Van Staal [SIZE="1"]made in china[/SIZE]

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Mike P

So, paying a machinist pennies an hour (assuming he's not a convict working for free) as opposed to whatever the going rate for a skilled machinist is in Tulsa (figure a minimum of $15/hour even in a non-union shop) doesn't warrant a price drop?

I'm sure the guy pouring castings in Tokyo is also making a decent wage, too--probably comparable to what an American was making at Penn casting reel bodies.

Pete, I know you're a pro staffer but you are way too much of an apologist for these guys. I can't accept that you can be objective on the subject of VS

I just offered my opinion. I know what it costs to make a Stella, I know what it costs to make a VS in the US, and I can guesstimate what it costs to make a Van Staal in China.

As for the rest of it, it's just what it is. It's not an apology. People asked a few questions so I answered. 1. They're made in China. 2. They look, feel, and are the same. Do what you want with the truth.

Lastly, I'm not a "pro-staffer"...

[spence]

Doesn't surprise me at all. This is a very common issue with many luxery goods.

A niche brand with a strong legacy struggles to maintain quality and profit. They are bought by a larger group who seeks to make profit from the brand identity, but to do so need to scale sales to a broader audience. The old production methods don't scale well so production is moved offshore where it's cheaper.

Then the brand is milked for all it's worth. While the new owner leverages the brand identity and touts the legacy quality to justify a continued high (or even higher price) the actual methods end up turning out something that simply wasn't what it once was.

Now that's not to say that you can't make a quality product in China, but it may not be what marketing continues to push.

Soon enough though, some smaller niche vendors will step up and start the cycle again.

-spence

[Diamond Tackle]

It must be Chistmas, cause Spence and I finally agree on something .

Zebco(wc Bradley co.) bought the BRAND name, whatever patents , & what is called "good will" thats all they really care about. Sure there was tooling and parts inventory ,but thats secondary.
They knew right from the getgo that manufacturing in china would give them economies of scale or whatever you wanna call it.
They want YOU, the Van Staal fanatic(and you guys really are fanatical about them I gotta say) to PUSH that Brand name while they reap all the profits.
The comparison with autos out of Japan in the '70's is not really a fair one. Japan had/has a work ethic . Qulity control is definitely not an easy task in China. Im sure Mattel Toys thought they had quality control sorted out pretty good too.
But, The product may ultimately be great, heck it may even IMPROVE in quality. Noone can guess what will happen, but one thing for sure, they wont be passing ANY savings on to you . They will just make more Van Staal hats with the new profits.

[Flaptail]

VanZebco Fabrique au Chinois, tres, tres, ow you say, Funny!

I love it!

[likwid]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

and I can guesstimate what it costs to make a Van Staal in China.

After tooling is complete?
Maybe $10.

God bless profit.

[JFigliuolo]

It is ALL about shareholder profit... nothing else.

[shadow]

I was told that when zebco first took over that they were making the parts overseas and assembling them here.don't know how true it was but this could have been happening for awhile.and it seems that nothing ever goes down in price wishfull thinking however.

[lurch]

Those Chinese pirates will make a knock off for 1/10th the price so everyone will be able to buy one.

In my industry (IP network devices) Huawei has copied Cisco's products so it is only a matter of time until we will see a Chinese knockoff of a VS.

[BassDawg]

Originally Posted by lurch

Those Chinese pirates will make a knock off for 1/10th the price so everyone will be able to buy one.

In my industry (IP network devices) Huawei has copied Cisco's products so it is only a matter of time until we will see a Chinese knockoff of a VS.

Hey Joe P, I think that Mike was more referrring to the outside of the VStaal plant, knock-off mfging of The, yet to be released, Von Stelisahn.

Made the same way, made with the same parts, made by the same people who'll be making yer '08 Van Staals, just their rip-off version at 1/2 the price. Ain't corporate Amercia/China grand?

[Diamond Tackle]

Originally Posted by lurch

Those Chinese pirates will make a knock off for 1/10th the price so everyone will be able to buy one.

In my industry (IP network devices) Huawei has copied Cisco's products so it is only a matter of time until we will see a Chinese knockoff of a VS.

You know, you might be onto something here. Maybe thats why they have so many security cameras in the factory. Not so much for the quality team to observe and make corrections, but rather to prevent a spy or even employee from stealing some tooling or blueprints. Not like it has never happened before.
Interesting.

[HESH2]

super interesting,how many of our wifes,girlfreinds,daughters have all the high end handbags.it seems they all have them.i know my wife has more than 1(its a woman thing) and at least are a couple of knock offs.so just a matter of time.day shift will make the vs's,night shift will copy and make knock offs out the back door.the more i think about all these woman with high end pocketbooks,go out and spend $$$$ on some high end fish gear.

[Justfishin']

Like Nebe said:
"Why are all of you so surprised?
van stall is now owned by friggen ZEBCO... Of course this was going to happen."
And Bart:
"what a bunch of bullshat. how is the price not going to drop? they obviously moved the operations over there so that the cost of manufacturing would be less.
F VS. i'll be fishing my 704s until they explode.....which isn't going to happen anytime soon..."

I agree with these guys, another once good product is going by the wayside. I remember when they first came out 20(?)yrs ago-serious reels. I knew Zebco was the end.
I bought 6 parts reels for my U.S. Penns so I've got enough parts till I can buy a lathe and milling machine-......and I'll make my own damn reel.

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