WARNING~ PIRANHA SPORTS~ SCAM

[wiseguy67]

There has been a few fisho web sites covering this promo and it appears that 'If it too good to be true....."

In the Tackle section of Ausfish there is a forum "Free Rod Offer"
I feel it is necessary to post this in the general area as its an on going issue.

I have been waiting for the first 'free rod' offer and as it never arrived when expected i wrote to Piranha Sports and was told be patient etc.
Then I wrote to the magazine that ran the promotion and this is the last email recieved from them.

Futhermore Fair trading office at this point say they are not able to assist.
I would like to know how many fishos have been sucked into this scam. Nation wide I imagine the numbers to be up there....


Due to the advice of ausfish I have deleated the email as it is against the law to post it here....

[DR]

wise67, according to a letter from Piranha Sports on another site, they had 12,575 people take them up on the offer.
work it out at $30 each they got for postage.
then work out the retail @$189
even if the rods cost them $80 t0 get on the market, it's a bucket load of money for what is supposedly a crap product.
my personal opinion is that they are very poor businessmen who do little research, or it's a scam & 12,575 went for it..

oh, & apparently of those 12,575 only 75 were unhappy. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :o

[bignick]

It never ceases to amaze me how gullible people can be. Now, I'm not entirely up to speed on the whole Piranha caper, but I've had the nuts 'n' bolts explained to me and it's one of those "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" sagas. Nobody with any business sense gives away supposedly $100 (+) rods for $30; not in this day and age anyway. There is no such thing as "something for nothing" from businesses these days, and this is just another example. And, to top things off nicely, the perpertrators of this scam will walk away scot free with everyone's money. I just can't believe that people continue to tumble into these scams. The only consolation is that maybe the scammers will take their ill-gotten loot and spend it in some far off land on some dirty "hostesses" of ill-repute and contract a nasty social disease.

Cheers,
NICK.

[DR]

will take their ill-gotten loot and spend it in some far off land on some dirty "hostesses" of ill-repute and contract a nasty social disease.

Cheers,
NICK.

stop it Nick,we're getting all excited ::) :o

[wiseguy67]

12575 multiply by $29.95 = $376621.25 not bad for a few months effort

It appears to me that even if they only sent out a third of the crappy rods that some people have stated are worth ten dollars they still aim to make a bloody good profit. Say $100,000 after expense.
This can all be achieved with a truck load of cheap glass rods and some advertising in a reputable magazine.
Unfortuneatly I understand the magazine may be held accountable. Aid and Abet rings a bell in this case, I am sure they (the magazine) had not intended to. The magazine needs to publish a warning and an apology ASAP nation wide via newspapers etc.

I have spoken to the Victoria Consumer Affairs:
CONSUMER AFFAIRS VICTORIA
(Victorian Issues Only)
452 Flinders St Melb
Public hours 8:30am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri
www.consumer.vic.gov.au
CONSUMER AND TENANCY ENQUIRIES
Cost of a local call 1300 558 181

They are sending me the forms to start an investigation.
I suggest others do the same.

Its the sort of crime that people get away with because befor the authorities do anything the culprits have vanished.

Makes my blood boil.

Gerard

[bundopeace]

Exactly pple, wat are these people thinking... totally out of hand

[Az]

im glad I never got around to sending my money off then

[rajawolf]

AZ....... same here mate.. PHEW! :-?

[88fishframe]

Anyone recieved a rod along with a TAX INVOICE showing ABN ect ...?

If no tax invoice I'd be rining the ATO as well. They have bigger teeth >:(

[wiseguy67]

I have had to deleat the letter from Modern fishing magazine as Ausfish has advised:
It is against the law in Australia to forward or reproduce in any form an E-mail with out the permission of the sender.

[wiseguy67]

I have become concerned in regards to the Forum I started on the Piranha Sports issue.

Today I spoke with Alex Bermudez de Romano the CEO of the Brazilian parent company of Piranha Sport. We spoke at length in regards to my concern of the time it has taken to send me the rod and the mostly negative comments left on two web sites including ausfish.com.au and fishnet.com.au as well the correspondence between the editor of Modern fishing magazine and myself.

When i read him the letter from Daniel (editor of Modern Fishing) he asked me to forward the email to him so that he could sue the magazine. I said that until i receive the rod and have satisfied my concerns regarding the delivery and satisfaction of aproximately 15000 customers. Of which he said there are 10000 waiting for this weeks shipment that has been delayed due to the commonwealth games taking place etc etc then i may consider sending him the email. Not very likely this will ever happen as i don't condone money hungry lawsuit seeking parasites.

OK to get to the point of this email:
Was I in the right to share Daniels email on this website with out his consent? Does the email need to be made anonymous?
Am i opening a can of worms that will not catch any fish!?

I know this is not a joking matter, I have spent the better part of the last two days speaking Modern fishing magazine, Piranha Sport, NSW Fair Trading office and the Consumer Affairs Office in Victoria.

Even though I have only $30.00 involved I am not one to watch others get scammed if i am aware/suspicious and may be capable of preventing further loss.

