top brand .. what does it mean? (about Duotone)

[Enrico73]

The kitesurfing market has changed a lot in recent years.
Many small brands have been deleted from the image of some top brands.
But what does a brand need to be to satisfy this:
1) reflect the kite's performance expectations
2) be reliable
3) have top materials (beautiful and performing)
4) have nice graphics
5) last but not least, have good customer support.
I am writing this because I have just purchased 2 new kites (Duotone Rebel 2020).
For many years I have wanted to buy a new set of kites (I have always flown used kites).
When my kites arrived (ordered online) I was very excited and had high expectations.
The kites arrived in a closed nylon bag with a bar code. The bag closed the backpack and not the kite)
As soon as I inflated I immediately noticed many aesthetic defects (I hope only aesthetic) on the fabric (LE and ripstop).
At first I thought they were used.
Looking at them carefully, however, I realized that the bridles were new with the knots still free.
So item 3 of the top brand list is out.
In this circumstance I have found that contacting Duotone is difficult.
Telephone numbers do not exist, mail does not exist, you can only use the form on the website.
The website form makes you contact the local Duotone supplier.
I am Italian, I bought in Poland, the supplier Duotone Italian is not interested in a product purchased in another country.
I contacted the shop who heard the Polish supplier Duotone verbal confirmation that the kites are new.
I asked the shop to ask Duotone for an additional discount for the material defect but no one replied.
I searched the internet for the quality of Duotone products and found many complaints about Duotone bar lines.
So even point 5 is not satisfied, many good intentions but no guarantees.
Have I only encountered these defects on Duotone kites?
I attach some photos, it is not easy to photograph, especially on the white color .... (13m blue, 9m white, same defects).
Let me know what you think and if you too have had similar problems with other brands as well.
Thanks bye.

[Sun]

Those look like places where the fabric has been folded tightly. I am sure all Teijin fabric looks like that when you crease it.

Nothing to worry about.

[Kerplow]

You already posted those few weeks ago. Looks like you dont want to ride, but only stare at them.

[Ventum]

What you show is nothing to worry about and has nothing to do with bad quality. You will find this on any canopy and dacron depending a bit also on the color how well you can see it. Njoy your new gear

[bjw]

1) reflect the kite's performance expectations
Every kite brand performs well in 2020 if the designer has been in it for a while
2) be reliable
3) have top materials (beautiful and performing)
All brands are produced by massive manufacturers, with materials commonly commonly available, eg Duotone SLS material also used by Eleveight (but they name it differently)
4) have nice graphics
All brands are pretty good
5) last but not least, have good customer support.
This one can differ massively.

In saying this some brands are market followers eg Gong ,where as others lead ,experiment and push design.

In regards to your material. They have a coating on it to make it dry quicker, almost like a paint. When folded they crease. That will look worse as it ages. But it doesn't reflect quality.

[Flyboy]

1) reflect the kite's performance expectations
Every kite brand performs well in 2020 if the designer has been in it for a while
2) be reliable
3) have top materials (beautiful and performing)
All brands are produced by massive manufacturers, with materials commonly commonly available, eg Duotone SLS material also used by Eleveight (but they name it differently)
4) have nice graphics
All brands are pretty good
5) last but not least, have good customer support.
This one can differ massively.

In saying this some brands are market followers eg Gong ,where as others lead ,experiment and push design.

In regards to your material. They have a coating on it to make it dry quicker, almost like a paint. When folded they crease. That will look worse as it ages. But it doesn't reflect quality.

I'm not even sure it would be fair to call Gong "followers". They were a "small" brand, but have been growing rapidly & probably increasing their own experimentation & design. Also, some small brands - like BRM - have definitely been "leaders" in experimenting with new designs ... which are then followed by the larger brands.

[Da Yoda]

I am Italian, I bought in Poland, the supplier Duotone Italian is not interested in a product purchased in another country.

Why would you buy a Duotone kite from another country when there was a supplier for Duotone in your home country?
I don't blame the Italian supplier for not helping you. You didn't help him!

[Flyboy]

I am Italian, I bought in Poland, the supplier Duotone Italian is not interested in a product purchased in another country.

Why would you buy a Duotone kite from another country when there was a supplier for Duotone in your home country?
I don't blame the Italian supplier for not helping you. You didn't help him!

It's all besides the point: the bottom line is that there's nothing "faulty" about the kites, judging from the photographs. The kites are folded, the fabric wrinkles in places. It's the way it is.

[fluidity]

I agree with the above, the cloth cannot fold during manufacture and packaging and still look as fresh as if had just come off the loom and been sprayed. You have to decide whether kites are just for looking at or for actually riding. I see no cuts, damage or stitching errors.

[Enrico73]

Thanks to everyone, even for the criticisms.
Yes, it's true, I had already published the photos in another post, but no one had commented and I tried to propose it again in a new post .... it worked!
What I was looking for was some comfort.
It is true that kites should be used and not looked at .... but also the aesthetics have its why.
My only fear is the durability of the material ... if standing still it deteriorates ....
I agree that the Italian supplier duotone did not help me because I bought in another country, I complained that Duotone has no other channels to communicate.
Merry Christmas everyone!