Bauer Quality

[mrjet 0]

Why is all bauer products made last 2 seasons so bad, skates fall appart, sticks break in no time, gloves keeps falling together in no time,

Are we customers that stupid, will we still use products from companies that is only thinking about there own incomme and stock quotes?

i got the impression from my local dealer that he was feed up with all product claimes and wanted to sell other brands to his customers,

Is bauer only a marketing company this days, what happened to old traditions and customer care?

Hope to see more sale of real hockey prducts in the future, there is a lot of nice products out there, but we need to see behind the marketing jippo, are we ready for that move today, our will Bauer Nike go away with this once again with there new skates xxx?

[JGraz15 53]

I think Bauer's quality is comparable or higher than most hockey companies. You have to look at every product individually and its purpose. If you want a light skate...get the Vapor XXX. Bauer has never said or pretended that this is the skate that will last you 5 years.

I have found the 8090 to be very durable even though it is a lightweight skate. You really can't compare a Vapor XX or XXX to a Mission S500 or Bauer 7000. The skates were not built to perform the same.

As far as Bauer sticks and gloves go, I would say there are on the upper end of the market. I have found the Vapor series of gloves to be more durable and less expensive than many similar spec'ed gloves. The Vapor shafts (X, XV) and one pieces I would say are on par of that as offerings from other companies such as Easton, TPS, and Mission.

In summary, I wouldn't say Bauer has lower quality than any other manufacturer. I think the industry as a whole right now is focusing on lightweight products at the sacrifice of durability.

[jimmy 194]

What Graz says is True, but how do you explain holders mismounted on boots, or one side shoulder pad sewn 1 inch higher than the other? Certain levels of "Quality" can be controlled during manufacturing.

[JGraz15 53]

I know they aren't perfect. But Jimmy, how many companies have you seen with mismounted holders on boots? I have seen quite a few (Graf, CCM, Mission) besides Bauer/Nike. My personal favorite was a pair of Graf 703's with 10 eyelets on the left boot and 9 on the right

As far as equipment goes, I have seen suspect quality around the board.

[jjtt99 0]

I think the whole system is at fault as marketers and consumers have a constant obsession with the "latest and greatest" so companies like Bauer are forced to have new for the sake of new every year, so the whole process is rushed.

Heaven forbid that a product only be tweaked, or even worse, stay the same for a few years as it's good as is. If manufacturers could get away with that, then they can take a year or two to release a new product that has been thoroughly tested, ensuring quality control.

Because consumers are quick to buy the latest off the shelf, we are now doing the quality control checks for them. Well, not on my time or dime thanks. I stick with the tried tested and true. By no means is my gear ancient, but its good modern stuff that has also stood the test of time.

JJ

[Jim A 4]

there are always issue with product when its made...i'd think that 99++% of it is caught.but when you are comparing it in scope to the # made..its seems like an epidemic..a la the Helium launch..some skates got on the boat that shouldn't have..and by the time it came to boot, you'd have thought everyone's skates in the US had fallen apart..i'd bet that the actual warranty #'s out there for people who had a problem vs the numbers of people who "knew all these people who's skates broke" are a 1:10 ratio..

most equipment has a failure rate of 1-2%...but factor in the 'net and worldwide growth of the game..and it once again seems like quite a bit more..

my own bauer stuff from the past couple years..whether it be sticks, blades, skates, elbows(Nike) and helmets have had no issues..

check gear before you buy..its part of the benefit of buying from a LHS...and if its a deal that 's too good to be true..it probably is..

[Jason Harris 31]

I think the whole system is at fault as marketers and consumers have a constant obsession with the "latest and greatest" so companies like Bauer are forced to have new for the sake of new every year, so the whole process is rushed.

Heaven forbid that a product only be tweaked, or even worse, stay the same for a few years as it's good as is. If manufacturers could get away with that, then they can take a year or two to release a new product that has been thoroughly tested, ensuring quality control.