Today Alex assured me that i will be happy with the rod, he also assured me it would arrive this week, but, maybe as late as next week due to Melbourne Post Office being slowed down due to the Games!?? then went on to say that Daniel is a ignorant 27 year old that has no idea of what a rod is worth and has told lies because the competition (other rod suppliers) is complaining to him????
I do wish that i had been able to record the conversation as what was said makes my blood boil controllably.

Regards,

Gerard

[ironman2]

I too have spoken to Piranha Sport at lengths about the free rods. The rod I got in the January Promo was supposed to be the Eustary 70 three piece. What I got was not a three piece rod but a two piece labelled Eustary 70. When I spoke to them about it they told me that they were only a distributor of the rods and they weren't liable for their own stuff up. When I asked them which rod did I get then they had know idea. They said if I liked I could send the rod back to them at MY expense with another $30 to get the rod I was supposed to get. I don't think so, I'll put up with the over priced rod they sent me. If they think this rod is worth $189 as they stated on the form in the Modern Fishing magazine then I'm a monkey's uncle.

It may be a Brazillian company but the girl I spoke to let slip they were made in China......I'm still waiting for the second rod which was supposed to have been from the Pantera range but once again it appears a stuff up by this organisation.

[wiseguy67]

no rod arrived this week..

[Dug]

Apply the rule:" If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"

[Barrymundi]

Young Daniel from Modern Fishing is a good bloke who loves his fishing.

Al

[IcemanII]

Rod arrived, was Estuary 70 three piece as ordered – great! And 10 year warranty.

Not a rod expert and are happy with it, only complaint would be the delay, also got a catalogue with it and would possibly buy other rods from them.
Am far more upset about the okuma reel I got for xmas that has corroded due to poor quality and the clutch lever has broken, only used 6 times would regard as one of the most useless reels I have ever owned.
For those that don't understand world trade, I have a company that imports from China and would like to point out that world manufacturing is changing, China while producing some of the most useless junk is also producing some of the highest quality products in the world such as IBM computers and arnottes biscuits ;), the most advanced engine parts for Toyota and range of CAT brand machinery. The point I make is here and on fishnet references are made towards China as if it automatically means the product must be of low quality - WRONG!

Some people have done sums to show the rip off $$ yet our banks nearly rip us off for that much each, our kids send sms messages that cost $6.00 each and most parents don’t even Know, really what is $30.00 when owning a boat.

My point is I have no idea who Piranha sports is or if there product is any good but can’t help feeling that perhaps a lot of people are too gun happy, maybe 12,500 people are happy!. I also see comments from modern fishing and wonder if they have a hidden agenda after all they are a commercial mag and will protect there key income sources at any cost, I would do the same if I was them.
I would like to see an independent rod experts or members try these rods and give us some constructive results after all the function of this forum is for feedback on actual user experience without commercial interference. Should some of the guys out there fail to get there promised rods or the rods turn out to be junk then I will very disappointed.

Gerard quoted this below, I will point out that I am quite capable of representing myself and disappointed in being represented in these statistics without my consent.
“I said that until i receive the rod and have satisfied my concerns regarding the delivery and satisfaction of aproximately 15000 customers”

[gotwet]

still havnt got mine.

[fishingnottake]

Rod arrived, was Estuary 70 three piece as ordered – great! And 10 year warranty.

Not a rod expert and are happy with it, only complaint would be the delay, also got a catalogue with it and would possibly buy other rods from them.
Am far more upset about the okuma reel I got for xmas that has corroded due to poor quality and the clutch lever has broken, only used 6 times would regard as one of the most useless reels I have ever owned.
For those that don't understand world trade, I have a company that imports from China and would like to point out that world manufacturing is changing, China while producing some of the most useless junk is also producing some of the highest quality products in the world such as IBM computers and arnottes biscuits ;), the most advanced engine parts for Toyota and range of CAT brand machinery. The point I make is here and on fishnet references are made towards China as if it automatically means the product must be of low quality - WRONG!

Some people have done sums to show the rip off $$ yet our banks nearly rip us off for that much each, our kids send sms messages that cost $6.00 each and most parents don’t even Know, really what is $30.00 when owning a boat.

My point is I have no idea who Piranha sports is or if there product is any good but can’t help feeling that perhaps a lot of people are too gun happy, maybe 12,500 people are happy!. I also see comments from modern fishing and wonder if they have a hidden agenda after all they are a commercial mag and will protect there key income sources at any cost, I would do the same if I was them.
I would like to see an independent rod experts or members try these rods and give us some constructive results after all the function of this forum is for feedback on actual user experience without commercial interference. Should some of the guys out there fail to get there promised rods or the rods turn out to be junk then I will very disappointed.

Gerard quoted this below, I will point out that I am quite capable of representing myself and disappointed in being represented in these statistics without my consent.
“I said that until i receive the rod and have satisfied my concerns regarding the delivery and satisfaction of aproximately 15000 customers”

Mate from what i've seen the rods are damn crook, and the point people are making is that they were grossly misrepresented, you're right, we're ripped off in hundreds of ways we don't even realise so why should we stand for it when we know we're getting ripped, and seriously i'd be suprised if even 100 people have recieved a rod. on the upside we do have someone to deal with to sort this out, and i'm sure in time they will get delt with.
ash

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

I have never heard of or seen a sms message that costs $6.00.

