Product purchasing decisions based on manufacturer’s proximity

A huge amount of what’s in your house is from China.

I recently was in the market for a preamp with DSP. Front-runners were the DSPeaker X4 and the Anthem STR. It was easier to audition the Anthem (local dealer), and I do like that it's designed, made, and supported in North America. So I auditioned it first -- and liked it enough so that I never did try the DSPeaker. So origin turned out to be of some importance to me.

On the other hand, I have Canadian, Chinese, German, and American components in my main system; Canadian (Chinese made), American (Thai made), and English in my second system.

Bought Symdex speakers once because they where close enough that I could demo them with the builder.

A brand's reputation is more important to me than origin of manufacture.  All thing being equal, I will always choose a domestic product over foreign.

if at all possible I try to buy locally, maybe even if the thing is NOT the identical thing I'm seeking, maybe but a likewise item, just different brand.

buying from Brick and mortar shops is nice indeed, but those I've encountered locally in past years, seem to believe the web and its buying options are myths or don't exist at all and as such act as though they have no competition what so ever.

I've bought a good number of things completely in the blind, and likely will again without respect to lcale. However....

I have never given much creedence to location as the tipping point for any purchase. this is of course given I choose about 95% of the time to buy 'on shore' at least.

location gets to be the deal maker or breaker, depending.

its not the primary aspect of the chase.

although this does come into play when likewise goods, same brand and model are available locally or in the listings.


if all else is on balance, location clinches the deal pretty often for me.y, it usualy doesn't work out quite that way very often though.