Monday, October 18, 2004
Outsourcing and You
I've been banking with the same company for the past 12 years, and I just learned something new about them: virtually all of their IT and telephone based customer service has been outsourced to India. That DOES NOT make me a happy camper, and as soon as I have the chance I'll be moving all of my accounts to a bank that uses US based employees.
Now, before you label me a xenophobe or a racist or a classist or an elitist, let me say that I have nothing against India or the Indian peoples. I admire their work ethic and their focus on the family as the center of life. I've also got to say that they make some kick ass food; however, this is war and in war there are casualties.
Yes, I'm aware that the US is not at war with India (yet - give GWB some more time and he'll find a reason, believe me); it's a class war I'm talking about. I'm stepping up to the plate to defend my position in the middle class. If I don't start to make a stand - who will?
I have every intention of writing to the president of the bank to let him know why I'm pulling my business. I haven't drafted the letter yet, but I'm envisioning something along these lines:
Dear Sir:
You don't know me, but I've been a customer of yours for the past twelve years. I've had everything from checking and savings accounts through home equity loans at your bank, but that is in the past. I have pulled my business from your bank and I will not return; I did feel it was my duty to inform you why I've come to this decision.
You've outsourced middle income US jobs to India, and I as a middle class American cannot support this action.
I understand the logic behind it, and I understand the reasons you've made these cost cutting decisions. I'm here to tell you that you've made the wrong choice. Putting Americans out of work to boost earnings per share is not only wrong, it is morally reprehensible. How much is enough, in regards to earnings? Today IT and customer service has been outsourced to India; what comes next? Hiring illegals as tellers for dirt cheap wages?
I, hopefully, am not alone in my actions. I have asked others to support my decision and to take similar actions. While the loss of one customer is insignificant, the loss of many WILL be noticeable.
This is a war, Mr. Bank President, and you've fired the first shot. It's my duty to defend myself, my country and my way of life.
Sincerely,
Bike Guy
So, boys and girls - do me this favor: next time you call up to order something from a US based mail order catalog - ask them where the call center is located. If it's outside the US, just say "Thank you, but I cannot support outsourcing of US jobs" and hang up. As your bank where their IT department is located - if it's overseas, thank them and pull your money. Do a little research before you sign on with that accounting firm or that legal firm - chances are they're outsourcing accountants or paralegals, too.
I'm not in any danger of having my job outsourced - yet. I imagine most of you are in the same boat. Still, if we don't take action now, how long before our jobs are located in India or the Philippines? Speaking for myself, neither country sounds too appealing.
Now, before you label me a xenophobe or a racist or a classist or an elitist, let me say that I have nothing against India or the Indian peoples. I admire their work ethic and their focus on the family as the center of life. I've also got to say that they make some kick ass food; however, this is war and in war there are casualties.
Yes, I'm aware that the US is not at war with India (yet - give GWB some more time and he'll find a reason, believe me); it's a class war I'm talking about. I'm stepping up to the plate to defend my position in the middle class. If I don't start to make a stand - who will?
I have every intention of writing to the president of the bank to let him know why I'm pulling my business. I haven't drafted the letter yet, but I'm envisioning something along these lines:
Dear Sir:
You don't know me, but I've been a customer of yours for the past twelve years. I've had everything from checking and savings accounts through home equity loans at your bank, but that is in the past. I have pulled my business from your bank and I will not return; I did feel it was my duty to inform you why I've come to this decision.
You've outsourced middle income US jobs to India, and I as a middle class American cannot support this action.
I understand the logic behind it, and I understand the reasons you've made these cost cutting decisions. I'm here to tell you that you've made the wrong choice. Putting Americans out of work to boost earnings per share is not only wrong, it is morally reprehensible. How much is enough, in regards to earnings? Today IT and customer service has been outsourced to India; what comes next? Hiring illegals as tellers for dirt cheap wages?
I, hopefully, am not alone in my actions. I have asked others to support my decision and to take similar actions. While the loss of one customer is insignificant, the loss of many WILL be noticeable.
This is a war, Mr. Bank President, and you've fired the first shot. It's my duty to defend myself, my country and my way of life.
Sincerely,
Bike Guy
So, boys and girls - do me this favor: next time you call up to order something from a US based mail order catalog - ask them where the call center is located. If it's outside the US, just say "Thank you, but I cannot support outsourcing of US jobs" and hang up. As your bank where their IT department is located - if it's overseas, thank them and pull your money. Do a little research before you sign on with that accounting firm or that legal firm - chances are they're outsourcing accountants or paralegals, too.
I'm not in any danger of having my job outsourced - yet. I imagine most of you are in the same boat. Still, if we don't take action now, how long before our jobs are located in India or the Philippines? Speaking for myself, neither country sounds too appealing.
// posted by John Patmos @ 1:50 PM 
Comments:
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That is a big reason I am voting for Kerry - tax credits for companies that don't outsource, that are funded from tax penalties to those that do.
Finding a bank that truly does not outsource would be difficult if not impossible - I guess in my case since I generally have a pretty high balance in a non interest account i should move to a credit union and get an interest bearing, nonoutsourced job - credit unions are all local deals and unlikely to outsource.
Finding a bank that truly does not outsource would be difficult if not impossible - I guess in my case since I generally have a pretty high balance in a non interest account i should move to a credit union and get an interest bearing, nonoutsourced job - credit unions are all local deals and unlikely to outsource.
