This Vending Machine Sold T-Shirts For Only 2 Euros, But Nobody Wanted To Buy Them
575Kviews
A non-profit named Fashion Revolution has created a wonderful social experiment that has challenged people to reconsider how they shop for their clothes. A vending machine they set up in Berlin offers passers-by shirts for only 2 Euro (roughly $2.19), but there was an unexpected catch… they first had to watch a video about the exploited sweatshop laborers that make cheap clothes possible.
The video was released on April 24th or Fashion Revolution Day. This day commemorates the collapse of the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh in 2013, which killed more than 1,000 garment workers who had been making clothing for American brands in an unsafe work environment. The workers at such factories are often underage, and most are also underpaid and overworked since the labor laws there are practically non-existent. Fashion Revolution wants to encourage people to start asking questions about the morality of their clothes, like where they were made and under what conditions they were made.
More info: fashionrevolution.org | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram (h/t: aplus)
This vending machine in Berlin offered to sell t-shirts for only 2 Euros
Seems like a bargain, right?
However, nobody was buying them…
The machine showed who was behind the cheap clothing we buy:
Often-underage workers work as many as 16 hours a day…
…for as little as 13 cents an hour
Do you still want to buy this 2 EUR t-shirt?
Of course, most people decided to donate to their cause instead of going through with the purchase
Here’s the full video:
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and who did my 50€ shirt?
same poor employers, just the company earn more money for them
That's the thing, buying more expensive clothing IN NO WAY guarantees against bad labor practices.
Your €50 costs peanuts to make. They company you buy it off exploits you and the workers for easy profit. Only the company wins.
£50 shirt, I mean.
The same workers...only some middleman has figured out the secret of spotting a complete dumbass and selling him a 2 euro shirt for 50 euro.
Right? Shoes aren't worth $100+ per pair. They cost less than $2 to make, probably way less. They charge as much as they think can.
Same people. lol
The same workers, but someone get more profit.
The same slave-workers, but, someone get more profit.
Probably the same folks makin a sweet profit off the mark-up
the same people ... The product company kept their 48 bucks
Probably the same people. Isn't it sad? Whe pay for brands and rarely for fabric quality.
It's the same $2 t-shirt.
So when no one buys the 2 euro shirts there isn't a need for poor Nanisha to work in a sweat shop so she loses her 0.13$ a day job & starves
But if all people started to care about what they buy then companies would have to come up with a more ethical strategy.
Yeah. Right. And slaves were given room and board.
The problem reside in goverments that allow this kind of underemployment. Clothing companies do like any other, reduce costs.
People in developing countries buy clothing too. A rise in the cost of clothing to pay for higher wages harms them.
Nice thought, but nonsense. People can't afford this any longer.
People lie
more efficient strategies for gaining more money... from our 2 euros that we donated Nanisha probably gets only 50c and no job tomorrow ...
No. When big companies stop monopolising countries like this their economies will be more localised and sustainable.
Those people donate the money to those woman so they can better themselves and get better jobs!
This is the 'free market' art work, hey? Somebody's making a lot of money, so all is well in the world.
The problem is, that people still has that argument, and keep buying stuff at primarkt. That is not hoe we are going to change the world!
Lol
I had the same thought, but then I realized, the company can pocket a tad bit less to even the wages. They'll still make bank.
Donate
For the fashion companies? They should donate. A lot!
She will never get her donation..
EXACTLY.
What if you choose to buy it?
you choose to buy it these people still have jobs
Then you would be an arsehole...
so everyone who can't afford expensive clothes is an arsehole.
so people who can't afford expensive clothes are all arseholes.
Like you when you buy "designers" jeans for 100 usd made from same workers in same place. You got to realise: all companys got cheep labor.
Yeah, but an arsehole with a really clean, new white shirt.
Yes, because you know what's worse than working 16 hours a day for peanuts? Being unemployed. Yay, good job!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
he probably is.
then you finally get your t-shirt
Then you'd be getting a sweet deal, unlike those other chumps.
I know I would of these people all probably went to h and m after. Same thing.
Then those working people have a chance to starve.
then apparently you would be supporting cheap labor and poor conditions...but the non profit already has by purchasing the cheap shirts.
It would be a good keepsake.
Western hypocrisy. Let those people make money for themselves and survive. Stop pushing western hypocratic ideology on other people.
Because your alternatives are so much better. Oh, wait. You don't have any.
Yup. This is a means for women to achieve some financial independence in a country where females cannot get education or well-paying jobs.
