The Best Products NOT Made in China | notochina.org

This is an example of a toy that was invented by Ralph R. Maerz and Judy A. Maerz from Alberta, Canada. Even though they hold a patent on it, their design has been copied and is now being mass produced by hundreds of China manufacturers selling directly to the consumer. This is probably in part thanks to a company called Just Play, who buys up a lot of intellectual property and has them mass produced in China. Once the contract ends, China manufacturers don't obediently shut down their factories—they make up fake brand names and sell directly on Amazon.

To make sure you have the best quality, look for one by Paricon, although unfortunately it looks like they may be forced to go to China soon too. At least for now, you can find made-in-USA product listings at Amazon or at Land's End.

It's a shame that all this does is stifle innovation. No inventor wants to invent something and then within 30 years see their life's work copied by China manufacturers, aided and abetted by US retailers.

Steve, you make me sad with these examples.
What a world, stop buying Chinese crap.

Yeah, the one with the drain cleaning snake was especially heartbreaking. Adam Smith himself said that fee market capitalism only "works" when the participants behave under a basic set of moral principles. Between greedy Western companies and the Chinese Communist Party, there is sadly an utter lack of any decency.