Davej wrote:
If I had seen them on Ebay I would have been much more suspicious. I saw them for $15.30 at a local store which sells Buckingham and Samson.

A few of the larger True Value Hardware stores sell gear from both of those companies as well as Weaver Leather, Kong, some CMI stuff and New England rope. The also sell Petzl biners right next to the cheaper Fusion ones. That's why I bought my Fusion "Rescue" steel biners. They were a lot cheaper than the petzl units. I've spoken to my local store owner about this subject. He said there is a package that stores in the "group" get. The stores don't actually order specific items unless a customer requests something. The items just "come in" with the regular order. It's not the individual store who has the power in this case. It's the True Value corporate office. Go figure. Big business often sells the cheapest made items to the unsuspecting public, even if they ARE for the purpose of protecting human life.

I read a bit about this company and they do not sound to me like a reputable company that I want to hand my body from 50 feet up in the air by one of their low price ( made in China)binners.
Their ratings are screwy, their web page is lousy. It does not even show where they are made and the fact they are have regular "close out sales" on line on E-bay. Uhmmm!

I rather pay a little bit more and be secure that I get a Petzl or CMI, ISC even one made for REI or one of the other reputable manufacturers that have been in business for a long time and Meet USA-ANSI and EC standards.
Just the fact they also make Key chains makes me wonder.

But every climber is responsible for his/her own safety as previously mentioned by Tom D. Be careful what gear you buy, 'cause your life is hanging from it!

I can get a good PETZL, DMM, Kong, or Omega Pacific binner from REI, New Tribe, Wesspur or Sherrill for around $15 to $25 bucks. I think my life is worth that much!
I do not want to show up in the "Accidents and Close Calls" section of TCI or TCC.