I know. If we stop buying because we're outraged, what happens? Do they magically find better jobs when their factory shuts down?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
you are a disaster my friend. you need to be sent back to 1400th century.
You most likely never visited a non western country
This experiment only works if ALL clothing manufacturers did this. They don't. Experiment invalid.
Somebody has to start the experiment and hope others will follow. Even if just 1 followed then it would be valid!!! No negative comments!!!
The experiment obviously works, Rolf: people think again. The experiment's strength lies in just that fact.
It's still a nice thought isn't it. Also. Hello to another Hawkins
Another Hawkins. Excellent.
Are you seriously this clueless? This "experiment" is to raise awareness of social conditions. At 1.4 million views today...total success.
Are you seriously this clueless? The "experiment" is to raise public awareness in the West. At 1.4 million YouTube ...complete success.
Donating to a cause is not going to pay their wages this week, buy the damn shirt , buy ten , then they ill get paid next week too.
do you know where i can get like 300 of those (t-shirts not children)
"People care when they know". That's very untrue. How many of you eat animal products, knowing that you support animal cruelty by doing so?
What is a way to know that the clothing you buy isn't being made by slave labour?
There's no way. Almost all of it is already
Hi there, i think this is such an important topic, i know it was over a year ago now but i think this campaign needs to be kept alive, i've just written a blog post about it - feel free to read and comment - https://moralcompasssite.wordpress.com/2016/10/05/fashion-revolution-2-euro-t-shirt/ The demand for fast fashion is the cause of this cruelty there's no two ways about it.
This seems a bit manipulative. I mean you're trying to buy a shirt and all the sudden you kinda have to donate without being a jerk.
It!- a great idea, but they shouldn't only put BUY and DONATE on the screen.
Yeah lets boycott all shops which sell clothes made in sweatshops.Then the workers will starve and our highstreets will die off quicker
ALL clothes are made in some kind of terrible factory. The blame lies with the governments of the countries where the factories are.
What is it with the 140 character nazis?Its oppression!!!
Political pressure is necessary to change conditions for these people. Boycotting sales will not help the people. Fuck this is annoying...
And by not buying them all they are doing is letting these people starve...
The important thing is that the message got through. However, I agree with the comments below.
If I bought 10 shirts do I have to watch the video again?
:(
do you know where i can order like 100 of those?
Also consider. If nobody bought the 2 dollar shirt, the people willing and needing to work for 16 cents and hour will then be out a job.
What if this employer is still one of the best in the region. And without it they would be unemployed with no benefits and means to live?
Rich-country people prefer to donate to rich-country NGO than to support a business that employs very poor people.
clever campaing.... but hypocrites as we are.... we will forgot it next day.... or we will buy that same t-shirt in a shop somewhere else!
Will be dead starving.
It will be better if u donate and buy it too. Till the companies start applying their ethical strategy Manisha and a part of her family
I think that it will bë beter if u donate and buy the t-shirt too. Till all companies start applying their ethical strategy Manisha and
That's so sad for those workers... But I guess there are some viable pros and cons for this, ah, "revolution"
I'd buy the shirt. I love a good shirt. And I love a bargain.
I bought several right next door at Primark here in Berlin. They all are made in southeast Asia. No matter if it's adidas or Abercrombie ...
Either donate or buy,for sure the one sponsored all this matter wil do have it all,still less fortunate for workers.
Don't buy it and you put them out of work! Worst thing you can do.
So in theory... If one doesn't buy the £2 t-shirt made by the unethical company, it has a knock on effect to their margins, right? In order
you choose to buy it they still get the donation then you give the tshirt to a homeless person everyone wins ish
"People care when they know" Thats very untrue. I know many people who know that when they buy animal products, they support animal cruelty
13 cents / 16 hours / 340 days a year = $707.20 or (Bangdeshi 5437 BDT) more than there Doctors & Engineers do. http://goo.gl/mBrKjf
I'd still of purchased the shirt because I'm not disillusioned about where they come from and i wear h+m,sweat shops aren't a new fad cause.
Indulge your middle class guilt and they will have no work.
I don't understand why they put a machine that has an English video in a German city? - Obviously the Germans are more generous?
If only that money goes straight to charity.. they send 10% or 15% of it to the poor and keep the rest!
Everyone donates from moral obligation. But doesn't think that from the 2euros the poor girl gets 50cents and no job tomorrow...
...and still, why don't ask the people in the big companies to donate 2 euros but the regular people, some of whom may have no job at all???
