Originally Posted by AMFJ

^and often times, manufacturers(meaning the frame building house, not the company name on the product) use different lay up techniques (some higher some lower), different quality materials (mat and resin), and have some 2nds that they sell on the secondary/direct market---all while claiming "made in the same factory as *insert expensive frame".

just because a frame is made in the same location as a cannondale/trek/whatever, doesn't mean it is the same quality as the cannondale/trek/whatever.

The scary part about a carbon product is the only way to know that it is well made is to xray it or cut it in pieces and see. Other than that, you are riding on hope and prayers--and this is regardless of the price or name on the product. So you have to ask yourself--do I trust my health to a company that is actively selling in my area and has the risk of liability associated with that transaction, or am I comfortable buying a product from an untouchable overseas company.

each person has to make that call for themselves based on their risk/comfort level and their health/dental/life/disability insurance policies.