Cheers
Dave

[DR]

I have never heard of or seen a sms message that costs $6.00.

Cheers
Dave
i think some of that late night "chat" that they advertise on tv is up near that mark :-?

[Darryl]

Dave niether had i until my kids decided to download a ringtone form Rage one saturday morning.

The catch is once they have your mobile number they keep sending you text messages with ring tones in them. At 6 to 8 bucks a pop without your knowledge.

The catch is unless you go to there website and unsubcribe to this they keep sending them.

Telstra know full well how these 2 companys are ripping the average Joe Blow off like this , but cannot do anything about it other than urge us to complain to the telecommunications dept.

[Az]

Rod arrived, was Estuary 70 three piece as ordered – great! And 10 year warranty.

Not a rod expert and are happy with it, only complaint would be the delay, also got a catalogue with it and would possibly buy other rods from them.
Am far more upset about the okuma reel I got for xmas that has corroded due to poor quality and the clutch lever has broken, only used 6 times would regard as one of the most useless reels I have ever owned.
For those that don't understand world trade, I have a company that imports from China and would like to point out that world manufacturing is changing, China while producing some of the most useless junk is also producing some of the highest quality products in the world such as IBM computers and arnottes biscuits ;), the most advanced engine parts for Toyota and range of CAT brand machinery. The point I make is here and on fishnet references are made towards China as if it automatically means the product must be of low quality - WRONG!

Some people have done sums to show the rip off $$ yet our banks nearly rip us off for that much each, our kids send sms messages that cost $6.00 each and most parents don’t even Know, really what is $30.00 when owning a boat.

My point is I have no idea who Piranha sports is or if there product is any good but can’t help feeling that perhaps a lot of people are too gun happy, maybe 12,500 people are happy!. I also see comments from modern fishing and wonder if they have a hidden agenda after all they are a commercial mag and will protect there key income sources at any cost, I would do the same if I was them.
I would like to see an independent rod experts or members try these rods and give us some constructive results after all the function of this forum is for feedback on actual user experience without commercial interference. Should some of the guys out there fail to get there promised rods or the rods turn out to be junk then I will very disappointed.

Gerard quoted this below, I will point out that I am quite capable of representing myself and disappointed in being represented in these statistics without my consent.
“I said that until i receive the rod and have satisfied my concerns regarding the delivery and satisfaction of aproximately 15000 customers”


you sure you don't work for piranha :P

[BillR]

I have had to deleat the letter from Modern fishing magazine as Ausfish has advised:
It is against the law in Australia to forward or reproduce in any form an E-mail with out the permission of the sender.






Ses who? I know it is wise to be prudent in this litigious world but what law is being broken? It is normal business practice, both in the public service and private firms, to forward emails to relevant people.
The only time I wouldn't do so is if the email is marked "confidential" or contained defamatory comments.
Are we being too cautious here.

BillR

[pezza]

Hey Guys,
I did receive one of the rods...described as a 12ft surf rod. It is a 3 piece with a winch mounting 300mm from the bottom of the rod.The writing on the rod is...10 GP Action 40_80 GR.
I would describe the rod as light surf or estuary. It would most likely handle most beach fish caught but I dont know how long it would last. I have not used it yet but I will give it a go using a 600A5 Alvey which should be a reasonable match.
I will let you know how it handles.

[john_m]

I have never heard of or seen a sms message that costs $6.00.

Cheers
Dave

The on TV ads win a Xbox 360 or all that kind of stuff .
they charge $1.95 per message you send them and they send you
So the first one to sign up $1.95 they send 2 back saying you are entered and answer this question Thats 2x$1.95
you send the answer backanother $1.95 then they send you a message you got it right and will be sent another question to keep going in the competition.there is another 2x$1.95 thats $10just to really get going and it keeps going.

Also the TV ringtones for phones are $5.95 look down the bottom of the screen and it,s hidden down the corner

Yeh Dave there out there

Its said when someone is this low to conduct a scam and take the hard earned money of others .

Cheers
Johnno

[wiseguy67]

The rod arrived.

Its a three piece very light weight rod (the construction is made of light material.
The length is not 10' as described it is 9' 2"
I have attempted to take a few pictures of the rod and also of the original advert and the letter that came with the rod.

IMHO I find that this rod is not suitable for beach fishing and would certainly not be classified as an 8kg surf rod.

The fact that it is a three piece not a two piece proves it is false and misleading advertisement.

Any said value set on any item is up to the person who owns or manufactures it. The said value of $189.00 IMHO is a joke. My opinion.

IMHO the reason that the rod is a three piece is that cost of sending a 2 piece rod would of been more than $29.95
I have not checked with Australia Post on what the return postage will be but i can estimate it to be under $10 based on the size and weight.

So if the rod cost less than $10.00 to make and the postage less than $10.00 due to the contract one could get from Australia Post: 15000 rods would warrant a discount, then the profits are quite reasonable.

15000 rods: $150,000.00
Promotion/Advertising: $20,000.00
Postage: $100,000.00
Other costs: $20,000.00
Total Expense: $290,000.00

Profit: $159,250.00

Not bad for a few months work.

These numbers are only off the top of my head and only based on my opinion. The numbers may be much higher, but unlikely they would be lower.

Reason for delays: Inorder to get money in the bank to fund the scam.

Once again i urge all of you who are not happy to take the few minutes required to contact Victoria Fair Trading 1300 55 81 81

I would also like to start a petition letter to gather support but am not sure how to go about this, any help or input will be great.

As for the recent remarks by a few that have stated they are happy with the rods; Tight lines and good luck with your next fishing trip.

Gerard

[wiseguy67]

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[DR]

looking at the tip section, the reason it could be short is that it may have had the tip broken off & a ne tip top fitted ;D ;D as far as spacing goes the distance from tip to 1st guide & then from 1st to 2nd guide looks dubious at best

[wiseguy67]

Well, i hope that all my effort will be worth it.

Some of you may wonder why i am putting so much time and effort into this:
For starters:I expect most of the people who got taken by the scam will be those who look for a good deal because they may not be able to afford a $189.00 rod.
Secondly: I do not like being taken advantage of and lied to.
Thirdly: because I am a full time Carer for my father who has suffered 8 strokes over the last 18 months i spend too much time at the computer and have too much time on my hands.
This is not a ploy for 'oh poor him' its just the way it is.

I have been a member of this website for almost a year now and have enjoyed most of the many hours reading and sharing.
It is a great website and even though with the growing number of members it seems to be not as good as it was in the early days; now it takes longer to find the good topics, it is still the most visited site in my list of favorites.

Thanking those that put it together.

Its a fantastic medium to meet, learn and share with others.

The joke of the day has become a good source of laughter therapy.

Tight Lines,
Gerard

[4x4frog]

Argh...some people cringe at 2 piece rods, 3 pce?? WTF. Looks like a Cash Converters special with extra glaze.
The tip for me is the giveaway, very lowcost manufactured tip runner.

We will all know better next time,

[Flyeroz]

Well, i hope that all my effort will be worth it.

Some of you may wonder why i am putting so much time and effort into this:
For starters:I expect most of the people who got taken by the scam will be those who look for a good deal because they may not be able to afford a $189.00 rod.
Secondly: I do not like being taken advantage of and lied to.



Good on you Gerard.
My sentiments exactly
Please see my post here http://fishnet.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44607&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=100&f=10

Cheers.

[wiseguy67]

I got a good response from Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/142

1300 302 502

Call them and let them know how you feel.

Today I sent letters to both the Fair trade Office and the ACCC

DO THE SAME THING If you are not happy with your rod

I have spent as much on phone calls and photo copies, postage stamps, faxes, as i did on the rod.

If I am the only one that takes it to this level they may get away with it.


Misleading advertising
Businesses need to be particularly careful about what they say and do when they are advertising, because of the wide audience that their promotional messages may reach. The laws that prohibit misleading advertising apply to businesses advertising through all kinds of media, including television, radio, the internet, telemarketing, door-to-door selling, billboards, brochures, pamphlets and fliers.

Companies engaged in advertising goods or services must be careful not to send a message that creates, or could create, a wrong picture in the minds of those who receive the message. Failing to disclose important information in advertising may also sometimes be misleading.

[wiseguy67]

Australia Post advised me the cost of postage to return the rod to Melbourne from here in Iluka northern NSW is $4.75
postage Australia wide would be similar.

this indicates that Piranha Sport did very well profiteering from over charging for postage.

Befor I recieved the rod I was informed by Piranha Sport that I should of paid $29.95 plus $7.95 because i am in rural location.


Profiteering is the act of making a profit by methods considered unethical.

[wiseguy67]

Here is a link to make it easier for those that wish to report their experience regarding the conduct of Piranha Sport.

I encourage you to use the link provided and file an official complaint:

http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/CA25691800094F30/CAVConsumerComplaint?OpenForm

Lets put an end to this ASAP befor more fishos get taken for $29.95 or more.

[wiseguy67]

These are more emails from the piranha debacle:
The first one is the response from the second....

Master website notice:
Your e-mail address and your name and information has been blocked
permanently. You will not be able to proceed with any other promotional
activity with Piranha Sports.

For any further enquires must be in writing to:

Administration Department

PO BOX 808

Braeside 3195

VICTORIA

Your name has been listed with operators and no calls will pass through, and
any further communication must be in writing.

Administration Department




----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerard Wiseman" <wiseman67@westnet.com.au>
To: <alex@piranhasport.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: Email from Editor of Modern Fishing Magazine


Alex;
Australia Post will not let me use "return to sender" as I have
opened the package. Even if they did I would not trust you to send me
my $29.95 plus money order fee $3.00 and $.50 stamp. Total: $33.45 oh
I forgot the cost of the bloody envelope. Let alone the cost of going
to the post office three times petrol/km's allowance, repeated and
lengthy phone calls to you, time spent sending you emails.

Really Alex do you think you can get away with this?

What I want is the PIRANHA INDIO GP SURF TWO-PIECE 10ft 8kg rod as
described in the original advert/promo.

Don't even try to pull the Mystery Rod excuse on me as the January
advert was for the choice of two rods which were specifically
described.

I do not intend to incur return postage costs so I will accept
sending you the three-piece rod COD.

I have spent so much time dealing with this that you have become a
stone in my shoe that will not go away.
I have also spent a few dollars on calling you and your associates.
I will return the THREE-PIECE rod when I have the rod I was promised.
Until then you have not heard the last of me.

Sincerely,

Gerard


Alex,
The rod arrived thursday. I checked with Australia Post on return
postage: $4.75 interesting that you charge $29.95 plus $7.95 for
country delivery. I live in Iluka NSW and it is country region, had i
sent you $37.90 for postage you may of made $30.00 profit on the
postage alone. Not taking into consideration the savings Australia
Post would give you for a bulk postage contract.

As far as feedback your company is recieving on web chat forums here
are a few for you to read:
~I too have spoken to Piranha Sport at lengths about the free rods.
The rod I got in the January Promo was supposed to be the Eustary 70
three piece. What I got was not a three piece rod but a two piece
labelled Eustary 70. When I spoke to them about it they told me that
they were only a distributor of the rods and they weren't liable for
their own stuff up. When I asked them which rod did I get then they
had know idea. They said if I liked I could send the rod back to
them at MY expense with another $30 to get the rod I was supposed to
get. I don't think so, I'll put up with the over priced rod they
sent me. If they think this rod is worth $189 as they stated on the
form in the Modern Fishing magazine then I'm a monkey's uncle.

It may be a Brazillian company but the girl I spoke to let slip they
were made in China......I'm still waiting for the second rod which
was supposed to have been from the Pantera range but once again it
appears a stuff up by this organisation.

~a mate got his rod yesterday (a 10foot 3 piece) and if someone would
pay over $150 for it ???
he was disapointed that it costed him $30

~Received my 10' Indio beach rod. 3 pieces, poor design and balance.
Looks cheap and nasty. Probably cost $5 to manufacture.
Modern Fishing have disassociated themselves from the Piranha company
now, so that must be saying something.


Alex: Not only is the rod not as described but it also has some
slight damage, i suspect this is due to the poor packing.
Alex you have lied to me: you told me that I would recieve the rod i
ordered; a two-piece 10' 8kg rod as described in the promotion. When
the rod arrived I called the Sydney Office 3 times and asked to speak
with Errol Baker each time i called i was told he was in a meeting
and that he would return my call.

I have escalated my concerns to the ACCC and the Victoria Fair
Trading Office.
Please find the letter to the ACCC

Attention Regional Director ACCC:

I am writing to you regarding the conduct of Piranha Sport.
This company ran an advertisement in the December Issue of Modern
Fishing Magazine promoting their product.

The promotion was to run each month for the year 2006. Giving away a
fishing rod of the stated value of $189.00 for the cost of postage
$29.95 metropolitan areas plus $7.95 if in country or rural.
With a choice of two rods for the December issue: The first choice
was described as the Piranha Indio Estuary- a 7' 0" 10kg spin rod.
The second choice was a Piranha Indio GP Surf- a two-piece 8kg, 10'
0" surf rod.

After a month from sending in my Australia Post money order for the
Piranha Indio GP Surf I contacted the promoter and was explain in a
letter that it was on the way and that the rod would arrive by
February 10th. When it did not arrive I contacted them again and was
told that the rod would arrive by March 9th When it still had not
arrived I called once more and was assured the rod was on its way.
A rod arrived yesterday March 23rd it was not the rod I ordered. It
can be described as a three-piece 9' 2" rod of very poor quality. By
no means would this rod sell for $189.00 let alone $29.95.

I have tried to contact Piranha Sport and they will not return my
calls.

Please find enclosed the copies of the original advertisement from
Modern Fishing Magazine as well as the letter sent with the rod that
arrived.

I have also been in contact with the editor of Modern Fishing
magazine and he stated in an email to me:

"Hi Gerard,

The rod that Piranha have been sending out is not the same as the one
they showed us before we agreed to help publicise their promotion.
The sample I was shown had a metallic green, graphite blank with
yellow binding and cork grips. It certainly wasn't the bargain bin
glass composite that they have been sending out.."

~Alex: i have deleated the rest of Daniels letter as i do not intend
to share it with you at this time.~


My concern is there are over 15000 people that have sent in for these
rods as the CEO of Piranha Sport Alexander Bermudez de Romano
informed me.
This is in my opinion false advertising.

Please advise me that you have received this letter and what will
come of the matter.

Sincerely,




Gerard Wiseman

[Flyeroz]

These are more emails from the piranha debacle:
The first one is the response from the second....

Master website notice:
Your e-mail address and your name and information has been blocked
permanently. You will not be able to proceed with any other promotional
activity with Piranha Sports.

For any further enquires must be in writing to:

Administration Department

PO BOX 808

Braeside 3195

VICTORIA

Your name has been listed with operators and no calls will pass through, and
any further communication must be in writing.

Administration Department



That's exactly the same message I got tonight from Piranha - after I complained about their misleading advertising.

