[jak]

So Some clarification here on tubes. Due to issues with bad tubes about 15 years ago Bratton's started searching for a new company to make inner tubes. At that time we discovered there were no companies in the USA making inner tubes any longer, so they had no choice but to go overseas. They eventually found a company in CHina who was willing to make the tubes. These new tubes are made from 100% new rubber, unlike the other companies on the market who were using 60-70% recycled rubber. Just looking at the old reproduction and the new ones you can see and feel the difference in the quality of the rubber. The failure rate on these new tubes went to almost 0%. I know that Bratton's has been selling the tubes to Bert's, Gaslight and a couple of other smaller dealer's for years. There are quite a few comments above about Bean counters and buying the least expensive thing that can be found. But one also needs to remember crappie parts can be made here in the USA just as easily as overseas. The key the consumer needs to remember is to look at the reputation of the company that is selling the parts.