Since starting my own business 4 years ago, I have made a conscientious effort to support American businesses, preferably ones in the same or surrounding states. This can be quite challenging and often I am forced to go to the next best alternative, which is finding a product produced by one of our close allies.
So, I have done some searching to find an American made net and have stumbled across some very shady marketing tactics. Apparently, many fishing suppliers in the U.S. are savvy to the fact that many anglers would prefer to support and purchase products that are made in the USA. While searching for a net at Scheels, I discarded the many nets stamped with "Made in China," and managed to come across a nice wooden handled net, whose workmanship and price stood out above its peers. However, I couldn't find any stamp revealing the net's origins, other than a bi-fold cardboard information piece that stated that the net came from a company based in Nevada. To many, this would appear to indicate that the net is made in Nevada. I decided that given the price, it'd be worth calling just to make sure. I should also mention that one of the sales representatives at Scheels stated that he believed the net had been made in the USA because of the price, the "quality" of the wood, and the little information piece that was attached to the handle.
After inquiring about the origins of the net from one of the reps, from the Nevada-based dealer, I soon found out that the net is Chinese tried and true. I mentioned that the lack of a stamp and the company's informative piece are a little deceiving to the would be buyer, who wanted to buy an American product. These words were likely wasted.
Right now, I am in the process of waiting to hear back from Ranger Products, which is a company based out of Michigan. The site mentioned that the founder was a Ranger and also states that most of the products are made in the USA. Because this company doesn't provide a phone number, I had to fill out an e-comment card/ contact card and am hoping that they get back to me before a week's up, which is only a few days away.
If you are able to support American companies, please buy made in the USA.
*****November 3, 2012 Update*****
A Ranger Products representative responded to my message and explained that all of the rubber netting is produced in Taiwan or China. No rubber netting is produced in the U.S. I left a message for Mike, from Blue Ribbon Nets, and I am interested to here if he says the same thing. According to Blue Ribbon Nets' "About" page, they state:
The pride that goes into every net gives it the lasting touch that makes it unique to you. Blue Ribbon makes it a point to use only North American woods and offers a product made in the USA. We have developed and manufacture our own net bags from a fine soft mesh. These bags feature a double taped flat center seam, resulting in a bag that is long lasting and gentle on fish. This design and method of construction is unequaled in the industry.
I guess this doesn't mention wooden nets with rubber netting. All the same, it would be interesting to hear from Mike.
*****November 12, 2012 Update*****
Well, since my last post on this topic, there's some good and bad.
First, the bad. The Ranger Rep and I corresponded some more and he seemed to hint that even the mesh netting used in most Ranger products is not produced in the U.S. I came to this conclusion when I inquired whether the current Ranger net I own features all major components produced in the U.S. His response was let me recommend you to someone who might be making the kind of nets that you're looking for. He also mentioned the competitive costs associated with making nets. So, he didn't come outright and tell me that the mesh was produced in China or Taiwan, but he mine's well have the way he deflected my inquiry with a recommendation to do business elsewhere.
The real shame from my correspondence with Ranger Products is that the website and what's what don't seem to be on the same page. Again, many companies don't mind prospective customers assuming that their products are made in the U.S.A., when they really aren't.
The good. This morning, I received a callback from Mike with Blue Ribbon Nets. No, the turnaround time leaves a lot to be desired, but the news is good. He assured me and even provided information for follow-up checking that all of the major components, including the rubberized rings, are manufactured in the state of Montana. I plan on checking up with the manufacturer just to verify before making a purchase. These nets are not cheap, but in my estimation, well worth it.
*****November 3, 2012 Update*****
A Ranger Products representative responded to my message and explained that all of the rubber netting is produced in Taiwan or China. No rubber netting is produced in the U.S. I left a message for Mike, from Blue Ribbon Nets, and I am interested to here if he says the same thing. According to Blue Ribbon Nets' "About" page, they state:
The pride that goes into every net gives it the lasting touch that makes it unique to you. Blue Ribbon makes it a point to use only North American woods and offers a product made in the USA. We have developed and manufacture our own net bags from a fine soft mesh. These bags feature a double taped flat center seam, resulting in a bag that is long lasting and gentle on fish. This design and method of construction is unequaled in the industry.
I guess this doesn't mention wooden nets with rubber netting. All the same, it would be interesting to hear from Mike.
*****November 12, 2012 Update*****
Well, since my last post on this topic, there's some good and bad.
First, the bad. The Ranger Rep and I corresponded some more and he seemed to hint that even the mesh netting used in most Ranger products is not produced in the U.S. I came to this conclusion when I inquired whether the current Ranger net I own features all major components produced in the U.S. His response was let me recommend you to someone who might be making the kind of nets that you're looking for. He also mentioned the competitive costs associated with making nets. So, he didn't come outright and tell me that the mesh was produced in China or Taiwan, but he mine's well have the way he deflected my inquiry with a recommendation to do business elsewhere.
The real shame from my correspondence with Ranger Products is that the website and what's what don't seem to be on the same page. Again, many companies don't mind prospective customers assuming that their products are made in the U.S.A., when they really aren't.
The good. This morning, I received a callback from Mike with Blue Ribbon Nets. No, the turnaround time leaves a lot to be desired, but the news is good. He assured me and even provided information for follow-up checking that all of the major components, including the rubberized rings, are manufactured in the state of Montana. I plan on checking up with the manufacturer just to verify before making a purchase. These nets are not cheap, but in my estimation, well worth it.
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