I have spoken to the Department of Fair Trading & they say it's a clear case of misleading advertising - Piranha
cannot artificially inflate the price of an item to make it more appealing.
I guess they don't really care about what people think - after you've send $29.95 they make their profits & it's end of story.
It's just a big scam.
I hope noone else gets sucked in! >:(

[westie]

Well here is my latest report from them .
I rang them yesterday and asked where my REPLACEMENT rod had got to, as I was told 3 weeks ago that I did get the wrong one and they would send out the right one as soon as the new lot arrived.
The one I got back in Jan was a 2pc spin and the quality was not up to scratch, But I would say $20 top dollar value only.

Told yesterday SORRY and that she was doing the label up as we spoke and would get it in the post that day and should get it Thursday Or Friday. ( Yes This WEEK )

We leave for a Holiday on Sunday so if it comes Friday I will let you know what it is like.

I have not been abusive to them, but let them know the quality was NOT GOOD and the Rod was not worth the money they say.

They excepted this comment and apologised for the inconvenience and will get the right one out ASAP.

Steve

[bidkev]

Bloody hell Gerard, I wouldn't like to cross you! :o You're like a terrier down a rat hole ;D Good on yer mate.

kev

I don't feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and
intellect has intended us to forgo their use.

[Davey]

I received my 3 pce 70 estuary rod today and agree it's not a $189 rod. Interestingly in my package was also a catalogue of their whole range. By their own admission in the catalogue the retail price of the rod I got is $75. ( it's true worth is nowhere near that much either, you could move the decimal point to the left one digit I'd say). That could be grounds for false advertising!
The package also included an important update letter which bags the crap out of modern fishing for their "unprofessional and false statements"
Also in the package is a $100 gift voucher. the purpose in my view does two things for Prianha, firstly if you were foolish enough to go back for seconds or alternatively give it to someone you are not that fond of, it would expand their mailing list and secondly generate more profit from the postage and handling.
Lets face it Piranha are a mail order company profiting from postage revenue.
Nowhere on their paperwork will you find a physical address, only a Po Box number.
With a mailing list of 10 to 15 thousand so far you would expect a large proportion to be unwittingly happy with their new $189 rods, and will keep on buying or should I say sending postage money!
Unfortunately I think Modern Fishing has damaged their credibility as well. I made my decision to get into this scheme partly because of the reputation of MF and of course because I'd spill more than $30 worth on friday night :-/

[piranhahq1]

It amazes me the ignorance of some fishermen out there. Apart from damaging a promotion that benefits Australian anglers sometimes makes me wonder what it is about these people talking so badly about Piranha Sport. First of all if the Editor of Modern Fishing Magazine approved the promotion was because he understood what type of product was offered to the readers. We did not bag Modern Fishing we just explained the situation. Secondly if you must know the prices in the mail order catalogue are cheaper than the RRP as the product does not carry further costs such as a retail outlet, rent and employees ect. On the issue that we make money on postage and handling let me explain that the handling cost starts from when the product has finished the manufacturing. The process from there is it goes to packaging area then transported to the airport that gets into a plane by FedEx and gets on a FedEx truck that goes through customs and pays its import duties. It then goes to our distribution centre where 30 Australian Citizens have full time employment and packages the product with the proper information. From then and only then the Australian Post picks it up to deliver to your door step. If you must know why don’t you find out for yourself how much it would cost you to bring 12,000 rods by plane from any overseas country of your choice and then you will realize why it will cost $29.95 for Postage and Handling….. As I don’t know you personally but I wish I could so I could sue you for slandering. Be a man for the first time in your life and tell me who you are so we can discuss any problem that you have with Piranha Sport brand in front of a Judge!!!! I am sick and tired of ignorant people like yourself that’s what gives a country as beautiful as Australia a bad reputation.

And if you must know why we give free rods away it amazes me how you survive in a simple society as it’s a very easy explanation. I don’t give away $150,000 prize money in a competition nor do I spend $25,000 per magazine which is a total of $250,000 per month to a total of $3 million dollars a year nor should I have to pay shelving space in major supermarkets to a total of half a million a year like my competitors do. I prefer to produce the rods to the value of 4 million a year and give it away to the anglers. But I strongly believe it’s too confusing for your brain cells. So I am asking you please nicely, I don’t know who you are, stop slandering my brand as it is strongly damaging not me or my brand but to the opportunity of satisfying anglers to receive their free rods for the duration of 2006. And if you have a problem with my brand you have a problem directly with me as this is a family business. I will be in Melbourne in Feb 2007 and would be more than happy to discuss the brand problems with you face to face but once more always remember that if you want to destroy this brand, your definably not destroying me as I am already established around the world but you are renewing Australian families and their opportunity to work for a company as so many manufactures are closing down in Australia and going overseas.