Because consumers are quick to buy the latest off the shelf, we are now doing the quality control checks for them. Well, not on my time or dime thanks. I stick with the tried tested and true. By no means is my gear ancient, but its good modern stuff that has also stood the test of time.

JJ

Very interesting observations, JJ.

I always forward any feedback I receive, along with my own, to the designers in Sweden. Last year, I told them their bag is too small, the zippers weren't sturdy enough and they should add skate pockets. So this year, the bag is larger but I told them it should be larger still or, at least, add another pocket for accessories. I also said, regardless how well constructed it is, it costs too much. So, obviously, if the product needs improvement, the designers have to keep working at it.

However, one of our sticks and our 2005 gloves are nearly perfect -- certainly for the price point. I find myself conflicted about "improving" the product. Part of me feels like telling Sweden, "DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING!!" While another part thinks, "Yeah, but if we don't change anything, players will think we're falling behind."

I understand we can improve both of these products, but if it ends up increasing their cost by 30%, did we really improve the products?

Jason

[Chadd 916]

I've seen a lot of issues with the Bauer skates that come into the shop. I don't believe the problem is in the design or materials but in the Quality Control at the factory. If they were ever to resolve those issues the product line would be formidable for competitors. Right now I would say BNH is a close second to Graf in the number of problems I see on new skates. Both make good products, you just need to very carefully inspect the products before you buy them.

[jimmy 194]

I've seen a lot of issues with the Bauer skates that come into the shop. I don't believe the problem is in the design or materials but in the Quality Control at the factory. If they were ever to resolve those issues the product line would be formidable for competitors. Right now I would say BNH is a close second to Graf in the number of problems I see on new skates. Both make good products, you just need to very carefully inspect the products before you buy them.

I concur with Chadd, BNH and Graf seem to have more QC problems than most manufacturers. All of them have problems, that is for sure. I would love to see better QC across the industry. What we need is some good japanese equipment to wake up the industry, i.e., the auto industry of the late 70's/80's.

[hockechamp14 0]

Bauer had an amazing release with thier 5000 line. The shins, gloves, helmets, and shoulderpads I've all used and are great, high quality and durable. I have a pair of pro stock 5000's, so I probally can't comment on those as compared to retail.

But now, I find that bauer tried to "fast forward" technology with thier 8000 series of elbows, shoulders, shins, pants, and helmets. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to handle it, and it seems as if everything is overpriced, and doesn't feel good when wearing it or have other problems.

Also, I find that nike skates have the same problems as the bauer ones do. (and yes, they do come out of the same factory)

Jimmy, japanese? I wouldn't TOUCH that. But maybe if warrior/new balance does a good job with thier hockey stuff IF it comes out, then we could see some better things.

[jjtt99 0]

There is a store here in Vancouver that I think has a neat business concept as they sell previous years models of equipment. It's all new, and not ancient, but discounted a bit because it's "old". When I need gear it's usually my first stop because places like this forum give me a good sense if it's good.

Gee, this is starting to sound like an ad, but what the hell, take a look and you'll see my point...good folks over there...very limited skate selection though.

http://www.the-sports-exchange.com

JJ

[Jim A 4]

I've used them for a few years with hit and miss results...but like it..also miss it when River City was a big discounter..figure they took a lot of heat from the mfgs after that season, although gear used to get held up at UPS in KY because they oftentimes had to be convinced that Hockey Pants wasn't something you would just wear for fashion!

[Miike 1]

The only bauer things i've ever used were skates. I wore Bauer Supreme 5000 for 2 years and a pair of Bauer Vapor 8's. I thought the quality of both were excellent. They both lasted me a long time.

[jimmy 194]

Bauer had an amazing release with thier 5000 line. The shins, gloves, helmets, and shoulderpads I've all used and are great, high quality and durable. I have a pair of pro stock 5000's, so I probally can't comment on those as compared to retail.

But now, I find that bauer tried to "fast forward" technology with thier 8000 series of elbows, shoulders, shins, pants, and helmets. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to handle it, and it seems as if everything is overpriced, and doesn't feel good when wearing it or have other problems.

