MrsHJ wrote:Bliney, this has all escalated a lot. It’s reasonable to be cautious for 2 reasons I think- 1. Big companies quite often knock off smaller companies ideas ( eg see Waitrose and hotel chocolat). I see this in my job quite a lot and China is a big concern on the infringement side.
2. Quality- can Aldi produce something that will be as robust and light as helinox for £20- maybe if they’re producing at volume but I’d be careful on that.
I tend to support the smaller companies as they keep bringing new ideas through. Having said that if anyone thinks it’s made with hélinox approval why not ask them eg on Twitter- you should pretty quickly get their official line on it!
I agree, although it does sometimes hold a mirror to the margins that are/were being made by the little guys whilst the going was good. In an area I know well, fly fishermen are busily buying reels direct from China at a fraction (think perhaps 20% max) of the previous price charged by brands for a CNC'd item.