Chinese gear

[zeolite]

O.K. Who has been brave enough to exchange their hard earned for Chinese equipment?

China is just a quick hop from me and I see the stuff on ebay looking temptingly cheap and yet.......

Any advice from those who have braved it?

[Wildfisher]

Much of the stuff we buy is Chinese made even if we don't often realise it and not just fishing gear

[corsican dave]

I came across a Chinese factory advertising hand-built cane rods. to cut a long story short, they were incredibly cheap; £25-ish? something like. the first one turned up within a week of ordering. it was hopelessly warped. the factory couldn't have been nicer. within a couple of days they'd sent out two more for me  unfortunately they weren't really much better.... :roll:
once again, they couldn't have been more helpful: complete refund on receipt of my e-mail and told me to keep the rods!! :shock: so, quality shite but customer service exemplary :lol:

however, I have been using "cheap" Chinese braid as backing for some time. it's under a tenner for 500m as you can see
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dyneema-Spectra-Extreme-Braided-Fishing-Line-100M-300M-500M-1000M-Army-Green-/201073181802?var=&hash=item2ed0e5446a:m:mDT8It3c-jDvrDL3HpALduA

if you search you'll see they do various types & colours. the company is agepoch from hong kong and I can assure you the quality is absolutely bang on. a couple of very big pike and some incredibly hard-running carp are testament to it!

[Wildfisher]

I bought a split cane rod from China ---    Zhu?

Brilliant quality cost under £100 I think. Two top sections.  A thing of beauty but I never use it. Next to useless in a headwind.

[bibio1]

I buy small stuff from Chinese shops on eBay like snips and zingers. I bought a wading staff as well. It's all been good quality and remarkably cheap. Postage is usually free.

[Wildfisher]

Postage is usually free.

and often amazingly fast

[loch coulter]

bought 6 flyboxes over the last couple of years, small swing leaf similar to cf design but not same quality but £20 for the lot!=excellent

[Its Me]

what web sites are you seeing this chinese stuff on.

                         A

[Wildfisher]

ebay is full of it

[Inchlaggan]

As is Amazon, watch for cheap stuff, free delivery (even on items costing less than a fiver) BUT a long time to delivery. "Sourcingmap" is one supplier to look out for.
As an example, from yesterday, a toggle clamp for woodworking, £11 at Axminster Tools UK (plus postage) 2 for £4 (free postage) from China.