NOT Made in the USA: Bell Bicycle Child Carrier Seats

Bell bicycle child carrier seats grabbed attention in the store aisles because of its big “Made in the USA” label, a claim that is purportedly false.

For many U.S. consumers, the claim “Made in the USA” is a huge selling point. The pride one feels when purchasing a product that supports American jobs can be a factor.

The belief that the United States has higher quality standards than other countries comes into play as well.

Bell bicycle child carrier seats are sold by California company Bell Sports, Inc.

The bicycle seats attach to the back of an adult bike, allowing a toddler to ride tandem. Similar to toddler car seats, the Bell bicycle child carrier seats have molded plastic body, cushioned interior and attached straps.

Overseas Parts

The Federal Trade Commission demands that “Made in the USA” means that “all or virtually all” of the product has been made in America. Specifically, all significant parts, processing and labor that go into the final product must be of U.S. origin.

The Bell bicycle child carrier seat called the CoPilot Limo promotes its “new plush seat cushion,” which is made in China, and its “Blackburn Expedition Rack,” which is made in Taiwan.

By stamping “Made in the USA” on the product, Bell stands accused of falsely advertising and promoting the idea that the components were made in the United States.

The FTC is clear that imported products must identify the country where they were processed. Any product made partly in the U.S. and partly abroad must identify both aspects.

Consumers Conscious of Decisions

Manufacturers are aware that consumers can be vulnerable to deceptive and fraudulent claims that a product was made in the USA.

The FTC states that consumers who see “Made in the USA” on an item do not question the validity of that claim. Consumers shouldn’t have to question a company’s honesty. It is not the buyer’s responsibility to trace the origin of every component on an item such as the Bell bicycle child carrier seat.

In light of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, American consumers have become even more aware of “Made in the USA” claims and have been more inclined to purchase such items. Many consumers will even pay more for an item that claims to be made in the USA.

Walmart Added Disclaimer on Bell Bicycle Child Carrier

A recent look at Walmart’s online entry for a Bell bicycle child carrier seat proves that the store has increased its sensitivity to “Made in the USA” claims.

At the top of the Bell bicycle child carrier seat overview page is this disclaimer:

Important Made in USA Origin Disclaimer: For certain items sold by Walmart on Walmart.com, the displayed country of origin information may not be accurate or consistent with manufacturer information. For updated, accurate country of origin data, it is recommended that you rely on product packaging or manufacturer information.

If you have purchased a Bell bicycle child carrier seat or other item that claimed to be made in the USA, but consists of substandard foreign parts and workmanship, you could have a claim in a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer.