Budds Bait & Marine Cleveland - going ............ going .............. almost gone!

[ThePinkPanther]

Having been around since Budds first opened their shop many years ago - twenty maybe - I have seen it slowly but steadily deteriorate into a poorly run and fairly useless outlet for the fisho!

When it first started, the owners were pretty rough and ready but you could get almost anything you wanted from tackle right through to a great selection of fresh (and frozen) bait.

They were always keen to help and though they loved shutting the place down right when needed (holidays) it was a damn good little business all the same.

From the time they sold the outlet, it has passed from one owner to another and always dropping one or more levels in service along the way.

The latest owner is the well known Mossops and this has to be the worst the shop has ever been.

Other than wall upon wall off lures and plastics, the "bait" bit has ceased to exist!

Those huge new freezers - from the previous owners - are now devoid of any type of bait other than the odd plastic crate holding half a dozen frozen mullet.

You can get the usual old crappy frozen stuff similar to Tweed Bait but ask for mullet frames - in season - fresh squid, mullet fillets, pillies, prawns and whatever, absolutely nothing.

Likewise the blood worm supply is very erratic and although a lot depends on the
(un)reliability of the diggers themselves, it is still hit and miss getting this bait. And when you do score, the price is huge, now about $2.00 PER WORM!!

And you have to watch pretty closely as last time I was a bit slow and got lumbered with all the tails, broken pieces and aged worms.

The guys in attendance don't seem to give a rats about customer service and can be damn rude by leaving you standing while they chat with a mate or such!

The Redlands is desperate for a quality bait 'n tackle shop and with the name and position, Budds (Mossops) should be able to take the lion's share of everything if only they could get some decent management who will get out of bed at dawn, go to the markets and fill up with with decent and good quality fresh bait!

Bit like the oft-bashed BCF, all that is lacking is good management!

Think I might start a shop myself ...........................

[tropicrows]

I agree we need a good shop in the Cleveland area, I have been in the Budds now Mossops a few times recently and have found it very disappointing. I also vowed to myself after the last time never to go in there again after, I was told the F#$K off by the guy behind the counter because I said I not happy with the time it took to get a reel serviced. Not a good way to build up a good client base..........

[sid_fishes]

i know a guy in victoria point that is trying his hardest to get it all right to fill that void. and my worms dont cost $2 each
Ian

[Muddy Toes]

I'm another one that can't be assed going to Budds/Mossops any more and fully agree that with every change of management the level of customer service seems to fall.
Its been a bit of a while since i've needed to buy tackle and bait but the last time i did i went down to the bait and tackle shop down the end of Colbourn Avenue at Victoria Point.They had everything i needed and the fella that runs it is always up for a yarn and has the customer service that mossops lacks.I'll be going there in the future.

[Tangles]

ditto to what Muddy Toes advice, the bait and tackle shop down the end of Colburn Ave closest to the ramp on the right hand side, plenty of bait, worms etc

cheers
Mike

[mowerman]

ditto to what Muddy Toes advice, the bait and tackle shop down the end of Colburn Ave closest to the ramp on the right hand side, plenty of bait, worms etc

cheers
Mike

Left hand side Mike.


Rod

.

[Tangles]

bugger!! ....right hand side if your leaving the ramp

[sleepygreg]

I hope these shops have a heap of drinks, chips, and chocolate bars available.......they are going to need something to sell that they are going to make some money on. I think the Internet squeeze is starting to bring the demise of the 'local' bait and tackle shop. There is no point them trying to sell rods and reels to the serious fishos......they cannot and never will be able to compete with the overseas internet operators, nor the backyard local operators who do not have to set up shopfronts. Much as this pisses me off...that is the way the world is going. Please someone prove me wrong....that the local bloke can thrive in this current economic environment.

[fishfeeder]

The last time I was at Budds it was fine. Had heaps of fresh squid and mullet which is what I was after....
But never had a lot of other fishing stuff but at the time I only wanted some bait... Oh and the guy behind the counter was fine and friendly. I guess I just got them on a good day.

That place should make lots of coin with the amount of boats that go past it to get to the ramp, and it even has easy pull in and out parking for the boat. Its a shame really

Cheers

[finga]

Yep, the bloke down the end of Colburn on the left hand side as your very close to the ramp is the go.
Good old fashioned service with a smile.
Fresh bait, frozen bait, tackle, rod and reel sales and rod repairs and some emergency boat/trailer bits on hand.

It's just like a bait and tackle shop should be. It's even got an old salty sitting on a chair out the front ready, willing and able to have a yarn if you have the time.
He's even open when you need him to be.

Oi Ian....Do you use the flashing orange beacon so people know exactly where you are when it's dark??

[sid_fishes]

scott, i sure do and works like a charm. the neighbours have had to put blockout curtains up i,m here so early some days

[wayno60]

If he was to change the orange flasher to red he might do a better trade after hours...

[rayken1938]

I have always had good friendly service from the gabba shop and reasonable prices on lures. I havent been to Cleveland shop since it changed hands. Will drop in and have a look for myself next week when I get back to Reddy Bay.
Cheers
Ray

[Reel]

Yeah i would like to endorse what Ray has said about the Gabba Store, always good old fashioned friendly service with a smile and reasonable prices. has been my experience. I am in small business and this is an incredibly tough and difficult year, so please continue to support the small business operstor.

[sid_fishes]

If he was to change the orange flasher to red he might do a better trade after hours...

Mate, i dont need to hey, all the ladies know where i am when their partners are fishing.....

It,s ALL about customer service

IAN