Looking for Purse/Handbag/Tote Company Info Please:

[alongcamepolly]

I've never had a problem meeting any quota with Miche, however their quota is very low now.
You can contact me via email or via my website if you have any questions....see signature line

[jcblueyes]

I was considering Thirty One gifts, but have been reading many negative online reviews about the quality and customer service and the fact that the bags are made in China.

Has anyone had experience with their products?

Jen

[liz.jewels]

Danielle, please read your PMs.

[vassallo]

you can search on google

[Leanne McGarr]

Originally Posted by jcblueyes

I was considering Thirty One gifts, but have been reading many negative online reviews about the quality and customer service and the fact that the bags are made in China.

Has anyone had experience with their products?

Jen

Yes, our bags are made in China. THere are a couple more things you should know.

Our factory that makes the products in China is owned by a Chinese woman and employes many Chinese women. This is fairly rare

We have created over 2,000 jobs here in America. It is made in China but it has to be received, sorted, be reviewed for quality, embroidered and shipped. These are good jobs with benefits.

Just for our Conference alone, we added 8 million dollars to Ohio economy from our Conference. That was with 8000 of us at Conference. This year it will be in Atlanta GA and there are already over $15,000 of us registered. That is another great boon to our economy.

I personally made over $20,000 in commissions last year from having a 31 business. This was my first year in business with them. I do not think that I would have sold as much or been as successful if the product prices were higher. And they would be 3 times as high if the products were made in America. Without that $20k in commissions, I would not have been able to purchase or save or anything because my husband was laid off from work. He was laid off not because of things beingmade in China. But because the government instituted some new EPA guidelines. When they change the guidelines, they allow a one year commentary period before they make them official. So it wasn't China that took my husbands job. But luckily, because of China, I was able to make money. This is such a complex issue, I think the people who worry about it are not that knowledgeable about how supply and demand actually work. They are just repeating what someone has told them is important. When Bill Clinton passed NAFTA and all of the other Trade Agreements, the ship sailed on American manufacturing for the most part. I do think those were mistakes but they are here now and I get tired of people berating my product because they chose to stick their head in the sand when they could have done something about it. So off my soapbox there

As far as quality, I would put ours up against any other quality. All of the major purse and bag companies have their products made in China. I have had very few returns in my year and a half with 31. I use my products alot and have had some since 2008 that I am still using that are in pristine condition. Our company is absolutely second to none in how they handle returns. I have had them honor a return that was over a year old even though it was well past the warranty. . They want their customers to be happy. There are defect issues on occasion but they are johnny on the spot with taking care of them when they do happen.

I have been in Direct Sales for almost 10 years now and I have never been with a company that I had as much faith and trust and belief that I do with 31.

HTH!
Leanne

[madisonbags33]

Originally Posted by Leanne McGarr

This is such a complex issue, I think the people who worry about it are not that knowledgeable about how supply and demand actually work. They are just repeating what someone has told them is important. When Bill Clinton passed NAFTA and all of the other Trade Agreements, the ship sailed on American manufacturing for the most part. I do think those were mistakes but they are here now and I get tired of people berating my product because they chose to stick their head in the sand when they could have done something about it.

Well, I have to respectfully disagree with your viewpoint completely Leanne and I'll be honest, I'm slightly offended that you would suggest those of us who "worry" about the decline of American manufacturing are just ignorant to the laws of supply and demand. As someone who consults for a company that makes products here in the US, I know that our consultants can also earn the same income that you currently are and we also stimulate the economy in many of the ways you listed above and that's wonderful, for both our companies. But you yourself said that your bags are cheaper because their made in China. Why do you think that is? For starters, workers in China have no regulated wages and just because they employ women does not mean they are treated fairly or given a decent wage. Americans have fought long and hard for workers rights, (safe workplaces, decent wages, child labor laws, etc) and you're right, some of those actions have cost us financially with higher prices of goods but I would much rather spend an additional 10 dollars and patronize a business that I know is treating their workers right.

I could also go on about the environmental "cost" of buying products made in China, but it's getting late and I'd rather not bore people!

[Leanne McGarr]

I did not intend to offend. Sorry. I think the great thing about America is that we can have differing viewpoints

For me, $10 more would be important. I never tire of hearing my customers talk about how reasonable our prices are. 60% of what we sell is $30 or less so $10 more would be a 30% price increase. I get many reorders from many customers wanting gifts for showers and graduations because we have a versatile product and at a low price. For me, that is key to my business and making money for my family.

My husband is part of a Union actually and though I do think Unions were necessary at one time and important for change, I think they now just drive the price of labor up and in the end, have cost their members their jobs. Two years ago, because of goverment regulations, his employer laid off 75% of their workforce. Those jobs didn't go to China or anywhere else. They disappeared because of government regulations of industrial boilers. The Union could do and did do nothing about the layoffs. What could they say? You are required to keep these people on? The car companies that needed a bail out had Union labor and there is a reason they weren't making money. Things are looking up at their plant now. And my hubby was called back Thankfully. But the majority of those jobs will never be regained at that plant. However, we now have a new Toyota Plant and a Nissan Plant here in our state of MS that has created great jobs for our area. They aren't Union plants yet they are being paid a nice wage with benefits.

As far as the working conditions, we have seen footage from our plants in China and quite frankly, I would work there. They are clean, climate controlled and and the people that work there don't look like they are working in a sweat shop. I have COMPLETE faith that Thirty One would never work with an manufacturer that did not provide a good working condition. As far as no wage minimums, a minimum wage there sounds like peanuts to us, but for them is a miracle. All the minimum wage has done in this country, is drive the price of the goods up. For me, when the goverment gets involved with trade and regulation, we all lose. The free market works, they need to stay out of it.

JMO
Leanne

[TeacherMama]

I agree with Madisonbags33.

And I'm glad we have a minimum wage here, otherwise we'd all be making what the people in China are making and it is NOT enough to survive on.

I support American made and will always choose an American made item over something produced in China.

[madisonbags33]

Well, in terms of politics, we could discuss that forever. If it was as simple and easy as you make it out to be, everyone would be in agreement about what's best for our country. The truth is it's always complex and ever changing.

What I want people to understand is that it doesn't have to be one or the other (make money or manufacture domestically). I also have a very successful business with repeat customers and hostesses. Some of my hostesses host every 3 months because they LOVE our products and the new bags we come out with. They love the experience of designing a handbag and most importantly, they love the quality of our bags. So maybe you're right in that your customers would not want to spend $10 more for your handbags, but I know my customers would because to them, it's worth it.

[liz.jewels]

How long has Madison handbags been around? How do their sales compare to a company like 31?

I ask because many companies start off as US-based manufacturers and eventually grow large enough that it makes financial sense to consider overseas manufacturing plants.

It's also unfair to assume all Chinese manufacturers have poor labor practices. Some companies are focused on fair trade, paying a living wage, and ensuring safe labor practices. The fact that some US companies employ workers helps raise the standards for other companies in the same region.

You may disagree with what the laws of economics say about supply and demand, but it is much more complex than a single-minded "buy USA" philosophy allows. I deal with economics every day in my day job so I'm familiar with both the theory and application.