It pays to shop around ...

[destorman]

I know not everyone has the time ... but shopping around does pay ...

I've been looking at getting a 'bottom bashing' combo, and have been shopping around a couple of the larger bulk buying stores, not the 'department' stores more the sports and camping gear type shops ...

Then, I also checked a local tackle shop, who I thought would be way more expensive ... but I was wrong.

Here's what I directly compared ... a Shimano combo - Tekota 700 and Taipan Extreme 510 RT 15024kg rod.

Tackle shop price $299 (just reduced from $349).

One "sports style" bulk buy retailer ... reel $285, rod $99 (on special from $149), for a package price of $360 if I bought both.

The niche 'outdoor' style bulk buy retailer ... reel $280, rod $149 for a package price of $380 if I bought both.

So, the local tackle shop was by far the cheapest.

A huge surprise to me ... I really though the bulk buyers would have the price advantage.

I've just heard recently, while sharing the above experience, similar stories coming from guys regarding hardware and auto retailers.

Is this just a one off, or are other buyers finding this type of trend?

[FNQCairns]

I always let my fingers do the walking and find sometimes your experience is what I end up with, I have a new rod to buy and one of those bloody 406 boating silent beeper things soon, well worth shopping around.

I work on the principle that my money has it's own value so give me the best deal otherwise you loose the chance for for me to become a valued customer. I have a little list based on past exhaustive experience which I ring first and most times need ring no further, also the art of having something 'in stock' means a lot here in Cairns.

cheers fnq

[Noelm]

I really love that and now I will say to all "I TOLD YOU SO" it is pretty common knowledge to most here that I fully support the 'little guy" and even if it is a few dollars more I will still get it from him/her, rather than a Multi National chain who do not give a fairies fart if I ever come back, and MOST staff will do their best to hide from you (not all) and if you do find a helpfull person you only get, yep, no, don't know, answers! I am sooo happy about it.

[Flattie Assassin]

Sure does. I'm gonna make sure i check out all the local tackle stores before i purchase a new reel. I've decided i'm buying a Daiwa at around the 400 mark in a 1500. Anyone offer any advice?

[secret relations]

keep in mind that the big retailers do employ local people, so your money does kind of stay locally when you shop with them.

BUT, in saying hardware/gardenstore that has the supid annoying ads becuase i don't know what i need normally, and the service is sh*t. I also know that they are not cheaper on stocked items, they OCCASIONALY have specials to get you in, but everything else is not cheap thats for sure. I prefer to walk into the local hardware shop, see the same guy i saw last week, get him to tell me what i need and show me how to use it.

The same goes for tackle and bait. The bigger retailers might be cheaper on a particular combo that they bought 5000 of becuase the supplier couldn't move them. Apart from that they are no cheaper than the local guys, why would they be? They work on the assumption that you have gone to them becuase you "can get everything under the one roof". So they assume that you are going to knowingly, or unknowingly pay more for that privledge.

My local bait and tackle shop couldn't be better for me. When we moved to the coast not only did the owner take me out fishing to show me where to go, how to get in and out safely etc, they also are more than happy to tell you where the fish are biting and what to catch them on as he likes to get out a bit, and obviously gets the info from his customers.

[nigelr]

SR, had to laugh, what you say about that large h'ware/g'dning mob is SO true!
Cheers.

[Blackened]

G'day

That's so true, and common knowledge. I support my local guy with what he carries and can get in, also recieve a discount and he promotes my business.

Merrick, have a good look at the Daiwa Sol. I have a 2000 sized one, and its magic to use.

Dave

[Ryan.S]

I decided to by a cheap baitcaster combo from bcf 2 weeks ago. Since it was my first baitcaster i just wanted a cheapy to get used to them. Paid $119 for a Abu combo. Since then have seen it cheaper twice. Big W was $68. Spewin. Shouldv shoped around.

[Synful]

Yep, Got to agree there....

Also FNQ has hot the nail on the head.

Did others mention BCF?? Unless they have a real good bargain or you just need "that special something" then you are 95% of times going to be better off with your local tackle shop.

Even if they are a bit more expensive; the main thing to remember is that they know the local area and also fish it; this is priceless knowledge - try putting a price on that type of service at BCF

[Noelm]

just on the hardware store thing, My Daughter is building a Deck on the back of her house (that is I am doing it) and she called Bunnings for prices (as people do) and then magnet mart and they gave her the prices, both almost the same, BUT they did not have the Timber we needed, so she then called the "Little Guy" (that I go to) and they were much cheaper AND had it all in stock, plus deliver it for free, same day if needed, so guess where she and her Husband will be Shopping from now on (I hope anyway)

[rando]

My local dudded me once too often, $17 to fit a Sic Tip to a10-15 kg rod.
Ill never go back.Even though it means driving 20ks to get my tackle.

[DR]

My local dudded me once too often, $17 to fit a Sic Tip to a10-15 kg rod.
Ill never go back.Even though it means driving 20ks to get my tackle.

that depends on what sort of sic tip you had fitted. they aren't real cheap..
http://www.therodworks.com.au/index....pshop&Itemid=1

[Noelm]

geees sounds like the $17 might have been a bargain then!

[theoldlegend]

I was in BCF some weeks ago and saw some combos there for $49.95.

Didn't really pay much attention to it, but then we got their catalogue in the mail shortly after I saw the combos, and they were $59.95, a $10 increase! And they were advertised as being on special!

Went back just to have a look, and yep, they were the same things.


TOL

[Noelm]

well they certainly were a special price, it does not say that they are cheaper, just "on special"