Yet we will buy gap, banana republic, Nike, old navy..etc...all clothing made in sweat shops.
so let's not pay them and just let them starve?
yes they pay what we consider nothing, but to them in the society, these are some of the highest paying and safest jobs available to them
and another money making racket to pulling donations and spent 80% of that money on CEO's pay checks, cars, property like most charities
A bit inaccurate and manipulative...but that's marketing. At least it gets people to think about where their clothes come from.
Then we all better stop shopping at H&M !!
The irony of this beeing done in Germany.They should watch how other european countries live because of them, before they buy ANYTHING!
It wasn't just American brands
Most people said western. That doesn't solely include Americans, don't be so narcissistic.
It's wasn't just American brands
expensive clothes shops use sweat shops.....
so very one sided. so you don't buy the shirt. then what. the cheap labour then starves. its about FAIR pay, not cheap pay, or worse NO pay.
so it was a scam for donation ..
same happens with a 40 € t-shirt.
Western companies build factories in Asia, in order to reduce costs and reap profits
Interesting. Let the comment arguments begin.
its the same with 50 euro shirts or shirts from companies like hugo boss, they all produce in countries like bangladesh because its cheap.
Those people have a job because you buy a shirt for 2 bucks. The government won't feed them so not buying a shirt could starve a family.
And the £10 T-shirts, who makes them?
Basically there was false advertising and extortion through pity, good job.
The real price is slavery... This does deserve a boicot.
I wonder what a homless person would do. I bet they would be amazed at being able to buy a new shirt for only two bucks
Crap! Who is making 20 eu or 50 eur tees? Big greedy brandy bosses? Yeah, right. One thing is campaign for help, but this just sucks
This is a crap! They make shirts in same conditions but some of THE BIG bosses like to earn more money so they charge a 15 or 25 eu per one
But if no ones buy the t-shirts, no one get paid at all, isn't it?
Isn't it better to pay for the shirt so they at list got the 30 cent salary paid instead of nothing?
The problem is if you buy a tshirt for £30. The workers still get 13cent per hour because you pay it for the company not for the workers
Yes of course nobody bought because everyone was watching. I bet they will still buy next time when they see a cheap Tshirt in a store
I am not even remotely suggesting that the system is fair, but I would happily buy the t-shirt and make a donation.
The only difference between $2 t-shirt and $20 t-shirt is that you pay the huge salaries of the european/usa traders and head office staff.
Were the shirts in the vending machine not contributing to the problem?
I think this idea should be all over the western world
For capitalism to work it has to be somebody who gets a lot less than others, how come people don't get it?
Cuz it's a cruddy part of society that no one should accept? We shouldn't have better lives than others just because of where we're born.
No, and I never said we should. I just asked why people don't get how capitalism work. And would you rather have communism?
I get downvoted coz I simply stated the fact..
I'd rather have a perfect world, and you are correct in hinting that such a thing will never exist. It doesn't mean we shouldnt try does it?
and who did my 50€ shirt?
same poor employers, just the company earn more money for them
That's the thing, buying more expensive clothing IN NO WAY guarantees against bad labor practices.
Your €50 costs peanuts to make. They company you buy it off exploits you and the workers for easy profit. Only the company wins.
£50 shirt, I mean.
The same workers...only some middleman has figured out the secret of spotting a complete dumbass and selling him a 2 euro shirt for 50 euro.
Right? Shoes aren't worth $100+ per pair. They cost less than $2 to make, probably way less. They charge as much as they think can.
Same people. lol
The same workers, but someone get more profit.
The same slave-workers, but, someone get more profit.
Probably the same folks makin a sweet profit off the mark-up
the same people ... The product company kept their 48 bucks
Probably the same people. Isn't it sad? Whe pay for brands and rarely for fabric quality.
It's the same $2 t-shirt.
So when no one buys the 2 euro shirts there isn't a need for poor Nanisha to work in a sweat shop so she loses her 0.13$ a day job & starves
But if all people started to care about what they buy then companies would have to come up with a more ethical strategy.
Yeah. Right. And slaves were given room and board.
The problem reside in goverments that allow this kind of underemployment. Clothing companies do like any other, reduce costs.
People in developing countries buy clothing too. A rise in the cost of clothing to pay for higher wages harms them.
Nice thought, but nonsense. People can't afford this any longer.
People lie
more efficient strategies for gaining more money... from our 2 euros that we donated Nanisha probably gets only 50c and no job tomorrow ...
No. When big companies stop monopolising countries like this their economies will be more localised and sustainable.
