You'll find this funny, I did

[Doby]

If I buy Thunder Power Batteries,,,what is the actual "American Content" of the batteries?
I suspect they get them as well from Asia and perhaps place an American made sticker on them........I suppose thats worth double to three times the price

[Hydromaniac]

If I buy Thunder Power Batteries,,,what is the actual "American Content" of the batteries?
I suspect they get them as well from Asia and perhaps place an American made sticker on them........I suppose thats worth double to three times the price

They are not 2-3 times less costly. If you compare the Polyquest cells on Hobby city's sight they are close to the same price as TP, Hyperions, Nues ECT. What I get if I purchase them and many other parts from and american company Even though I know they get them from overseas suppliers is usually better service in the event something does go wrong. A lot less hassel. That and I like the idea of keeping as much of my money in americans hands as possible.

[Punisher 67]

If I buy Thunder Power Batteries,,,what is the actual "American Content" of the batteries?
I suspect they get them as well from Asia and perhaps place an American made sticker on them........I suppose thats worth double to three times the price

How true that statement is

These little trinkets are $12.95 at my local hobby shop . one hell of a mark-up I'd say

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6589&Product_Name=Battery_Monitor_2-6S

I love buying American / Canadian when I can especially when the product is excellent and well made .....Neu motors are a great example . every Rc model I have is Neu powered . and even Neu arn't truely all American made

[Doby]

They are not 2-3 times less costly. If you compare the Polyquest cells on Hobby city's sight they are close to the same price as TP, Hyperions, Nues ECT. What I get if I purchase them and many other parts from and american company Even though I know they get them from overseas suppliers is usually better service in the event something does go wrong. A lot less hassel. That and I like the idea of keeping as much of my money in americans hands as possible.

Sorry, I was comparing the Zippy/ Rhino brand to the Thunder Powers when I was talking about the price.

[Doby]

How true that statement is

These little trinkets are $12.95 at my local hobby shop . one hell of a mark-up I'd say

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6589&Product_Name=Battery_Monitor_2-6S

I love buying American / Canadian when I can especially when the product is excellent and well made .....Neu motors are a great example . every Rc model I have is Neu powered . and even Neu arn't truely all American made

I have one of those, its a handy and quick check to make sure you don't use partially depleted LiPos!

[sailr]

They get the cells from Asia and assemble the packs here.

If I buy Thunder Power Batteries,,,what is the actual "American Content" of the batteries?
I suspect they get them as well from Asia and perhaps place an American made sticker on them........I suppose thats worth double to three times the price

[Flying Scotsman]

Wow, there is some serious name calling going on here.
RRR members helped me out in my early struggles to learn the hobby, as they were the only forum at that time for FE boating with knowledgeable people. That has changed with the advent of the OSE forum.
As far as Hobby City the products I have purchased were as advertised.
The battery issue: I use Thunder Power and have no complaints but the Zippy,Rhino recomendations from other members are very convincing. As Doby mentioned for sport useage I doubt you would notice a difference.
The only issue I have is that many of these Asian retailers will kill the local hobby shop and a buisness like OSE becase they do not declair the true value of the goods shipped and there is no duty charge. Bonus for us but hard for other companies to compete. Service with sales is my motto.

Douggie

[sailr]

There is no customs duty for toys/models/parts coming into the U.S. so it isn't that they are undervaluing, it doesn't matter! No issue there for us retailers here in the states. Our issue is that they sell so cheap that we can't stay in business if we try to match their pricing. What we do offer is immediate service and advice.

Wow, there is some serious name calling going on here.
RRR members helped me out in my early struggles to learn the hobby, as they were the only forum at that time for FE boating with knowledgeable people. That has changed with the advent of the OSE forum.
As far as Hobby City the products I have purchased were as advertised.
The battery issue: I use Thunder Power and have no complaints but the Zippy,Rhino recomendations from other members are very convincing. As Doby mentioned for sport useage I doubt you would notice a difference.
The only issue I have is that many of these Asian retailers will kill the local hobby shop and a buisness like OSE becase they do not declair the true value of the goods shipped and there is no duty charge. Bonus for us but hard for other companies to compete. Service with sales is my motto.

Douggie

[Bill-SOCAL]

They get the cells from Asia and assemble the packs here.

They got sued a couple of years ago for using the "Made in USA" label in California. We have a law here that stipulates the content that allows use of that label. It is a BS law, but they got caught by it and ended up being sued by a scum lawyer who went around looking for model companies to sue. Horizon, Castle and several others got caught as well.

[Flying Scotsman]

I was not aware of the no duty for the US, but the customer I presume in the USA would avoid brokerage and state/federal taxes based on a low declared value?
Edit
Please note in Canada we do have to pay these taxes if the item is over $25.00 and the brokerage fee if sent by UPS is a minimum of $25.00

Douggie

[Bill-SOCAL]

If you compare the Polyquest cells on Hobby city's sight they are close to the same price as TP, Hyperions, Nues ECT.

PolyQuest packs are made by Enerland. Pat at RC lipos sells them using his PolyRC label. Exact same Enerland made pack. I buy all my packs from Pat, even if they are made in Asia, at least a US guy is making some income off the sale.

Interesting thing. HC sells the PQ 4500 mAh 5S 25C pack for $209.99 plus shipping. Pat sells the exact same pack as PolyRC for $210.95 with free shipping

[Hydromaniac]

Thats my point

Douggie, Salir, That is why I'm overly reactive to guys trying to buy everthing at cheapest price and going with companies such as Hobby King. It is killing the LHS's and the specialty vendors such as your company, OSE, Wohlts racing products ect. Once our support is gone , these types of buinesses and things such as this and other forums will disappear as well. All to save a few dollars.

[Punisher 67]

Jeez I don't know about our local hobby shop being hard pressed for busyness , you have to go there during regular work hours and early in the morning to avoid the lineups , forget going on a Saturday , they are even open sundays . I spend lots everywhere , everyone has a hand in my back pocket ( hobby-stuff )

[Flying Scotsman]

Jeez I don't know about our local hobby shop being hard pressed for busyness , you have to go there during regular work hours and early in the morning to avoid the lineups , forget going on a Saturday , they are even open sundays . I spend lots everywhere , everyone had a hand in my back pocket ( hobby-stuff )

Peter, you are a beauty

Douggie

[Steven Vaccaro]

This started out about packs and turns to a namba/rrr hate thing. Lets move on or the mods or I will just close the thread.