I think just moving the production to Taiwan creates a few issues-- do you charge the same price? Do you charge less? How would your existing customers feel who paid more? Or how many $2000 Taiwanese frames could you sell. I also see issues with having them made in the US. It is tough to be the middleman in a venture like that; everyone still needs to make a profit and that can make prices scary-high very fast. I think the first question is whether or not being made in Japan is an inherent part of the bike being an Atlantis (though I think some were made in WI). If GP feels like it ain't an Atlantis if it is made in Taiwan, then I think it is a good decision to kill it. I think part of the issue is that Toyo has been so closely tied to the Atlantis story-- everything you read about it mentions Toyo (the small frameshop, with only X numbers of builders). Buying an Atlantis seems like you are buying their craft. The Taiwanese frames seem to lack that-- we are not sold the builder as part of the deal. Not much about Maxway (is that their name?) on the Riv site, yet lots of their bikes come from there. I think that there must be a Toyo in Taiwan, and if there isnt, isnt this a great reason to start one? Let us know the Taiwan builders, sell us on THEIR craft, and keep making the Atlantis. Quality is product of care, effort, practice, and attention to detail, not of nationality.
Just a thought. Cheers! cm --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
