$155 for new Chinese imports

[Surfdad]

I frequent a website called swaylocks.com. It's focused on board building. To the point, they have a classifieds section and there was a post from a Chinese manufacturer of surfboards. So I sent them an email and go this response back (direct cut n' paste)

Hello Jeff,

Thanks for your inquiry in Swaylocks.com It is only USD 155 for a short board in our factory. Would you like to get one? We are surfboards manufacturer in China. We offer to make any size of surfboards using the PU blanks, EPS foams and IXPS foams. All of them are with high quality and excellent price. If you have interests in ordering one, please provide the specs for the board that you like, as well as the designs and logos. We will arrange to make one for you. Looking forward to hear from you soon.

Thanks & Best regards



Jessica



UCSports Co.,Ltd.
Tell: +86-755-2716-4085
Fax: +86-755-2716-4085
Mobile: +86-132-6657-6905
www.ucsport.cn
skype:ucsports755

[Surfdad]

So what do folks think? $155 is 1/2 the cost of even the big three folks. They'll custom make the board at that cost, I think! I'm still trying to tie down if there is a minimum order quantity, but if not...would you opt for that over say a $300 Hyperlite?

[G-MONEY]

Holey crap my own custom board for $155.

[G-MONEY]

So what do folks think? $155 is 1/2 the cost of even the big three folks. They'll custom make the board at that cost, I think! I'm still trying to tie down if there is a minimum order quantity, but if not...would you opt for that over say a $300 Hyperlite?

Does a bear chit in the woods????

[Surfdad]

Yeah we still have to factor in shipping and that might be the deal breaker - but...want to open up your own wakesurf line for retail? That's pretty cheap cost to manufacture.

[da.bell]

Do you have to send the money to some company in the United Kingdom????

Would be interesting so see how well they are put together. How much lead paint there is in the board also.

IMO, I would be alittle reluctant on this "deal"...

[da.bell]

Yeah we still have to factor in shipping and that might be the deal breaker - but...want to open up your own wakesurf line for retail? That's pretty cheap cost to manufacture.

And get some high returns on this side.

[Surfdad]

I don't know - the quality sounds like it might be ok, they claim to use Dion Blanks and chemicals - they're mostly in Australia:

http://www.dionchemicals.com/blanks/blanks.html

and FCS fin system - pretty prominent here in the states.

[ragboy]

I frequent a website called swaylocks.com. It's focused on board building. To the point, they have a classifieds section and there was a post from a Chinese manufacturer of surfboards. So I sent them an email and go this response back (direct cut n' paste)

Hello Jeff,

Thanks for your inquiry in Swaylocks.com It is only USD 155 for a short board in our factory. Would you like to get one? We are surfboards manufacturer in China. We offer to make any size of surfboards using the PU blanks, EPS foams and IXPS foams. All of them are with high quality and excellent price. If you have interests in ordering one, please provide the specs for the board that you like, as well as the designs and logos. We will arrange to make one for you. Looking forward to hear from you soon.

Thanks & Best regards



Jessica



UCSports Co.,Ltd.
Tell: +86-755-2716-4085
Fax: +86-755-2716-4085
Mobile: +86-132-6657-6905
www.ucsport.cn
skype:ucsports755

I am going to throw in an opinion here, and you may disregard. Of course there is always the issue with quality that may arise. I have got a couple of chinese ATVs, and the quality is poor. But there is another issue.

When Inland Surfer, or ShredStixx or even Hyperlite create a board, you are not paying for the cost of manufacturing and a profit. You are paying for the R&D. These guys spend tons of time designing and working out shapes and such, then some chinese company reverse engineers a board for nothing, manufactures it for nothing and sells it.

IMO, by doing this, you hurt those inland surfers and such.

Sorry, do whatever you guys want, I just wanted to throw that in for thought. I get emails and calls all the time, at least weekly, trying to get me to outsource my software development work to india. They are relentless. They are MUCH cheaper, but I don't do it. For as long as I can, I want to put food on the table inside this country.

Anyway, food for thought.

[Timmy!]

I don't think Jeff is implying that you buy one of their "copies" but rather design your own shape and have them produce it and for $155....it sure is tempting!

[Surfdad]

I'm not invested in this one way or the other, so it's no problem to me. I think that Rag makes a valid point, with one concern - all of the manufacturers that Rag mentions, outsource to China for their manufacture.
Should we engage in a form of consumer protectionism and favor USA manufacturers?

That price tag is so appealing!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially after $4 / gal gas!!!!

[ragboy]

I don't think Jeff is implying that you buy one of their "copies" but rather design your own shape and have them produce it and for $155....it sure is tempting!

Then in the spirit of Roseanne Rosanna Danna, NEVERMIND. ;-)

[Surfdad]

Right Timmy, and I think Rag's concern is that they'll steal a design and do a knock off.

I just think the $155 price tag, if you can get the shipping reasonable makes that sort of purchase VERY ATTRACTIVE.

[G-MONEY]

At that price if the board sucks who cares at least it will look good and you can hang in on your wall.

[Surfdad]

LOLOLOL! I've spent as much on boards that I made and they were crap! I'd be better off drawing something on a napkin and shipping THAT to these folks.