Don't Fall For It!

[bidkev]

Yes,................alright ::) ........I know that I'm a whingeing Pomm ::) but don't fall for Shakespeare's tackle bag promo running with the sale of Ugly Stiks.

They offer a tackle bag for $9.95 (RRP $29.95) Now I know that it says "tackle bag" but with a RRP of 29.95 I thought it may at least come with tackle boxes to fit in the bag as I bought a similar bag from you know where for 14.95 which came with three boxes/trays and 2 side pouches and as it turns out, is also much better quality than Shakespeare's.

Nope! You get exactly what it says ::)....a bag..........no tackle boxes to fit.........no side pouches.......just a pretty little bit of embroidery promoting Ugly Stik on a thin (material) bag.

OK, they've sold me exactly what the promo states but add $3 for the money order and at $12.95 I think Shakespeare have produced some pretty crap marketing............I'm dissapointed in a company that with it's experience, should know better........apart for the embroidery, a bag similar to this would sell for less than 5 bucks at Crazy Clarke's or similar store. The money wasted means little to me, it's the infuriating fact that companies still think that they can get away with these ridiculous marketing ploys and probably do...........I suppose they now expect me to buy some of their tackle boxes to fit in it ::)...........buyer beware.......Shakespeare take care..........you are doing more damage than good to your reputation :(

kev

[charleville]

Thanks for the heads-up on this, Kev. ;)

Shakespeare is a brand that I would not normally be conscious of, even though they are pretty visible in the shops.

However, a couple of years ago, I bought a cheap Shakespeare spinning reel at that sports store that cannot be named on this site and ryhymes with Hey Mart, to marry with a $35 Penn rod (K-Mart 30% discount sale) as a spare rig for visitors to my boat. The reel was about $50. I have it loaded with a quality brand 30 lb mono. Thus for under $100, I have a rig that will be ok for snapper fishing for my guests.

As it turns out, I have come to like that cheap little reel very much and I use it a lot myself. The line flows off it very smoothly when I cast it and the drag is quite smooth and works very well. It has served me very well catching snapper to 74cm and a whole lot more solid fish under that size. :)

However, the thing that continues to amaze me is how the screws that hold the thing together have all rusted and started to do so at an early stage. :( It seems to me that if the screws on a fishing reel actually rust then they are not "fit-for-purpose" as the consumer lawyers are apt to say. >:(

My solution has simply been to regularly put a drop of oil on top of the screws to slow down the rust but I am continually amazed that in production quantities, even a cheap litlle reel like that cannot justify having stainless steel screws of any quality.

From that experience, I have assumed that Shakespeare is a very basic brand and not worthy of any further purchases. So much so that whenever I see their brand in the shops, i don't even bother looking at the products.

That is really a shame as, like I said, the actual design of my little Shakespeare reel is very good. :(

[Az]

dont get me started on this! I fell for it on their last running, all you get is a fricken bag!!!! I was also expecting tackle boxes inside >:( >:(

[Cheech]

Funny that. I bought one a while ago. I thought I was getting just a bag, and I got a bag. Good quality and is a perfect size to throw a few things in for a short trip.

Happy with my purchase. Even considered buying a second!

Each to their own I suppose.

Cheech

[novice23]

Their aim should be to exceed customer expectation not fall short of it. Unlucky champ!
You have a beaut fishing rod though. My first rod was a small and whippy ugly stick. It caught hundreds of bream and trevally from the tweed river walls and a hand full of squire from the bay; got run over by a car (twice) - long story but flatmate parks in the garage- and it's still going strong.
If you look after yours a bit better than i looked after mine, it'll last you a very long time.

[timddo]

Mate, there is a saying, WHAT'S FREE IS GOOD AND WHATS CHEAP IS SHIT. Basically you get what you pay for

[Sportfish_5]

Pay peanuts get monkeys ;D ;D ;D

[bidkev]

Mate, there is a saying, WHAT'S FREE IS GOOD AND WHATS CHEAP IS SHIT. Basically you get what you pay for


Yes, I agree but don't miss the point. This offer is supposed to be a "reward" for buying an Ugly Stik and the bag's so-called usual retail price is 29.95 (so they say, although I haven't seen 'em on sale anywhere) so you would expect it to match up to that price. As I say, it doesn't even match up to the 9.95 price IMHO.

I couldn't give a rats arse about the money as this was the offer attached to the deckie's birthday prezzie and I'd got a bargain with the rod price anyway. I'm simply trying to warn those others that may think that by dealing with a "reputable" company, they may expect the bag to be a good deal and it ain't.

kev

[Seahorse]

i bought the rod cause i liked it. then saw the tag, sent it away. we got 2 bags. take them all the time. iam happy.

[Bundy_Burp]

Thanks for the info kev I know someone who was thinking about buying one of those I'll let them know what you said .

Bundy 8-)

[Great_White]

Kev thanks for the heads up although it may be to late. Got Janine an Ugly stick for her birthday and she sent off for the bag already. :( :( :(

I guess its a wait and see but I would expect a bit of bang for your bucks as you said a reward for buying Shakespeare >:( >:( >:(

Peter. :(

[Az]

should be advertised as an "ugly stick bag" not a tackle bag, it would be like getting a 'tackle box' with no places to put your tackle

[bidkev]

should be advertised as an "ugly stick bag" not a tackle bag, it would be like getting a 'tackle box' with no places to put your tackle

Exactly Az.........it's a holdall..........nothing mnore, nothing less and a cheap and shoddy one at that. No side pockets and top opening only with thin material that can't even support itself and straps are merely strips of cloth!

Recommended retail Price $29.95? :o ::) They must be joking! >:(

They need to lift their game if they are to keep their customer base.

kev

[bidkev]

A competitor's product. RRP the same 29.95 although I bought it on special at 14.95.

Note end webbing pouches and opening from either side with zipped pouches inside each flap.

[bidkev]

Good quality straps and extra double zip pouch on front flap.

[bidkev]

4 good quality tackle boxes included in price.

What I am merely trying to do here is help others avoid buying crap when there is a better product on the market for similar price and to illustrate that just 'cause something is well reduced in price that doesn't mean to say that it is worth the reduced price, let alone the RRP.

I was weened on Shakespeare products and at one time they were the market leader for coarse fishing gear in the UK and were renowned for quality.

It's a sad day when Jarvis Walker can beat Shakespeare hands down when it comes to value for money and quality of product.

kev