When I read this a while back I was quite saddened ... especially since I'm Canadian and am a bit proud that drums with such great reputations are made in my country. I also felt a bit odd that in spite of all that I don't own any. But frankly I don't need any more drums and am pretty happy with what I have.
But then I started looking at the Moperc site last week and at the list of stores that carry them [almost all in Quebec] and wondered what the price difference was between the stores and buying them direct ... long story ... but I stumbled on one that had set of the Tropical bongos on sale for 300 [That's Canadian $ - they would be $248 USD]. With tax and shipping 380 total!
They are 420 new from Moperc ... I may not need em ... but I own em now
Now I just have to decide if I'm gonna keep my Matadors