Are all genuine Shimano Reels made in Malaysia?

[breakthelines]

Just looking at my new Stradic box and see that they are made and printed in Malaysia, just about to leave for that very destination for a 3 week holiday and wondering if someone knows where I can buy genuine Shimano gear! ;D

[sleepygreg]

by what do you mean "genuine shimano gear". Shimano are just like every other tackle manufacturer, they source a lot of their product from 'external' suppliers. I believe they still have a factory in Malaysia...but I will stand corrected on that one. I have been in the 'show room' of a factory in Shenzen in China, and in there at the same time were people from Daiwa and Shimano placing orders for various reels ( I was there as the guest of Tica). Its a bit like going into the local GMH dealer and asking for a 'genuine Holden'. In the global market companies cannot set themselves up to manufacture everything they sell anymore......they must outsource many products and services, and a lot of these products are sold to other 'manufacturers' with cosmetic and minor engineering differences....hard cold economics. Everything is built to a price and a specification.

[breakthelines]

As in real shimano not copies.

[sleepygreg]

what is a "real shimano" ?

What part of my post didnt you understand?

[sleepygreg]

Let me be a bit more specific....the only reels that were made in Malaysia were the Baitrunners, and the Tritons (including the Tiagras)...all the rest were sourced out of various factories in china ( i thinkk there may have been a couple of others from Malaysia...but not many)

[frankgrimes]

Hey Greg - I think he's talking about "copies" - i.e. As in how you can purchase "genuine" rolex watches for $10 in Malaysia etc. He wants to know if there is a "legit" shop in Malaysia were he can purchase Shimano.

[breakthelines]

That is what I meant Frank, I also read on an USA forum like this that most of the shimano gear is now made in Malaysia now only certain reels in Japan.

[whiteman]

If it says "Made in Japan" it's probably a copy unless it is the very high end reels. TLDs and the like are made in Malaysia from what I can fathom. And the Malaysians seem to have a problem with putting much grease inside so good idea to check - my recent TLD and Tyrnos were both low on grease - a common issue on forums.

[deepfried]

Just looking at my new Stradic box and see that they are made and printed in Malaysia, just about to leave for that very destination for a 3 week holiday and wondering if someone knows where I can buy genuine Shimano gear! ;D

Best bet would be to find a decent tackle shop in Kuala Lumpur or other major city. I think the rip offs would be mainly in the market and tourist areas.