The weather is finally getting colder here in Austin. So, one of the things I have been searching for is a portable space heater. Ideally, I would like one that is made in the USA.
I never thought it would be such an ordeal to locate such a simple thing as a heater manufactured in the US.
First, I called Home Depot and then, Lowes stores. I asked the salesperson(s) if they sold ANY space heaters made in the USA? The answer at both stores was the same: “NO.” Where were they made, I asked? The answer: China, of course.
Next, I called Sears. I got the same answer. China.
Lastly, I called Breed & Co., a local hardware store here in Austin. It is well known for
carrying quality products. The salesman told me to hold on and he would go check their stock of heaters. He came back and said, “Yes, Lakewood heaters are made in the US.” I was giddy. (A silly response, I know, but hey, I was freezing!)My daughter-in-law was going out to run errands so I asked if she would stop and pick up a couple heaters. She did.
When she got home and we pulled the heaters out of their boxes, guess what was stamped on the bottom of each one? Made in China. ARRGH!!
So, we returned the heaters to Breed & Co. and I turned my attention to google. I searched and searched and finally found the Vornado line of heaters. The company had several models still made in the USA (I had to click on the FEATURE button to get this info).
Anyway, I ordered one for myself , the VH2 and also an AVH2, for my son and daughter-in-law (for a Solstice present).
The heaters arrived today. I wrapped and hid their heater but I am using mine now. It works great (so quiet and so powerful!). I am very happy with my purchase. Yay MADE IN USA heaters!!!
ps. If you decide to order a Vornado for yourself online, make sure you click on the FEATURE button for each heater and check the manufacture location before ordering. One or two of the more expensive models are made in China. (What a switch, huh?)
pps. They have some really cool (`xcuse the pun) "vintage" fans also on the Vornado web site, but I don't know if they are made in the US. I can't locate the info on their website. (I'll have to email the company again.) While I was looking over the fans, I noticed they have a cute little fan called the Zippi but it is manufactured in...you guessed it -- China. sigh...
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UPDATE: 12/22/07I have been using my Vornado heater and it works great. I know this sounds like a gushing commercial but I can't help it. (And NO, I have no connection with this company or any company other than as a consumer.)
Over the years, I have bought probably 12 or more personal heaters but this heater is one of the best, if not the best one I've ever owned. It is very quiet, gets hot super fast, yet the case (plastic) stays cool to the touch. It quickly heats a whole room. I seldom have to set the dial higher than 2 (I think it goes up to 6). My only slight complaint is the size -- it is bigger (but oddly lite weight) than I thought it would be but, overall this is not a problem.
I highly recommend the Vornado heater btw. Highly.
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10 COMMENTS:
Thank you! I was getting soo frustrated looking online for a heater that was made in the US! I just ordered one tonight. :)
Thanks for the research,
~K
You're welcome!! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Thank you for this info. I just had to get rid of four electric oil filled space heaters that were made outside of the U.S., because they almost burned down my house. Angry, you bet. But this is what happens when we have a broken freeeeee market system that operates as if it was on "Steroids..." and some business owners no longer care about Americans, but instead they care more about their personal profits...
Your information is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks. The very first thing I do anymore when buying something is look to see where it is made.
Thanks for the article, this is just what I needed!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I bumped into your blog looking for the space heater! What a huge help!
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alanna
http://www.craigslisthelper.info
I find it rather ironic that you went through all that much trouble to buy a Vornado heater considering that the company was dissolved and sold off because they tried to cover-up the heater fires caused by their heaters. So instead of recalling them after 300 people had them catch fire they did nothing until enough people complained to the government and the government asked Vornado about the fires.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08180.html
Seriously, if you're going to refuse to buy products not made in the USA I suggest you pick a less embarrassing example. I no longer use my Made in the USA Vornado because I'm afraid it'll catch fire, and I can't even get it repaired because since the original company was "dissolved" and then a new company with the same name exists now as a subsidiary of Coleman, nobody's responsible to fix it anymore.
I don't find it surprising that nobody else bothers to build heaters in the US anymore if the best we can do is cover up heater fires and refuse to recall for 10 years.
REPLY TO IRONIC Anonymous:
Wow, what has your panties in a bunch?? Geeze!
OK, first of all, yes, Vornado did get slapped with a FINE from the CPSC. They are not the first or last US company to get fined for not reporting their flawed products.
And I did a little research and see where the past CEO of Coleman teamed up with McCarthy Capital Corporation, an Omaha Based Private Equity Firm in 2007 --
http://www.allbusiness.com/finance/equity-funding-private-equity/4016295-1.html
But I couldn't see anywhere that said that Coleman bought Vornado...just a past CEO and other former Coleman people....and an equity firm. I'm not a business person so I'm not real clear on the ramifications of this info.
But I do know that I bought 2 Vornadoes in the winter of `07...one model is a little cheaper than the other. The higher priced model has worked like a breeze for 2 winters now, with zero problems.
The cheaper model has had problems. I have returned it twice to the company --- which is still in business btw. Both times they fixed it free. The second time I had to pay shipping there but not back...about $8. Which is much cheaper than buying a new, crappy, made-in-china heater. Also, Vornado fixed the heater and returned it to me pretty quickly. Thus it was saved from going to the landfill. It's a win-win situation. More companies should do this.
Further, all of my dealings with the Vornado company have been pleasant AND IN ENGLISH! I haven't suffered with being put on hold or struggled to converse with the customer rep (who is sitting in a cubicle in New Delhi and english is his/her second language). The Vornado people have been very polite and helpful.
Yes, Vornado is not perfect. But then what company is?? In the end here is what I can say about the company--(for now) they make a quality small portable heater RIGHT HERE IN THE USA.
You buy what you want, from who you want. And I will continue to buy local as much as I can. Problem solved.
Cheers.
~M
ps. And I still recommend Vornado to my friends and family.
I've three of Vornado's USA made fans, and I was looking to purchase another online recently. Mind you, all three, which are 10, 8 and 5 respectively, are all in perfect working order. I noticed there was a new design, but their solid, powder-coated metal bases were replaced with a plastic base. Needless to say, aesthetically, it leaves something to be desired to its predecessors. let alone their iconic models of the '40's & '50's.
Long story short, I looked at one while in Home Depot recently. Yes, it looked cheap as hell looking. So I looked at the tag and it was indeed ChiCom made.
How sad, as I talk them up constantly for their quality and employing Americans in this competitive, race-to-the-bottom world of ours. I just tried looking at their site, alas to no avail. It's down, What a pity.
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