# posted by 
: 4:17 PM
: 4:17 PM
Yet another example of how we're growing the middle class of emerging economies at the expense of our own. Kerry is right to pull tax incentives for companies who outsource. If we can't stop it, let's at least not encourage it.
Mr. Underhill, be careful with the S&L...the Bush's had their hand in at least one S&L failure.
Mr. Underhill, be careful with the S&L...the Bush's had their hand in at least one S&L failure.
BRAVO! Great letter! Why can't we have more people like you around?
I've always wondered why more people don't ask questions. I have for years been asking different catalog companies and clothing manufacturers where their clothing is made and doing research on their factories. Not only am I concerned with USA only made (which is almost impossible I know) but I feel as a human being I am obligated to NOT invest money into a company that is going against all that I hold dear. Above all else I value the treatment of all people.
I believe there are way too few people in this world who actually care ... or react. Thank you again for posting this. You have compelled me and made me think beyond my work for the day (I do that on a regular basis but this morning was kind of drowned out by the hang over - but surprisingly you got through it all!).
It's a sad world when apathy has taken over.
I've always wondered why more people don't ask questions. I have for years been asking different catalog companies and clothing manufacturers where their clothing is made and doing research on their factories. Not only am I concerned with USA only made (which is almost impossible I know) but I feel as a human being I am obligated to NOT invest money into a company that is going against all that I hold dear. Above all else I value the treatment of all people.
I believe there are way too few people in this world who actually care ... or react. Thank you again for posting this. You have compelled me and made me think beyond my work for the day (I do that on a regular basis but this morning was kind of drowned out by the hang over - but surprisingly you got through it all!).
It's a sad world when apathy has taken over.
Mr. Underhill - we have a credit union account, too - but it's in another state. Not exactly convenient, and their customer service has been going downhill for the past 10 years. We're looking at Washington Mutual, and have heard good things about them. Got to do some more digging, though...
Politico - right on. Like I said, I have nothing against India - I just don't feel the need to grow their middle class by killing ours. The answer seems so simple - tax the living shit out of companies that outsource. Make it unappealing to use foreign workers and companies will keep American jobs.
InkedDaisy - thanks, darlin' - flattery will get you everywhere! ;-) On a serious note, it will eventually come down to class warfare. We can fight now (like I've proposed) with words and actions, or we can fight later with knives and guns and bombs. Rest assured, at the rate we're currently outsourcing jobs and foreclosing on houses, we WILL see a fight in our future.
Politico - right on. Like I said, I have nothing against India - I just don't feel the need to grow their middle class by killing ours. The answer seems so simple - tax the living shit out of companies that outsource. Make it unappealing to use foreign workers and companies will keep American jobs.
InkedDaisy - thanks, darlin' - flattery will get you everywhere! ;-) On a serious note, it will eventually come down to class warfare. We can fight now (like I've proposed) with words and actions, or we can fight later with knives and guns and bombs. Rest assured, at the rate we're currently outsourcing jobs and foreclosing on houses, we WILL see a fight in our future.
Well, ultimately that is why we need to ban import of good from countries that do not subscribe to reasonable child labor laws and such - otherwise it is simply a race to the bottom where any honest companies is put out of business by sleaze who pay children 13 cents a day to manufacture their clothes.
This is another issue where bush is not very good, but it has also been glossed over in clinton's time as well.
This is another issue where bush is not very good, but it has also been glossed over in clinton's time as well.
# posted by : 2:03 PM
: 2:03 PM
Mr. Underhill: It all comes down to greed. LIke I asked in my proposed letter, how much profit is enough profit? It's a rhetorical question, since the answer is "There's never enough profit". CEOs are responsible for producing gains year to year. When sales are down, the easiest way to maximize profits is to cut costs - hence the move towards outsourcing and offshore manufacturing.
Somewhere along the line, we've stopped caring about quality as well. We buy what manufacturers produce, without regards to how well something is made. Take atheletic shoes, for example: ten years ago, a decent pair of cross trainers cost around $75, but were made of leather. If you wanted to find some made in the US, you could always buy New Balance.
Today, all of the cross trainers I've seen are made of "synthetic leather" - isn't that FUCKING VINYL? If I wanted plastic shoes, I could shop at Payless and get them for $10 a pair. No need to pay Nike $85 for shoes that probably cost them seventy five cents per pair to manufacture. And American shoes? Good luck finding a pair - even New Balance now uses overseas manufacturing (but, ironically, their shoes are no less expensive).
Jane - thanks darlin' - I'll be around here from time to time, and I do have your e-mail.
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Somewhere along the line, we've stopped caring about quality as well. We buy what manufacturers produce, without regards to how well something is made. Take atheletic shoes, for example: ten years ago, a decent pair of cross trainers cost around $75, but were made of leather. If you wanted to find some made in the US, you could always buy New Balance.
Today, all of the cross trainers I've seen are made of "synthetic leather" - isn't that FUCKING VINYL? If I wanted plastic shoes, I could shop at Payless and get them for $10 a pair. No need to pay Nike $85 for shoes that probably cost them seventy five cents per pair to manufacture. And American shoes? Good luck finding a pair - even New Balance now uses overseas manufacturing (but, ironically, their shoes are no less expensive).
Jane - thanks darlin' - I'll be around here from time to time, and I do have your e-mail.
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