D_Rek you didn't answer the question. As a consumer is quality and construction more important or marketing? I am speaking from the consumers' standpoint, not the manufacturer. No one claimed or inferred that marketing affects quality. I stated that I would rather see a company spend more on quality and construction and not on marketing, I think most consumers would agree with that statement. Others made the statement that Aero Hunter's marketing was subpar, which, I thought was very odd. I buy products on their quality and performance not because they have a clever ad campaign. I gave you an example that John Eberhart himself brought up regarding Vortex vs MeOpta binoculars. What does it matter to the consumer if the business stays local as long as the product quality meets their standards? We support many small businesses here on the saddle forum and without these "small-time" business owners we would not have so many outstanding products made by a local craftsman. Many of them aren't looking to go global or extend themselves beyond a local market. Also, I feel I get better service and support from small local companies than larger companies in most cases. To the local guy, I am way more important than I am to MegaCorp International! Why would the consumer care if a company captures more of the market share unless they would benefit directly from it? Again I feel that from a consumer standpoint their experience is more important than market shares or expansion.
Thanks,
Roger