Those people donate the money to those woman so they can better themselves and get better jobs!
This is the 'free market' art work, hey? Somebody's making a lot of money, so all is well in the world.
The problem is, that people still has that argument, and keep buying stuff at primarkt. That is not hoe we are going to change the world!
Lol
I had the same thought, but then I realized, the company can pocket a tad bit less to even the wages. They'll still make bank.
Donate
For the fashion companies? They should donate. A lot!
She will never get her donation..
EXACTLY.
What if you choose to buy it?
you choose to buy it these people still have jobs
Then you would be an arsehole...
so everyone who can't afford expensive clothes is an arsehole.
so people who can't afford expensive clothes are all arseholes.
Like you when you buy "designers" jeans for 100 usd made from same workers in same place. You got to realise: all companys got cheep labor.
Yeah, but an arsehole with a really clean, new white shirt.
Yes, because you know what's worse than working 16 hours a day for peanuts? Being unemployed. Yay, good job!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
he probably is.
then you finally get your t-shirt
Then you'd be getting a sweet deal, unlike those other chumps.
I know I would of these people all probably went to h and m after. Same thing.
Then those working people have a chance to starve.
then apparently you would be supporting cheap labor and poor conditions...but the non profit already has by purchasing the cheap shirts.
It would be a good keepsake.
Western hypocrisy. Let those people make money for themselves and survive. Stop pushing western hypocratic ideology on other people.
Because your alternatives are so much better. Oh, wait. You don't have any.
Yup. This is a means for women to achieve some financial independence in a country where females cannot get education or well-paying jobs.
I know. If we stop buying because we're outraged, what happens? Do they magically find better jobs when their factory shuts down?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
you are a disaster my friend. you need to be sent back to 1400th century.
You most likely never visited a non western country
This experiment only works if ALL clothing manufacturers did this. They don't. Experiment invalid.
Somebody has to start the experiment and hope others will follow. Even if just 1 followed then it would be valid!!! No negative comments!!!
The experiment obviously works, Rolf: people think again. The experiment's strength lies in just that fact.
It's still a nice thought isn't it. Also. Hello to another Hawkins
Another Hawkins. Excellent.
Are you seriously this clueless? This "experiment" is to raise awareness of social conditions. At 1.4 million views today...total success.
Are you seriously this clueless? The "experiment" is to raise public awareness in the West. At 1.4 million YouTube ...complete success.
Donating to a cause is not going to pay their wages this week, buy the damn shirt , buy ten , then they ill get paid next week too.
do you know where i can get like 300 of those (t-shirts not children)
"People care when they know". That's very untrue. How many of you eat animal products, knowing that you support animal cruelty by doing so?
What is a way to know that the clothing you buy isn't being made by slave labour?
There's no way. Almost all of it is already
Hi there, i think this is such an important topic, i know it was over a year ago now but i think this campaign needs to be kept alive, i've just written a blog post about it - feel free to read and comment - https://moralcompasssite.wordpress.com/2016/10/05/fashion-revolution-2-euro-t-shirt/ The demand for fast fashion is the cause of this cruelty there's no two ways about it.
This seems a bit manipulative. I mean you're trying to buy a shirt and all the sudden you kinda have to donate without being a jerk.
It!- a great idea, but they shouldn't only put BUY and DONATE on the screen.
Yeah lets boycott all shops which sell clothes made in sweatshops.Then the workers will starve and our highstreets will die off quicker
ALL clothes are made in some kind of terrible factory. The blame lies with the governments of the countries where the factories are.
What is it with the 140 character nazis?Its oppression!!!
Political pressure is necessary to change conditions for these people. Boycotting sales will not help the people. Fuck this is annoying...
And by not buying them all they are doing is letting these people starve...
The important thing is that the message got through. However, I agree with the comments below.
If I bought 10 shirts do I have to watch the video again?
:(
do you know where i can order like 100 of those?
Also consider. If nobody bought the 2 dollar shirt, the people willing and needing to work for 16 cents and hour will then be out a job.
What if this employer is still one of the best in the region. And without it they would be unemployed with no benefits and means to live?
Rich-country people prefer to donate to rich-country NGO than to support a business that employs very poor people.
clever campaing.... but hypocrites as we are.... we will forgot it next day.... or we will buy that same t-shirt in a shop somewhere else!
Will be dead starving.
