i have a work trip to Asia in 6 weeks.thinking of taking a trip to a few factories or distribute and seeing if i can get any crazy deals, or if its possible to buy no-name brand kites direct from the factories.
just wondering if anybody has a list of kite manufacturers or distributers.
for arguments sake...
i HAVE ALWAYS bought from local stores.... i will still be buying from local stores, and i update my gear every 18 months.
but for novelty purposes id like to try get my hands on something from over there.not even sure if its possible in single or small quantities yet.if anybody knows where the Cab, slingshot, LF, naish etc factories are please let me know.PM if you feel better about it.
they wont legally be able to sell to you from the factory door in most cases. and your going to need to be able to speak fluent chinese if your going to convince a factory worker to steal one and sell it to you out the back door.
i suggest you just contact the manufacturer directly and ask for a tour.
had some good times convinceing some pretty flash realestate types that i was a wealthy lunatic and would bring a friend as an interpretor in japan had to be tokyo had to be roof top. got some incredible photos and some of the best meals of my life out of that little scheme, maybe try pull something simular ? i dont know...china is tricky cant waltz in there and say your checking out working conditions for an overseas org or anything
Good luck with that one. Non of the manufacturer will tell you where they build. Some people know through few leaks.
As a manufacturer, we know all the factories and which brands they are making.
When we have meetings with new factories, we cant even go through the production line unless they remove all the kites from other brands.
We have access to the production lines when our production is running. Usually no picture allowed and we are with the production manager all the time.
This is also why we choose those factories. We dont want random people looking at our gear that we havent released yet.
You could probably get access to some dodgy factory that also sell crap copies on alibaba. those are easy to find.
Good trip in Asia
When you find one they may have factory seconds, a nod and a wink here's your slingy link
Select to expand quoteboon said...
Good luck with that one. Non of the manufacturer will tell you where they build. Some people know through few leaks.
As a manufacturer, we know all the factories and which brands they are making.
When we have meetings with new factories, we cant even go through the production line unless they remove all the kites from other brands.
We have access to the production lines when our production is running. Usually no picture allowed and we are with the production manager all the time.
This is also why we choose those factories. We dont want random people looking at our gear that we havent released yet.
You could probably get access to some dodgy factory that also sell crap copies on alibaba. those are easy to find.
Good trip in Asia
Like it is hard to find out. LAM sails for example makes kites for several reputable brands. But if you think they will sell any direct you are dreaming.
Approx 2 years ago I was thinking of being a distributor for a certain brand, it was a very simple process tbh , the kites averaged around the $400 mark plus bar plus shipping plus duty import taxes plus a crap rate of exchange , soon adds up
Select to expand quoteWoott said..boon said...
Good luck with that one. Non of the manufacturer will tell you where they build. Some people know through few leaks.
As a manufacturer, we know all the factories and which brands they are making.
When we have meetings with new factories, we cant even go through the production line unless they remove all the kites from other brands.
We have access to the production lines when our production is running. Usually no picture allowed and we are with the production manager all the time.
This is also why we choose those factories. We dont want random people looking at our gear that we havent released yet.
You could probably get access to some dodgy factory that also sell crap copies on alibaba. those are easy to find.
Good trip in Asia
Like it is hard to find out. LAM sails for example makes kites for several reputable brands. But if you think they will sell any direct you are dreaming.
It's not hard to find them if you really want. I agree with you that they will not sell direct.
And they will probably not offer you a visit of the full factory either.
Select to expand quotecauncy said..
Approx 2 years ago I was thinking of being a distributor for a certain brand, it was a very simple process tbh , the kites averaged around the $400 mark plus bar plus shipping plus duty import taxes plus a crap rate of exchange , soon adds up
youll find distro is ruffly 50% of RRP with all sporting goods.
its a bit like the choclate aisle in woolies or coles, dont buy any unless its 1/2 price otherwise your just a mug
benoit :) how would i go about finding which factory makes your kites :P do i just check the bar and join the dots? (guessing you have taken off the bws logo's etc now)
Select to expand quoteKozzie said..cauncy said..