[piranhahq1]

AMAZING MR GERALD WISEMAN, APART FROM BEING A RAT IN A HOLE LIKE THE PREVOUS MENTION ONE.. WHY DON'T YOU STOP LIEING TO YOUR OWN CUSTOMERS AS I FOUND OUT BY YOUR OWN MISTAKE (DH) YOU SENT ME AN E-MAIL FROM YOUR WEBSITE AUSFISH.COM SO YOUR NOT JUST A MEMBER LIKE YOU MENTIONED BEFORE AND NOT THAT YOU HAVE TIME IN FRONT OF YOUR COMPUTOR BECAUSE OF YOUR FATHER BEING SICK ITS CAUSE YOU SPENT ALL THE TIME ON THE COMPUTOR BECAUSE YOU RUN THIS FORUM, I SEE YOU IN COURT. AND LIKE YOU SAID TO ME BEFORE I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUCH EVERY DOLLAR OUT OF YOUR POCKETS YOU JUST MET YOUR MATCH!!! I DARE YOU TO KEEP THIS MESSAGE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE, BY THE WAY ALL OF YOUR POSTS HAVE BEEN COPIES AND SENT OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT!

[borisdog]

Well. This should be fun from here on in. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[wiseguy67]

AMAZING MR GERALD WISEMAN, APART FROM BEING A RAT IN A HOLE LIKE THE PREVOUS MENTION ONE.. WHY DON'T YOU STOP LIEING TO YOUR OWN CUSTOMERS AS I FOUND OUT BY YOUR OWN MISTAKE (DH) YOU SENT ME AN E-MAIL FROM YOUR WEBSITE AUSFISH.COM SO YOUR NOT JUST A MEMBER LIKE YOU MENTIONED BEFORE AND NOT THAT YOU HAVE TIME IN FRONT OF YOUR COMPUTOR BECAUSE OF YOUR FATHER BEING SICK ITS CAUSE YOU SPENT ALL THE TIME ON THE COMPUTOR BECAUSE YOU RUN THIS FORUM, I SEE YOU IN COURT. AND LIKE YOU SAID TO ME BEFORE I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUCH EVERY DOLLAR OUT OF YOUR POCKETS YOU JUST MET YOUR MATCH!!! I DARE YOU TO KEEP THIS MESSAGE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE, BY THE WAY ALL OF YOUR POSTS HAVE BEEN COPIES AND SENT OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT!


Alex: please get my name correct, drop the L it's Gerard not Gerald
here is a link to another forum for your personal reading satisfaction.

http://www.ausfish.com.au/cgi-ausfish/yabb2/YaBB.cgi?num=1138575653

[wiseguy67]

crickey there seems to be web forums all over the net about these quality free rods:

Here's one with the opening comment from the editor of Modern fishing Magazine:

http://www.fishnet.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=48121&highlight=pirahna

There yet are other websites having discussions on the same issue I will leave it up to your legal team to sort it out.

[imported_admin]

AMAZING MR GERALD WISEMAN, APART FROM BEING A RAT IN A HOLE LIKE THE PREVOUS MENTION ONE.. WHY DON'T YOU STOP LIEING TO YOUR OWN CUSTOMERS AS I FOUND OUT BY YOUR OWN MISTAKE (DH) YOU SENT ME AN E-MAIL FROM YOUR WEBSITE AUSFISH.COM SO YOUR NOT JUST A MEMBER LIKE YOU MENTIONED BEFORE AND NOT THAT YOU HAVE TIME IN FRONT OF YOUR COMPUTOR BECAUSE OF YOUR FATHER BEING SICK ITS CAUSE YOU SPENT ALL THE TIME ON THE COMPUTOR BECAUSE YOU RUN THIS FORUM, I SEE YOU IN COURT. AND LIKE YOU SAID TO ME BEFORE I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUCH EVERY DOLLAR OUT OF YOUR POCKETS YOU JUST MET YOUR MATCH!!! I DARE YOU TO KEEP THIS MESSAGE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE, BY THE WAY ALL OF YOUR POSTS HAVE BEEN COPIES AND SENT OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT!



The owner of the E-mail address you mentioned is not associated with this website, other than the fact that they have used a free E-mail service that we offer and are a member of the chat board.

You can get your own free Ausfish.com.au E-mail address by going to our home page http://www.ausfish.com.au

Look forward to seeing your apology posted here for calling me a (DH) as you put it.


Please also have another read of the rules of the chatboard again, that you read and agreed to when you signed up. A copy of which can be found at
http://www.ausfish.com.au/cgi-ausfish/yabb2/YaBB.cgi?num=1075278500



If you continue with your manner you will be banned from this website.

[gone_phishin]

Classy, Steve, classy...... 8-)

Onya *Gerald*.... ;D

[fishingnottake]

weak

[Burley_Boy]

Now I would have thought that the tone of the response letter above from Piranha management would not be conducive to building a positive reputation of your brand.
Obviously penned in anger and poorly at that I'd suggest that instead of spending money on your legal department you can do a lot worse than employing a trained customer relations manager who might be able to express themselves in a better way.

Failing that drop the caps and switch on the spell checker.
Cheers BB :-*

[wiseguy67]

Has your free rod arrived and are you content with what you got?
If you are not happy; for example the rod is not what you expected it to be, please contact me: PM or
wiseguy67@ausfish.com.au
for further details.
Please provide your name and phone number.
Regards,
Gerard

[fish2eat]

Hey Gerard,

I be very surprised if you ever hear from his legal team.....you already know the value of previous promises.

