Really perplexed by some low prices of small batch rod companies. Are they using cheap import blanks and is this OK?

These are companies that, when reviewing press write-ups, operate from small shops or garages with one-four people hand building out lines of fg and carbon rods and the prices are often starting at under $200 retail with case. I get how really large companies working on economies of scale, having factories in really cheap labor markets and having everything automated to the hilt can do this but how would a little outfit with a couple employees do such a thing without the blank (and everything else) being really cheap?

The 2nd thing I worry about is basically buying a couple dozen "brand" blanks for say $75 that is really just a $10 Chinese blank that has been marked up a few times in the supply chain to be sold one at a time to end users..

Am I wrong to try and buy from the main rod building suppliers for small batch production?


edit:

After re-reading my original post above I realize I came across as saying overseas blanks and Chinese blanks in particular are low quality and that's not fair. A blank bought in bulk at $15-20 and ultimately selling for $75-80 on a retail site is perfectly normal and the blank might well be very high quality. I should not have implied otherwise.

Roger is dead on that businesses have to make the best choices based on their business model. Very poorly worded post, sorry.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2022 11:00AM by Stephen White.

Stephen,
You have raised a bunch of great points.

The wonderful thing about running a business, is that you can do anything that you wish and no one will tell you that you are either right or wrong.

But, I suspect that you are right about small shops providing "inexpensive rod blanks".

There are significant costs and update with respect to actual manufacturing of fishing rod blanks.

So, it is entirely possible that some suppliers are buying blanks in "bulk" for a supplier and are simply reselling them. "Source unknown, on the actual blanks themselves".

Best wishes

Stephen

I sympathize with your concerns the only advice I can offer is to rely on established blank manufacturers, forums and customer loyalty.

Many many years ago a vendor gave me his business card and on the back it stated

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

. I keep it as a reminder when making special purchases.

Have fun

John

Stephen White Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Am I wrong to try and buy from the main rod
> building suppliers for small batch production?



Of course you aren't wrong , if you want quality then that's who you need to do business with . I have found CTS to be the most willing to do this type of thing , they're the only manufacturer that was willing to build me surf rod blanks to my personal specifications albeit I only ordered two at a time because they were for me not to sell to anybody else but they will build as many blanks as you want and the quality is superb.

Stephen,

If you need blanks for small batch production I can help... wether it is something we already produce or a private label ....it's what I do.


God Bless.

_______________________________
God Bless, Don Morse

800-516-1750 ext. 1207 / don@americantackle.us

Rod Building..... It's What We Do.