Also, I find that nike skates have the same problems as the bauer ones do. (and yes, they do come out of the same factory)

Jimmy, japanese? I wouldn't TOUCH that. But maybe if warrior/new balance does a good job with thier hockey stuff IF it comes out, then we could see some better things.

The point i was trying to make is the when US auto industry was making garbage cars, the Japanese hit our market with good reliable cars of awesome quality, with QC a major factor.. This woke up the US manufacturers. This is what we need in hockey equipment. Folks are really getting tired of paying big dollar for crap.

[Rustybender 0]

Further translation for Jimmy:

A new player with fair prices and high quality would create a shake up of the existing big boys and force them to get their act together, or die.

It doesn't need to be the Japanese. In fact that is highly unlikely. Much of Japan's manufacturing jobs are moving overseas where labor costs are lower.

I really think there is an opportunity for a company who makes quality a priority to make some major inroads.

[Sven 1]

Bauer had an amazing release with thier 5000 line. The shins, gloves, helmets, and shoulderpads I've all used and are great, high quality and durable. I have a pair of pro stock 5000's, so I probally can't comment on those as compared to retail.

But now, I find that bauer tried to "fast forward" technology with thier 8000 series of elbows, shoulders, shins, pants, and helmets. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to handle it, and it seems as if everything is overpriced, and doesn't feel good when wearing it or have other problems.

Also, I find that nike skates have the same problems as the bauer ones do. (and yes, they do come out of the same factory)

Jimmy, japanese? I wouldn't TOUCH that. But maybe if warrior/new balance does a good job with thier hockey stuff IF it comes out, then we could see some better things.

The point i was trying to make is the when US auto industry was making garbage cars, the Japanese hit our market with good reliable cars of awesome quality, with QC a major factor.. This woke up the US manufacturers. This is what we need in hockey equipment. Folks are really getting tired of paying big dollar for crap.

Go Salming go !

[Slapshot 0]

Hockey equipment used to be made in CANADA. Now most of the stuff is made in China.

No one gives a sh*t about quality anymore, its all about making money. Sad.

[Jason Harris 31]

Hockey equipment used to be made in CANADA. Now most of the stuff is made in China.

No one gives a sh*t about quality anymore, its all about making money. Sad.

As one who's company makes its products in Asia -- and who is based out of Sweden, rather than Canada, anyway -- I don't believe the production quaility is necessarily bad.

As a matter of fact, most people on the board know that I think some of our products are outstanding, whereas others still need improvement. But that's our design issues, not Asian production quality. The Asian factories will make to the specifications of the "manufacturer," which is why you can see two sticks from the same factory look completely alike but perform differently.

I mentioned in an earlier thread that a top selling stick was known to have increased the fibreglass content to try to lower costs. As a result, they started suffering high breakage rates.

Again, the manufacturer designs the product and the factory will produce to that design/spec.

Jason

[JGraz15 53]

I mentioned in an earlier thread that a top selling stick was known to have increased the fibreglass content to try to lower costs. As a result, they started suffering high breakage rates.

I wonder which manufacturer this was?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Actually, Salming, it wasn't the increase of fibreglass. I know the situation and it wasn't that. ;) Other than that, you are right on the money. It isn't Asia...it is spec.

[Chadd 916]

Actually, Salming, it wasn't the increase of fibreglass. I know the situation and it wasn't that. ;)

Less of one component, not more of another.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Yep.

[2-Keys 1]

i have bauer skates (X Lite) and i got them at the begining of teh season last year and they have held up great. no problems at all. only normal wear and tear. they are really high quality

100 post!!! :lol: ;)

[Sven 1]

Congrats

[Jason Harris 31]

Actually, Salming, it wasn't the increase of fibreglass.  I know the situation and it wasn't that. ;)

Less of one component, not more of another.

That could also be true, but my Swedish sales manager once said that the factory told us about another manufacturer's problems with breakage due to increasing their fibreglass content. I have no idea whether we were toying with increasing the fibreglass in our mix, but we've kept it to 20% after hearing that feedback.