Retail, yes. Probably. 
I got a new grade-1 Keeley last year. I won't say how ( 
) because there will be a stampede but it was more than reasonably priced (read: cheaper than RRP), pingtastic, and cleared the rope (long side) on the first outing with little knocking. Here is the difference, GN-AUS whether thru a retailer or direct will cost an arm and a leg - they just don't budge on the price. For Keeleys, you can get cheaper deals if you look around; that's point 1 to Keeley. Second point is that Keeley do last. I have yet to hear about someone's Keeley breaking in nets but Kranzie's can be over dried - especially those meant for pros. That's point number# 2. Keeley 2, Kranzie 0.
I got 40% off my Aus GN from a bricks and mortar store, it is also pingtastic, it has even cleared the rope once or twice (lack of rope clearing definitely being user error). The demand for them is high, there's usually not many left in stores come sale times for the Australian market, these and more are factors in the prices being consistent for them, which follows on to my next point.
In regards to costing an arm and a leg, I think they are priced fairly in respect to the market, which from an Australian perspective, is pretty limited in terms of retailers, so there are far less people at the table trying to get a slice of the pie, hence fewer specials and less deals to be had. But there are absolutely still deals to be found if you're looking in the right places at the right times. And with Aus made bats at $329, $399 and $449 Ect...they are already priced very fairly in my opinion.
On your second point, pro bats aren't exactly made to last, and it's not really fair to generalise on both accounts, from my experience the one Keeley I've had was overpressed and a bit lifeless, my Aus made GN has been through at a guess 35 games + 2 training sessions a week over the last two years, and I use it on bowling machines and is a cannon and aside from some toe feathering, it's in as good condition as the day I purchased it, that doesn't mean all Keeley's are planks or that all Aus GNs are guns, these are just our experiences, and naturally they will influence our opinions, which are both valid.
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Topic: Inside the Gray Nicolls factory in Australia (Read 9541 times)