Comments on: Alternative Apparel Not Very Alternative, Really

By: Peace and Cotton

Peace and Cotton — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:00:45 +0000

Absolutely correct about Alternative Apparel. This is very common in the Apparel Industry where brands use special “tag lines” and sales tactics to mirror their unethical qualities or at very best their cynical moderation. Something to add to this is your comment about American Apparel being ethical. It’s not! And not because of their racy marketing and poor longterm retail lease decisions. They’re unethical because their clothing is not made in the USA. The panels and materials are shipped to their factories to be assembled by workers – rumour says those workers are illegals – that’s purely a suggestion but the big thing again is where these items are made. Here’s a test to find out if I’m full of it. Try shipping a garment across the US border within NAFTA. The border agent will charge you duties because the material content and manufacturing info has these garments made overseas but for the few finishing touches on the stitchwork. Thus making American Apparel part of the same or similar clan as Alternative.
Peace,
and Cotton.

By: econ major

econ major — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:58:19 +0000

Please don’t put up posts that “reveal” the fact that Alternative Apparel produces clothing in Chinese factories. They say that right on their website. Suppose they actually do provide higher-than-market wages with humane working conditions in China. Isn’t that better than boycotting China because most factories are inhumane? The fact that most factories in China are terrible makes it even more important that someone provide tolerable, humane jobs over there.

Now does Alternative Apparel do that? I don’t know. If anyone has facts (not irritating speculation based on generalizations like this post) about how Alternative Apparel’s factories are run, could you please share them? Thanks.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:11:25 +0000

The point I was trying to make to the original poster was not that child labor/forced labor are acceptable, I’m quite sure I said quite the opposite. The main point is he substitutes one evil for another. American Apparel recently had to let go 1500 employees whom were found to be in the country illegally or with expired papers which is no less explotive of the law then dealing with China solely for money saving which again I state is not Alternatives reasoning for having a vendor in China. Being accountable and providing better work conditions at their factory in China then other apparel factories there is much better for highering the bar on labor conditions then simply refusing to do business with them in my honest opinion.

By: Hendrix

Hendrix — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:35:31 +0000

Jim, thanks for the substantive citations.
Vince admits that he missed the point, but I will answer part of his question: Yes, we should insist on certain standards in countries we do business with — which standards should be set at the federal level at least as long as China restricts trade across the board like they do. The US gov’t constantly refuses to set these standards while claiming to not want to ignite a trade war when in fact this course is tantamount to surrendering in a trade war.
Scott ignores the point to claim that as long as the products are satisfactory there is nothing we can do about the unacceptable work conditions. Which seems to mean he does accept them quite readily.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:53:06 +0000

I won’t comment on the conditions of the factories in China, because I’ve never been there but I will say this sounds more like a bash and a case of soley picking facts that support your argument. Alternative has products made in many countries including Peru, Eygpt, Thailand, The Dominican Republic, Taiwan, and shocker the USA. I have seen as we try new manufactures in different countries and they simply don’t last long because the quality and shades of the garmets vary greatly in the same sku from some countries. Which is obviously an undesirable product to sell. Not to mention what many other posters have said about the unlikely hood of nothing you own in your home being made in China. Does it make some of the work conditions in China acceptable…hardly. Yet it does in my eyes throw a major flaw in your point of view and walk the line of hypocrisy.

By: Vince

Vince — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:43:40 +0000

Sounds like a bunch of bull to me. So what is it that you’re trying to get across? Should the whole country stop all business with China? I bet if I was to go to your place of business or even your home, I’d find hundreds of items made in China let alone garments. Seems like “someone” is having a hard time competing with Alternative Apparel if you ask me lol. Much success to you and all your future failures…

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:17:47 +0000

Number 1: The Department of Labor has issued a report finding a significant incidence of child labor and forced labor in the apparel industries in China. Number 2: Alternative Apparel does not publish any documentation of thorough inspection reports regarding environmental, labor, safety, wage, and community conditions in the factories where it produces. Number 3: How else is it going to be less expensive to make t-shirts in China and ship them halfway around the world on a barge, unless a factory in China is cutting corners when compared to American production standards? Alternative Apparel is not transparent regarding its production standards in China. Given what we know about the costs of transportation and the standards of labor in China, why should we give Alternative Apparel our confidence? Don't be a dupe. Ask questions.

By: Jason Brookes

Jason Brookes — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:58:31 +0000

Let’s not jump to conclusions. Unless you’re prepared to go to the factory too you have no legitimacy suggesting that Alt Apparel can’t out-source to China. Did these people elect their corrupt officials? Do all chinese business owners exploit their workers? Of course not.

I know some people having manufacturing done in China and they say that the conditions in the factory they use are very good (and not faked). I really don’t think it’s all sweatshops over there.

By: Lisa R

Lisa R — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:07:03 +0000

I was thinking about buying some merchandise from Alternative…but no way now! Thanks for the info…

By: jclifford

jclifford — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:41:31 +0000

Yeah, man. Manufacturing in a country with an authoritarian regime which keeps labor costs low through dirty environmental standards, abuse of workers, and lack of political freedom is so, so, so, you know, what’s the word… legit. Yeah, legit. That’s it.