Quote:
Originally Posted by M2M
Another factor to consider in the SCAT vs Burlington battle is quality.
A monopoly is always bad news for consumers. Burlington's exit may help explain why SCAT crank prices are up nearly 50% since their release in 2011 and why they've dropped the ball on quality control, see:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1418918286
At least SCAT was "man" enough to own up, take responsibility and make things right. Nevertheless, it would be a major headache to end up with a defective crank for a customer in Australia or Europe. If as a company you're going to boast about having your cranks machined in the USA then get it right, otherwise have them machined in China (the place the cranks are forged) and pass on the cost saving.
I would suggest to Burlington to also look at making a Model T crank as there are many potential customers there. And of course don't cut corners on quality and quality control, but do offer great customer service such as replying to customer feedback; something else that SCAT seems to have a problem with.
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"Dropped the ball on quality control"? REALLY??? 
I will talk with Brian McCullough as soon as they open this AM to find out the
truth in that situation (whether there is even any validity to it) however folks need to also understand that Chris Robinson was not without Q/C issues either with his Burlington. Therefore lets not jump to conclusions nor make accusations in this.
It also needs to be said how the new 'Burlington' could have also helped themselves tremendously if they would have been a little more 'open' with their wholesale customers to let us know what their plans were! I called several people (including Don Snyder) to find out what was going to happen, and no one seemed to know anything for certain! If what you are saying is even true, it would seem like SCAT is not the only one having a problem with communications!!
As for getting it right in USA vs. China getting it right, ....does that one really need to get debated here??
For those of us who are involved in motorsports will quickly tell you that SCAT has a superb reputation in the automotive aftermarket, ...and quite honestly, they do not need the Model-A or T business to survive. The only reason why they are even making crankshafts for the A & T is because they were approached by some top-quality engine builders wanting a better product. They did not come to the marketplace begging for customers.
I will close by saying that I TOTALLY disagree that Burlington needs to get into the Model-T crank business. What is wrong with supporting the two that are already making T crankshafts? Part of the issue in this hobby is when you already have a couple suppliers of a good product, adding more manufacturers to split the small market does nothing more than drive the cost up or the quality away. It also makes investors for future products gunshy. I have seen this over & over where a vendor chooses to go off-shore to find a manufacturer that will make something cheaper (like Model-A brake drums) after someone else has done the R&D and the Marketing. All this has done in the past is make it where the present two suppliers are struggling to get a ROI.
Like I said above, lets see when you the new crankshafts hit the market how they will price out and compare the quality before we start the 'bashing nonsense'.