Topic: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions (Read 3052 times)

joeljonno · « **on:** March 05, 2013, 12:47:33 PM »

I had two Puma's for sale, both in the 6000 range, both pretty much brand new. The Bionic was made in India and the Cobalt was made in the UK.

I was made an offered and accepted. As it was from someone who wasn't at the other end of the country, we decided to save on postage and meet in the middle. I took both bats so he could pick and choose.

He tried them both and preferred the pick up and weight of the Bionic, the Cobalt being slightly heavier. I explained my preference and the reasons, but he was still leaning towards the Bionic until I mentioned where they were made (as stated on the top of the handle).

Once he was aware of it, he eventually changed his mind and took the Cobalt, which surprised me and is a shame as I really liked that bat and would have kept and used it if the Bionic had gone. When asked, he stated that he likes and prefers to know that a bat is UK made.

I am aware that as a forum, we should support the UK trade, but I was unaware that it would influence a decision that much to change someone�s mind about which bat to have.

It's interesting to learn more about people every day.

ppccopener · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:01:39 PM »

dont think there is anything on the forum that means you should support the UK trade but I would guess there are quite a few of us who prefer UK made bats

I would not buy one from India or Pakistan when there is so much available in the UK

each person will have their own reasons for buying a particular bat,some like certain brands but it definatley influences me

I can't recall ever having a non-uk made bat

Kieron_BT · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:10:57 PM »

Apologies for taking your favourite!

Its quite ironic actually that I spent most of the time driving home and most of last night thinking about my decision and actually suprised myself that it made such a difference to me, this was actually the first time I had to make the decision and something told me to take the UK made bat.

My thinking was that the Bionic had larger edges and yet was still lighter than the Cobolt, if these were both UK made I would have just accepted that it was a slightly lighter bit of willow or so on, but when I heard it was Indian made it made me think that the willow had not been pressed as well at the UK made bat and therefore the fibers would be 'looser' and possibly more prone to damage.

Then again after 'swinging' the Cobolt most of last night in my living room, the pick up is immense on this one also!

I could be (and probably am) completely wrong in my thinking about the pressing but am very, very pleased with the bat and can't wait to use it!

Was a pleasure to meet you last night

Kieron

Hammer Cricket · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:22:50 PM »

my POV

I spent a lot of time and a few bucks deciding where my bats will be made. At the very top of my priorities was i wanted the best bat possible regardless of price so as to never has an issue with credibility. i always wanted bats that the majority of people would like.. The problem with indian and pakistan bats is this and please note im speaking generally.

Indians like indian made bats ( SS, SG etc )
Pakistanis like pakistan made bats ( CA, IHsan etc )
English like english made bats ( GM, Woodstock, newbery, salix ets )
Aussies like indian / Aussie made bats ( Kook, GN etc )

The best bats come from england....whether thats true or not, the majority of people believe this. there are of course exceptions like Laver and Wood etc. but overall that little sticker thats says ( made in england ) carries a lot of weight with people.

joeljonno · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:24:03 PM »

I must admit, the Bionic is soft and will take a lot of knocking in, but they'll both be top bats. Like I said, I also prefer the Cobalt but will use the Bionic if I have to...

MD2812 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:29:31 PM »

I would have made the same decision.

I may not be right, but I have a general trust in British made bats and more scepticism behind Asian made bats.

One thing behind this is working conditions. Every time we see a UK workshop they are spacious, tidy, well equipped. When I see pictures of Indian workshops the crafter is sat on the floor, hundreds of clefts next to him and is shaping the bat whilst holding it still with his feet. I would find some photos but it would be easy to find ones bias to my personal belief.

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:34:10 PM »

I made a wine influenced topic on this subject a little while ago. Hopefully an interesting read for anyone who can slog through it all.

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=22352.msg358711#msg358711

Kieron_BT · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:34:49 PM »

It seems I had the same thought process as most

Probably like most of us though its all about what you know, and if I hadn't have known they were made in different parts of the world i'd have never been able to tell

Tom · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:40:13 PM »

When you explicitly state where they're made and offer the choice between 2 similar bats at a similar price, then people will go for the UK made.

But 99% of people don't care enough to search out where a bat was made or who by.

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:54:45 PM »

I have always felt that Asian bats 'change' as they take on the moisture from our glorious UK climate. I don't want a bat that 'changes' I don't know what it's going to change into! Therefore I buy bats that are made in the UK. I also question a lot of the working conditions in Asia, the attention to detail and the follow up customer service. As good as it may be I can't imagine it would come close to what you get from the UK manufacturers. Simple logistics would dictate that getting something replaced or sorted out is much easier/quicker if you are both in the same country!

Anyway, we should support the UK batmaking industry. If we don't then who will?

ppccopener · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2013, 02:07:54 PM »

absolutley agree with that.A lot of our Asian guys now looking for UK made bats-we have one guy just brought back a CA 15000 top of the range from Pakistan.it's so big it looks like a pumped up KFC chicken.He's knocked it in like no-ones business and it's splitting all over the shop at nets because it's over-dried.
I've had 4 Asian guys ask me at nets to look out for a UK bat for them now,they dont want the importer ones anymore.
there is of course, good and bad wherever they are made but you want a bat to last for �160.00(the price of the CA in Pakistan currency)

Buzz · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2013, 02:17:13 PM »

I have an Indian bat, Pak bat and uk made bats.
All are decent enough and I have had no problems with any of them...

I am not fussy, I just like a bat which feels good in the hands.

tim2000s · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2013, 02:28:01 PM »

I find this fascinating. Assuming the exchange rate is 1:1 and you can get one of the following which would you choose?

A SCat, made in Oz, with UK labour standards
A Laver, made in New Zealand with UK labour standards
An H4L, made in the UK
An SS, made by their top batmaker in India

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2013, 02:32:26 PM »

Not sure but the SS would be at the bottom of the list.....!

Kieron_BT · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2013, 02:41:58 PM »

Quote from: tim2000s on March 05, 2013, 02:28:01 PM

I find this fascinating. Assuming the exchange rate is 1:1 and you can get one of the following which would you choose?

A SCat, made in Oz, with UK labour standards
A Laver, made in New Zealand with UK labour standards
An H4L, made in the UK
An SS, made by their top batmaker in India

Not sure but I recon a poll thread should be started to see which one would be favourite!

Poll

Assuming the exchange rate is 1:1 and you can get one of the following which would you choose?

Author Topic: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions (Read 3052 times)

joeljonno

How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

ppccopener

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

Kieron_BT

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

Hammer Cricket

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

joeljonno

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

MD2812

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

Vitas Cricket

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

Kieron_BT

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

Tom

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

PedalsMcgrew

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

ppccopener

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

Buzz

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

tim2000s

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

PedalsMcgrew

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions

Kieron_BT

Re: How 'where it's made' influences peoples decisions