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The Price of Clothing -- and Your Soul

 

Where are your clothes from?  Where were they made?  The person who made them, did he or she earn a living wage, in safe conditions?  Were they treated fairly?  Did they have any workplace protection, or an entity (like OSHA) that could take up their cause if they felt practices were exploitative or dangerous?

Here's an eye-opening, cool scroll-overable infographic that shows where major manufacturers have their goods made and how much the average worker is paid.

I just can't rationalize that "in these countries, 50 cents a day is a good wage," because I don't believe that you should pay your workers as little as you can get away with.  You should pay them what they are worth and reflect what their labor is worth TO YOU (I guess this is where the "and your soul" part of the title applies).

The Car Seat Poncho is made entirely in the USA, at a factory that pays a good, competitive wage, provides health care, complies with OSHA and other federal, state and municipal safety codes and is regularly inspected and certified.  And what I pay that factory includes more than labor.  It includes the cost of the owner's overhead, which literally provides for what's over one's head:  The factory building is solid, clean, well-maintained, and properly constructed to accomodate heavy equipment and the vibrations caused by hundreds of sewing machines.

• In contrast, the owner of the Bangladeshi factory where 112 workers perished a few weeks ago "didn't know he was supposed to provide fire exits."
• The Bangladeshi factory (a different one!) that collapsed in April, killing 1,100 workers, was constructed on a piece of land that used to be a body of water, and was "filled with rubbish."  Probably got that parcel pretty cheap.

And true, just because a factory is in the US doesn't guarantee any of the above.  But doing business in a place where I can frequently visit, walk through, look people in the eye and read the employee bulletin board removes 99.9% of any doubt.

The price of the Car Seat Poncho reflects the decision that our company has made not to exploit or take advantage of people -- in this country or around the world -- who want to work and provide decent, healthy lives for themselves and their families.  No one should have to work for almost nothing (while others profit lavishly). 

This principle also applies to people like the factory owners I work with, who do right by their employees and right by their customers -- they deserve a fair profit.  And it includes people like me, who invent, design, market, manage, process and ship the products!

No one should have to give her labor away.  Please don't ask her to.

My Baby's NOT Cold Outside (or in her car seat!)

This week, we got a very nice note from a very satisfied customer:

I just wanted to let you know the Car Seat Poncho is working out great!  So far, but my daughter loves it - and considering it was -13F here in Minneapolis this morning, the timing couldn't have been better!

 

- Renee

 

Thank you, Renee, and I'm glad your little one is staying toasty -- and SAFE in her Car Seat Poncho.  Not to mention how convenient it is for mom -- no coat, no sleeves, no bulk, no hassle.

 

To read more about how well the Car Seat Poncho shields your child from the cold, click here.

 

To read more notes from happy customers, click here.

 

And to see colors and sizes for YOUR own little one, click HERE.

 

What's the Car Seat Poncho's temperature rating?

Facebook Friends:  Pitch in your real-life temperature rating for the Car Seat Poncho!

From: S
Sent: Friday, January 4, 2013 9:11 AM

Hi there,

I'm just wondering what the temperature ratings are on the poncho. I'm aware that it says "cold temperature", but living in Chicago, we have some bitterly, cold, winter days and low wind chill temperatures. It would be helpful to have this information on the website as part of the item description.

Thanks,
S

Dear S,

In my personal experience, I have used the poncho on my son in 15 degree weather (Fahrenheit), over his regular indoor clothes and a thin fleece hoodie.  He stayed toasty warm throughout our errands and ins/outs of the car. I have also used a thin windbreaker (no lining, just the windproof shell) with the poncho in colder weather (it rarely goes below 0 here in NJ) and he stayed toasty then, too.

And while I don't have scientific insulation or heat retention studies, I know that Car Seat Ponchos are being used by many satisfied customers in the coldest parts of the US and in Canada.

I will post this on my blog (and Facebook) and see what other moms post. Friend “Car Seat Poncho” today or tomorrow and there should be some responses to read.

Thanks again for writing and thank you for considering the Car Seat Poncho!
Regards,
Donna Eng

 

Wednesday, December 19, is the last day to order your Car Seat Poncho before Christmas!  Orders placed after 12/19/12. 9 p.m., Eastern Time will not ship until AFTER the holiday.

Several Medium/Large colors are almost out of stock, so, if you've been eye'ing Chocolate Rose, Paisley, or Navy Camo, you should shop soon!

Cutest Frog Blanket Ever

Introducing the MATCHING BLANKET in our newest boys' print: FROGS!

Now little brothers who still ride in baby buckets can match their big brother(s), for only $3.99.

The Car Seat Poncho Infant Blanket is better than a plain old blanket because it's scooped at the neck and wider at the shoulders -- specifically shaped to tuck around a baby in an infant seat. Made of two layers of cozy fleece, you can snuggle it right up and around your little fella's chin or fold the top down to show the contrasting color.

Click here for more details: http://stores.hbarryboollc.com/-strse-MATCHING-INFANT-BLANKETS/Categories.bok

NAVY/CAMO: Matching Blankets!

Introducing the MATCHING BLANKET in our most popular boys' print:  NAVY/CAMO! 

Now little brothers who still ride in baby buckets can match their big brother(s), for only $3.99.


The Car Seat Poncho Infant Blanket is better than a plain old blanket because it's scooped at the neck and wider at the shoulders -- specifically shaped to tuck around a baby in an infant seat. Made of two layers of cozy fleece, you can snuggle it right up and around your little fella's chin or fold the top down to show the contrasting color.

Click here for more details: http://stores.hbarryboollc.com/-strse-MATCHING-INFANT-BLANKETS/Categories.bok

INTRODUCING Matching Infant Blankets

The Car Seat Poncho store now has MATCHING BLANKETS for little brothers and sisters who still ride in baby buckets!  Coordinate or match your littlest one to your bigger one(s) for only $2.99.

It's better than a plain old blanket because it's scooped at the neck and wider at the shoulders -- specifically shaped to tuck around a baby harnessed in an infant seat.  Made of two layers of cozy fleece, in color combinations that match our most popular ponchos, you can snuggle it right up and around your baby or fold the top down to show the contrasting color.

Click here for more details: http://stores.hbarryboollc.com/-strse-MATCHING-INFANT-BLANKETS/Categories.bok