of sample yardage yesterday from a mill in Massachusetts. I asked if I could have them split a 50 yd roll to accomodate one last color. Sure, for an additional $50.00 cutting fee.
You see my point. Piss poor attitude, and total lack of customer service really makes you wonder.
Is anyone on this continent hungry anymore?

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 21:47:43 +0000

Since I’ve revisited this post I have a question. Why is it that Thailand can supply small mins but the US has trouble doing the same? Is it just that asia is more lean friendly? Help me understand that.

By: Fashion-Incubator

Fashion-Incubator — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 22:50:36 +0000

Ironies of fabric sourcing

I often talk to Kathleen about my woes of being a DE and starting off small. One of the biggest problems I have is sourcing fabric at small minimums, meaning 100 yards or less per fabric. Many of you know…

By: Jinjer Markley

Jinjer Markley — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 05:34:22 +0000

On american mills that are friendly to small businesses: I highly, highly recommend Britannia Mills in New York. They have great knitted fabrics, althogh their colors are limited, and their minimums are reasonable. Plus, they always treated me like a respectable human being. http://www.britanniamills.net/Introduction_to_Britannia.htm

By: J

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 07:26:08 +0000

“…National Textile Association. The latter by the way, is busily lobbying congress on your behalf in an effort to defeat CAFTA or the Central American Free Trade Act which only affects textile producers.”

I think you were being rather tongue in cheek in this statement as well as staying on topic, but CAFTA would really affect a lot more, including availability of over the counter and prescription drugs and the availability to purchase things like vitamins without approval of the product by the larger US pharmecutical companies.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 05:44:33 +0000

It has always been in my plans to own a fabric mill one day. If I can ever get my clothing started and making money I plan on it. Although you got me pretty down with the reality of how hard it is to get fabric.

Why can’t we start some sort of Union that deals with this sort of thing? We all come together and try and forcefully educate these mills. Make something happen. I’m ready to work for the cause and make something happen. You got me fired up Kathleen. This is something I’m extremely passionate about. It fustrates me to no end that the fabric is so hard to get to. Think of the DE’s that feel the same way. We have to unite and show that we mean business and we are not gonna take it.

By: Eric H

Eric H — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 02:21:03 +0000

I’m glad we both agree on both means and ends on this (in case anyone cares, we normally agree on ends but not always on means). I think this actually opens rather than closes the door for smart DEs and especially the suppliers who start to focus on them. Now all we need is for a few suppliers to learn about the internet, buy computers, and find this blog (and the companion forum).