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Rave About Your Rack Please do not post retail SPAM.

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Aldi Special 4-Jul-2009 At 5:00:17 AM michaellane

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>EDIT:
>Omega pacific Rap ring here
>http://weijunpromotional.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008831056729/Showroom/3000000
>52802/19372/Rock-climbing-gear.htm
>

Thanks for posting this link and I thought I'd address it ...

That company is not a supplier nor a customer of Omega Pacific. We don't know who they are at all, actually, but are looking into it.

We actually manufacture about 90% of our entire line right in our own plant here in Washington State. Those items that we do contract out are built to our specifications by good and reputable companies.

On the larger issue, inexpensive gear is a good thing, especially in tough economic times, of course, but ... and I acknowledge I can't necessarily be completely impartial in this ... it's important to remember the benefits that come with supporting good brands.

Research and development isn't cheap. It's extremely costly, in fact. When you pay a little more for a name-brand belay device, for instance, than you might pay for an off-brand variant, you're actually investing in the future of climbing gear. Without that investment, companies can't move forward with new designs or technologies. Reverse engineering and knocking off existing goods is cheap and easy. It's why we don't see anything really new from these off-brand suppliers.

Should you ever have a problem with a piece of gear, it's vital that the company stand behind the product and work with you to resolve whatever issue you might have. Omega, for instance, has been in business for nearly three decades. We're at trade shows, climbing festivals and take an active role in the climbing community. We're invested in this industry and have a lot at stake; if the same can't be said about many of the inexpensive off-brands, why support them?

Not all "rated" products are equal. Getting CE or UIAA certifications on a product is only a minimum-level of standards and most excellent builders go beyond those specs to ensure consistency, quality and performance. And, to be honest, on several of the cheap off-brands' offerings, we've seen CE marks on the goods that were not, in fact, certified at all!

So, obviously, I wade into this discussion aware that I've got a self-serving angle on the issue, but even if I didn't depend on you to value a quality, name-brand to make my living, I'm still a climber ... I was a climber long before I became an Omega guy ... and I would still say the same thing. For those of you who do support Omega and the other brands that, like us, support the industry, push innovation and demand quality, I really thank you.

--ML

_____________________________
Michael Lane
Sales & Marketing Director
Omega Pacific
Airway Heights, Washington USA