A recent experiment by a Texas showerhead salesman aimed to gauge consumer willingness to pay more for products made in the US. The results, however, were strikingly low. Despite President Trump’s claims that patriotic purchases drive demand for domestically manufactured goods, the survey revealed that few Americans are willing to pay a premium for such products.
Ramon van Meer, a serial salesman with an Austin-based company, conducted the test by offering customers two options: a showerhead made in Asia at $129 or one made in the US for about $200. To his surprise, not a single customer chose the more expensive American-made model. Van Meer’s findings suggest that consumers are not as interested in supporting domestic manufacturing as previously thought.
The situation is reflected in various industries across the country. Rick Whedon, owner of an Illinois-based company producing low-flow showerheads, reported that he sells most models overseas due to a scarcity of US-based machine shops and skilled workers. Similarly, David Malcolm, who began making showerheads in California 15 years ago, now sources parts from Taiwan.
These cases illustrate the challenges faced by domestic manufacturers in maintaining production capacity and sourcing necessary components due to the decline in demand for domestically made products. The uncertainty surrounding tariffs and trade policies further complicates the situation, as business owners struggle to plan ahead with confidence.
While some entrepreneurs remain committed to producing US-made products, the lack of consumer demand indicates that reviving the domestic manufacturing sector will require significant investments in restoring parts suppliers and skilled workers.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/18/nx-s1-5399796/a-texas-salesman-discovers-the-truth-about-made-in-the-u-s-a-no-ones-buying