Approx 2 years ago I was thinking of being a distributor for a certain brand, it was a very simple process tbh , the kites averaged around the $400 mark plus bar plus shipping plus duty import taxes plus a crap rate of exchange , soon adds up
youll find distro is ruffly 50% of RRP with all sporting goods.
its a bit like the choclate aisle in woolies or coles, dont buy any unless its 1/2 price otherwise your just a mug
benoit :) how would i go about finding which factory makes your kites :P do i just check the bar and join the dots? (guessing you have taken off the bws logo's etc now)
If it's simple and it works, why change it?
Save heaps of $$ in R&D by using a working prototype.
Select to expand quoteKozzie said..cauncy said..
Approx 2 years ago I was thinking of being a distributor for a certain brand, it was a very simple process tbh , the kites averaged around the $400 mark plus bar plus shipping plus duty import taxes plus a crap rate of exchange , soon adds up
youll find distro is ruffly 50% of RRP with all sporting goods.
its a bit like the choclate aisle in woolies or coles, dont buy any unless its 1/2 price otherwise your just a mug
benoit :) how would i go about finding which factory makes your kites :P do i just check the bar and join the dots? (guessing you have taken off the bws logo's etc now)
Checking the bar might give you some indication of where we get the parts but we assemble and build our kites somewhere else. As a small company, we cannot afford to buy a 30k$ mold for a quick release. We are happy to buy parts from the BWS guys. It's helping us, it's helping them!
Select to expand quoteUnderoath said...Kozzie said..cauncy said..
Approx 2 years ago I was thinking of being a distributor for a certain brand, it was a very simple process tbh , the kites averaged around the $400 mark plus bar plus shipping plus duty import taxes plus a crap rate of exchange , soon adds up
youll find distro is ruffly 50% of RRP with all sporting goods.
its a bit like the choclate aisle in woolies or coles, dont buy any unless its 1/2 price otherwise your just a mug
benoit :) how would i go about finding which factory makes your kites :P do i just check the bar and join the dots? (guessing you have taken off the bws logo's etc now)
If it's simple and it works, why change it?
Save heaps of $$ in R&D by using a working prototype.
You can get a pretty awesome deal on new old stock if you
are able to be patient and so some hunting on the net!
Hi
spent maybe 30 hour work trying to chase the china kite factories to sell me a package deal when i was
importing products from china few years ago.
I had a Chinese local who help with the language and orders for different products etc which was a must as in china they do think
differently.
long story short there is no way any reputable china factory handling name brands to one off guys and risk there contracts to world distributors for one off sales.
I did take the chance and buy from one of the factories selling online ,kites and gear was just complete rubbish,nothing like brand name contacts which are under strict manufacturing guild lines.
Save yourself the time and trouble and find a good deal here. 
A few years back I was going on a business trip to Vietnam. (ozone are made in Vietnam). So I made enquiries if I could look through the factories. No dice was the short answer.
I contacted the local ozone reseller in Vietnam and could buy kites from him. The price was good because there was no freight charges or duties ect. The work trip got canned and I never bought the kites. But that might be another option for you. Perhaps buying through a local reseller may still yield good savings?
My last 9 kites & bars have cost $5500.
They averaged around the 18 month mark in age when I purchased them. All had no damage- I just damage them later. 
All purchased locally here in Australia. Seabreeze & Gumbee.
Id rather enjoy my holiday kiting - not looking at sweat shops.
Select to expand quotePlummet said..
A few years back I was going on a business trip to Vietnam. (ozone are made in Vietnam). So I made enquiries if I could look through the factories. No dice was the short answer.
I contacted the local ozone reseller in Vietnam and could buy kites from him. The price was good because there was no freight charges or duties ect. The work trip got canned and I never bought the kites. But that might be another option for you. Perhaps buying through a local reseller may still yield good savings?
its good to remember that the local distributor also has very strict guidelines where he is not allowed to sell under XX% or over XX% as with the factories he also doesnt just get in **** and loose his contract but they will also take legal action against him
so you gotto liquor him up first share your misses buy him a massage or perform one yourself whatever it is you can do then you will have a better chance at getting good price 
.
