I can’t help but notice all the negativity that anglers on several web-sites post in regards to many fishing reels, particularly, Penn and Abu reels being made in Asia (China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, etc.). So, while I have a little down-time this week, I looked at some of my fishing gear, household appliances, autos, etc. and started to ask myself “What’s the big deal” about a couple of fishing reels now being made in Asia. First of all, this is not a post about national pride, diverse cultures, politics, international economics, pointing the finger at any nationality, or national security, etc.

Here’s what I learned looking at some items in my house:

1. Black and Decker Can opener (Made in China)
2. Docker Socks-(Made in Ghana and Korea)
3. Docker shoes (Made in Brazil)
4. Redfins (Made in Mexico)
5. VMC Hooks (Viva la France !)
6. Chevy Impala (USA)
7. Chevy Blazer (USA)
8. Nissan/Honda/Lexis/Toyota (Japan)
9. Kia and Hundai (Korea)
10. Damiler/Chrysler Pacifica (USA/Germany)
11. Berkely and Ande Monofilament (USA)
12. Orvis Waders (China)
13. Redington Waders (Thailand)
14. Hodgeman Boots and Waders (China)
15. Old Penn Reels (USA- some had premature bail flips, screws loosening-up, and out-of-wack gears; others were heavy workhorses)
16. New Penn Reels (Asia-???)
17. Old Abus 7000s (Sweden)
18. New Abu 7000s (Asia)
19. All my TV sets and computer equipment (ASIA)
20. Nike Sneakers (China)

O.K. you get the point. I can actually remember when many Americans thought that Japanese cars were poorly made and CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. but I’ll be bruatly honest, I spent more money on repairs to my Chevy Impala and Chevy Blazer in the first two years of ownership, than I spent in 15 years of owning foreign cars.

If the Warranties behind the product are fundamentally identical to what they were when the reels were being made in the country of origin, what else matters. So, my question to you is very specific. Has the quality or the build standard of the product worsened, been changed, or has it improved ? I will ask you to please state specific facts about your Penn and ABU experiences, not your emotional responses or response in connection with national pride. (I will put this on a couple of sites as I’m very interested to know what others think)

Thanks

I almost forgot. High quality, hand crafted striped bass plugs-Made In The USA (thank you, thank you, thank you)

Toyota lexus made in USA engine in Japan?:read:

There's no such thing as a car made in the USA. Even if it's assembled here the parts are probably sourced from a few dozen countries at least.

And at the rate things are going most of our cars will be assembled here made from foreign components by Asian owned companies. Chances are we'll be better off for it.

Being made in China doesn't necessarily mean it's lower quality...but given that the reason most companies move manufacturing there is to cut cost you can most likely make that assumption.

While I can't always, I do try to avoid Chinese made goods where possible. Especially on clothes. Looked at a thousand dollar cashmere sweater the other day, made in China :scream2:

-spence

I remember a time when "made in japan" equaled poor quality merchandise. That's all changed now and I actually look for goods that are manufactured there. No doubt that China goods are undergoing the same sort of transformation in quality that Japanese goods did. I'd love it if we were still making lots of stuff here, but we've got a global economy now, and I believe that it's here to stay. As long as I'm getting good quality for my $$$, I can live with "made in china."...like I really have a choice.

Valentine

Toyota lexus made in USA engine in Japan?:read:

Toyotas are mostly made in the US--more accurately, assembled in the US from parts from all over the place.

I'm pretty sure the Lexus is still assembled in Japan.

I think it's the same deal with Nissan/Infiniti and Honda/Acura.

Did you ever see the look on an unknowing face when you tell them thier Lexus is a toyota? Its really good to watch.:D

There was a time when the chinese made nothing but junk,that time passed about 10 years ago.

Yeah, but it would be nice if we could buy reasonably-priced quality merchandise that was providing jobs for Americans and strengthening our economy. If all other factors were equal, I'd always buy American.

I have no problem buying anything made anywhere. The problem I have is paying too much for something made elsewhere.

Stuff is made elsewhere because the labor rates are cheap. And I mean cheap. Far less than $1 an hour in most third world countries.

So I ask....why am I still paying $65 dollars for a pair of sneakers. When the cost of materials plus labor is probably less than $8.? Because the big companies are only doing this for one reason......to increase thier profit margin by a multitude.

Although people working in sweatshops are making more money in thier country than someone that is not, it is still a very criminal way of life for them and any big company should be ashamed.