Places of Manufacture

**Sandstorm** · 10-12-2011, 08:11 PM

Is there a noticeable difference between the manufacturing places of racquets that are the same model? In other words, is there a difference between TW, JP, SP, AU, US, etc. racquets? I ask this because on Sohubuy.com the prices differ greatly, With JP racquets being the most expensive, TW racquets being less expensive, and SP racquets somewhere in between them. Also, is Sohubuy a legitimate seller?

**Avenger** · 10-12-2011, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Sandstorm

Is there a noticeable difference between the manufacturing places of racquets that are the same model? In other words, is there a difference between TW, JP, SP, AU, US, etc. racquets? I ask this because on Sohubuy.com the prices differ greatly, With JP racquets being the most expensive, TW racquets being less expensive, and SP racquets somewhere in between them. Also, is Sohubuy a legitimate seller?

the code is just distribution code not place of production (the high end model are made in Japan, while mid end made in Taiwan and low end would be made in China)

why JP more expensive? because in Japan, everything is expensive (tokyo, the most expensive city to live)
that's why it is more expensive (if they can pay that much, why charge it less?)
while SP (Singapore) that distributed around Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc) would be much cheaper because they cannot afford a racket with same price of Japan market

JP version price is almost double of SP

and yes, sohubuy is legit

**Sandstorm** · 10-12-2011, 08:36 PM

Besides the ability to pay, though, is there a quality/performance difference?

**Sandstorm** · 10-22-2011, 10:05 PM

Does anyone know of any quality/performance difference between different distribution codes?

**Blitzzards** · 10-22-2011, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sandstorm

Does anyone know of any quality/performance difference between different distribution codes?

There is NO measurable difference AT ALL. The codes are only for the distributor's reference, for warranty or recording purposes, especially if you are a sponsored player who gets these racquets for free, then they would like to keep track of ALL the racquets you have in your arsenal. A "SP coded" player will not be allowed to exchange his broken JP coded racquet (they don't care from where he got it in the first place anyway) for a new SP coded one.

Unless of course if you do feel like paying a little extra for the JP code's slightly different cosmetics such as the "SG" mark on all JP racquet cones, or the VT80LTD's "Japan Open 30th Anniversary" logo, or the AT900's "GumMetal" decals etc.