Should have heeded what I read on MMT and just bought a damned outright Chinese made winch at fricking Harbor Freight. So much for this attempt at buying American!

I had e-mailed Warn about where their winches were made. I should have asked again when I downsized my winch! I'll post their response, if any.

My e-mail to Warn:

Kyle,

I know I asked you about the manufacturing origin of the XT 40, but I ended up purchasing an XT25. When you told me: “Our XT40 like the majority of our products is manufactured in our facility in Oregon.” I thought a winch in the same line would have the same origin; my mistake! The hook is labeled CHINA, the Solenoid “Made in Taiwan R.O.C.”, the cover CHINA. There are no markings on the winch indicating its country of origin, but the bolts are Metric, which is a bad sign.

If I hadn’t already drilled my custom mount for it, I would have sent it back. It could prove to be the best winch I’ve ever owned. I will still be furious!

If I had wanted to support the Chinese Economy, I would have intentionally purchased an outwardly (instead of covertly) Chinese winch with twice the pulling power at half the cost.

Please be sure to pass my note up the line to someone who might care.

Nelson

I'm sure his thinking will be of somthing to the extent of, "O well I still got his money". If you wanted to make him really care ship the thing back and get a new custum mount. Don't tell him your mad and do nothing about it. If it makes you mad enough do somthing that will have a negative effect on his wallet not his values. People have no values when money is involved.

Unfortunately, I did not buy it direct. I purchased it through Amazon. I doubt the ah in Warn customer service would feel the financial impact of a return to Amazon or Warn for that matter.

I told him I was mad, and told him there was nothing I could do about it. I'm pissed, I'm stupid, but I'm not going to send good money after bad. The time and expense of re-doing the winch mount, shipping the winch back, and having another winch shipped just adds insult to injury.

I just want to bitch loud enough for others to hear and cut my fuuking losses!

Warn's response:

The XT25 is still a winch model made and produced in the USA just as much as the XT40 is. Today is a global economy that sometimes requires us to use product from around the globe and few components are not always made possible to produce in house just as any manufacturing facility of any product, but the winch is still manufactured in our Oregon based facility that requires the work of over 600 local employee’s that goes into offering winches. We use metric hardware on most of our product since it is becoming more of an industry standard as the years move forward.

If you are unhappy with the product you are more than welcome to return it.

Regards,
Kyle Pfenning- Customer Service Representative
WARN Industries| Toll Free 800.543.9276| F: 503.722.3000|

Send it back and get one of them off the wall winches and hope it works when you get stuck!

I've sent an e-mail to Ramsey Winch inquiring about the manufacturing location of their 3000lb ATV winch AND its accessories. If they can confirm that all of their stuff is made in the USA, I will order the Ramsey and send the Warn back. I won't go to the trouble of sending it back just to order another Chinese winch, but I am stupid enough to make another attempt at purchasing an American made product.

It's a world economy now. When you buy a Chevy the motor is made in Mexico, the transmission is made in France, and the vehicle is assembled in Canada.

I understand. However, for completely non-essential luxury items (basically everything for duck hunting) I do my best to only buy American, or at least as American as possible. I don't have the option of a completely American made truck, but I do have the option on other things.

I e-mailed Ramsey Winch on the topic and here is their response:

Hello Nelson:

The winch is American made, as well as some of the accessories, but not all. Ramsey Winch does source components and raw materials globally, just like most American manufacturers. What sets us apart is that every single winch unit is assembled, tested, packaged and shipped from our Tulsa, Oklahoma facilities. We are the only U.S. manufacturer for Off-Road and ATV winches that is compliant with Made In The USA labeling requirements.

Best Regards,

Mike Heffron
Ramsey Industries, LLC
Cust. Service & Export Compliance Mngr.
Tel: +1 918 234-2182
Fax: +1 918 234-2177

It was the Warn accessories that had China and Taiwan on them. Since Ramsey dances a bit on the topic too, I'm just going to stick with what I got from Warn.

I applaud the fact that you take the initiative to buy from the USA. If only more would do this the US might be on top still.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbWRfBZY-ng[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaAF_3WMJGM[/youtube]

couldn't say it any better myself