[Gbanger]

hahahaha 'legal team' ill bet their office is 'the kitchen' the research department is in 'the bedroom' and i reakon the quality control and customer satisfaction department is in 'the outhouse'

good work piranahq1!!!

[PinHead]

Too funny that so called response from piranha...surely he/she/it is not serious...if that is their best effort at Englsih then perhaps they are not suited to operating a business successfuly here.

"AMAZING MR GERALD WISEMAN, APART FROM BEING A RAT IN A HOLE LIKE THE PREVOUS MENTION ONE (should be "previous post mentioned".. WHY DON'T YOU STOP LIEING "lying" TO YOUR OWN CUSTOMERS AS I FOUND OUT BY YOUR OWN MISTAKE (DH)"tut tut...name calling really just shows low intellect and very poor debating skills" YOU SENT ME AN E-MAIL FROM YOUR WEBSITE AUSFISH.COM SO YOUR NOT JUST A MEMBER LIKE YOU MENTIONED BEFORE AND NOT THAT YOU HAVE TIME IN FRONT OF YOUR COMPUTOR BECAUSE OF YOUR FATHER BEING SICK ITS CAUSE YOU SPENT ALL THE TIME ON THE COMPUTOR BECAUSE YOU RUN THIS FORUM"some punctuation would not go astray"..my email address is bigpond.net.au..does that mean I own Biglond..you bewdy!!!, I SEE YOU IN COURT "should be..I will see you in court". AND LIKE YOU SAID TO ME BEFORE I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUCH"should this be "suck"..something you obviously do well EVERY DOLLAR OUT OF YOUR POCKETS YOU JUST MET YOUR MATCH!!! I DARE YOU TO KEEP THIS MESSAGE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE, BY THE WAY ALL OF YOUR POSTS HAVE BEEN COPIES AND SENT OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT! you said it is a family business...is the legal department your mother's aunt's brother's illegitimate son perhaps???

I am terribly sorry but due to your poor literacy skills you will not be able to go up to Grade 3 this year.

So many threats and so little substance in all of it...why not just give the people their money back.
I get the innuendo in the company name now..piranha..just like the fish..bites and destroys the unsuspecting

[revs57]

I'm with gone_phishin'

love the yellow card Steve ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Sportfish_5]

LMFAO ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

This guy has been doing the same sort of posts on nearly every fishing forum in Australia.


Ahh think Ill be OK without one of them flash free rods ;D ;D ;D


Cheers

Greg

[dasher]

Please no banning of our mate Steve. ::) Have we got a benchmark for the deepest hole anyone on this site has dug for themselves. ;D Our marketting genius must be close, maybe only needs a bigger shovel. ;D ;D ;D

[wiseguy67]

.

[Redapion]

Hi All,

My son got his free (but $30 postage) rod and is very happy with it. I personally also thought that it was extremely good value for the $30 postage. We are going to try it on salmon down south in a couple of weeks and, assuming we hit some schools, that should be a good test for it.

I didn't read all the previous posts but I was surprised by the hostile overtunes of many of the ones I did read. I would understand if rods were promised but didn't arrive but it seems to me that even after they did arrive a lot of people were still aggressive.

I also didn't see that many people were saying thanks for the free rod so I thought that I would. I have nothing to do with the company but I don't think that it seems fair to attack somebody who is giving away free rods to promote his product, nor do I think that it is fair to attack somebody's emails for any gramatical errors or spelling mistakes (this email is sure to have some as well).

Why not give the rods a go and then judge them? If they rust, snap, fall to bits, etc then complain to the company so they can improve upon them and if the company fails to respond then complain to others. If they perform well then also tell others (and I'm sure that Pirhana sports would like to hear as well).

Fair go fellow Australians/fishermen.

Paul.

PS Salmon were suppose to be everywhere in the Perth metro area but we spent all day today trying for them and only saw 1 caught and that was by somebody else. (:<)

[wiseguy67]

The issue is the rod is not as described in the promotion/advertisement.
It was described to be a 10foot 2pc rod. NOT a 9'2" 3pc rod.
The quality is not even close to the stated $189.00
The spin that pianha sport intended to use to draw more customers was to give away a rod and expect that "word of mouth" would promote the company far better than spending money on advertising etc.

I agree the rod is a suitable rod for some, but not for those that take fishing more seriously.

I chose to send in my $30.00 because if the rod was as described it would of met my needs at the level I fish.

What convinced me at the time that the deal was NOT too good to be true was the advert was in a reputable magazine: Modern Fishing Magazine.

If i wanted to buy a $30.00 rod I would not do it sight unseen; bigw has kiddies rods for $30.00 of better quality and if there is any problems the rod can be returned to the store most of the time no questions asked.

For the record: I would not even consider buying a three pc rod.

What i received from Piranha sport was not as described in the offer, this is the issue, have I made myself clear enough.

Interesting to see what comes of this debacle.

For those who are not happy with Piranha sport, feel free to contact me for additional information relevant to satisfaction.

Tight Lines,

Gerard

hey kingtin heres one for you: love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own canoe.