It will be better if u donate and buy it too. Till the companies start applying their ethical strategy Manisha and a part of her family
I think that it will bë beter if u donate and buy the t-shirt too. Till all companies start applying their ethical strategy Manisha and
That's so sad for those workers... But I guess there are some viable pros and cons for this, ah, "revolution"
I'd buy the shirt. I love a good shirt. And I love a bargain.
I bought several right next door at Primark here in Berlin. They all are made in southeast Asia. No matter if it's adidas or Abercrombie ...
Either donate or buy,for sure the one sponsored all this matter wil do have it all,still less fortunate for workers.
Don't buy it and you put them out of work! Worst thing you can do.
So in theory... If one doesn't buy the £2 t-shirt made by the unethical company, it has a knock on effect to their margins, right? In order
you choose to buy it they still get the donation then you give the tshirt to a homeless person everyone wins ish
"People care when they know" Thats very untrue. I know many people who know that when they buy animal products, they support animal cruelty
13 cents / 16 hours / 340 days a year = $707.20 or (Bangdeshi 5437 BDT) more than there Doctors & Engineers do. http://goo.gl/mBrKjf
I'd still of purchased the shirt because I'm not disillusioned about where they come from and i wear h+m,sweat shops aren't a new fad cause.
Indulge your middle class guilt and they will have no work.
I don't understand why they put a machine that has an English video in a German city? - Obviously the Germans are more generous?
If only that money goes straight to charity.. they send 10% or 15% of it to the poor and keep the rest!
Everyone donates from moral obligation. But doesn't think that from the 2euros the poor girl gets 50cents and no job tomorrow...
...and still, why don't ask the people in the big companies to donate 2 euros but the regular people, some of whom may have no job at all???
Yet we will buy gap, banana republic, Nike, old navy..etc...all clothing made in sweat shops.
so let's not pay them and just let them starve?
yes they pay what we consider nothing, but to them in the society, these are some of the highest paying and safest jobs available to them
and another money making racket to pulling donations and spent 80% of that money on CEO's pay checks, cars, property like most charities
A bit inaccurate and manipulative...but that's marketing. At least it gets people to think about where their clothes come from.
Then we all better stop shopping at H&M !!
The irony of this beeing done in Germany.They should watch how other european countries live because of them, before they buy ANYTHING!
It wasn't just American brands
Most people said western. That doesn't solely include Americans, don't be so narcissistic.
It's wasn't just American brands
expensive clothes shops use sweat shops.....
so very one sided. so you don't buy the shirt. then what. the cheap labour then starves. its about FAIR pay, not cheap pay, or worse NO pay.
so it was a scam for donation ..
same happens with a 40 € t-shirt.
Western companies build factories in Asia, in order to reduce costs and reap profits
Interesting. Let the comment arguments begin.
its the same with 50 euro shirts or shirts from companies like hugo boss, they all produce in countries like bangladesh because its cheap.
Those people have a job because you buy a shirt for 2 bucks. The government won't feed them so not buying a shirt could starve a family.
And the £10 T-shirts, who makes them?
Basically there was false advertising and extortion through pity, good job.
The real price is slavery... This does deserve a boicot.
I wonder what a homless person would do. I bet they would be amazed at being able to buy a new shirt for only two bucks
Crap! Who is making 20 eu or 50 eur tees? Big greedy brandy bosses? Yeah, right. One thing is campaign for help, but this just sucks
This is a crap! They make shirts in same conditions but some of THE BIG bosses like to earn more money so they charge a 15 or 25 eu per one
But if no ones buy the t-shirts, no one get paid at all, isn't it?
Isn't it better to pay for the shirt so they at list got the 30 cent salary paid instead of nothing?
The problem is if you buy a tshirt for £30. The workers still get 13cent per hour because you pay it for the company not for the workers
Yes of course nobody bought because everyone was watching. I bet they will still buy next time when they see a cheap Tshirt in a store
I am not even remotely suggesting that the system is fair, but I would happily buy the t-shirt and make a donation.
The only difference between $2 t-shirt and $20 t-shirt is that you pay the huge salaries of the european/usa traders and head office staff.
Were the shirts in the vending machine not contributing to the problem?
I think this idea should be all over the western world
For capitalism to work it has to be somebody who gets a lot less than others, how come people don't get it?
Cuz it's a cruddy part of society that no one should accept? We shouldn't have better lives than others just because of where we're born.
No, and I never said we should. I just asked why people don't get how capitalism work. And would you rather have communism?
I get downvoted coz I simply stated the fact..
I'd rather have a perfect world, and you are correct in hinting that such a thing will never exist. It doesn't mean we shouldnt try does it?