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goodbye leslies of Luton.

I have to say that I'm not disappointed to hear that they've closed down.

It's a shame that their very originally named 'BFW' range that appeared when Barbel Fishing World was generating a lot of interest and traffic a few years ago couldn't keep the ship sailing.
 
I did 30 yrs in building up 3 retail newsagents to success.smile at them and welcome the young ones as well.nothing too much trouble and the customer is always right even if you don't think so.here ended the first lesson.smile as you take the money
Albert
 
Damn was going to buy their BFW rucksack - one of the few where the straps will attach a chair. Have to say i never had an issue with them but then i never spoke to anyone.
 
Derek Funcks said:
Always swore by my local tackle shop, until, an eagle eyed customer noticed he was selling his maggots using an " american pint jug " ( smaller than ours ) :eek:, and " always had his thumb " on the inside. How sneaky is that. I now travel a further 5 miles for bait. :mad: How many sales has he lost cos of his penny pinching ?????
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Used a pub many years ago that used 1/4 Gill measured from a little measure jug things for spirits not on the gantry optics stuff, he got done by weights and measures or whatever they were called because the landlord geezer had stuck/glued a coin (2p or something) to the bottom of the measure:eek:

Stephen

P.S. Not in Yorkshire
 
Another vote for Browns in Leighton Buzzard. I gave up on Leslies a few years ago when as the only customer at the desk they ignored me to take call after call on the phone. And I had a couple of Hundreds quids worth of stuff to buy. I left the stuff on the counter and went mail order elsewhere.

Browns is customer focused and parking very easy. And you can drop your lawnmower off for service as well!!
 
Ringwood Tackle (Richard) and Avon Angling (Martine & Andy) both in Ringwood, also Homestores (Colin) in Swaythling Southampton, always seem to have time for their customers. Unfortunately I don't get to spend as much time in the shops as I'd like to.
 
Another vote here for Browns, excellent parking, good looking staff catering for all types of anglers ;-)
 
Just like to add my tuppence worth and say I have never had anything but great service and friendly advice from the three shops that I've used over the years in the Bewdley / Kidderminster area. Mal Storeys. Bewdley tackle and Stan Lewis's (although sadly Stan has passed away now). The staff have always been first class. On line may save some cash at times. but the advice and convenience of having first class shops on the doorstep to me is priceless. Have a great 2015 all and Take care. kindest Jim.
 
Anyone living in the Wolverhampton area should take a look at Fatties Tackle in Griffiths Drive Ashmore Park Wednesfield,loads of quality tackle and bait for the specialist angler and friendly staff,well worth a look.
 
Wish I had never posted this. Far too many negative posts. Although I was far from a regular each time I entered this former establishment I was greeted and at the till was chatted to.

Hopefully if any of your personal business or where ever you work doesn't go bankrupt or into insolvency. It's a horrible feeling not having a job or living.

Mods could this post be deleted please. I feel far too much negativity has been leeches onto here. Which isn't in keeping or conducive of the ethos of the site.

Many thanks.
 
Jeff Collins said:
Wish I had never posted this. Far too many negative posts. Although I was far from a regular each time I entered this former establishment I was greeted and at the till was chatted to.

Hopefully if any of your personal business or where ever you work doesn't go bankrupt or into insolvency. It's a horrible feeling not having a job or living.

Mods could this post be deleted please. I feel far too much negativity has been leeches onto here. Which isn't in keeping or conducive of the ethos of the site.

Many thanks.
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The comments are indicative are how the service was to the majority that replied, and it is a lesson that you should never in retail especially be complacent when it comes to good customer care. Perhaps the worst example of that was the chap who left all his items on the counter because the staff were more interested in answering the 'phone, that as a ex store salesman / manager gives me a cold sweat, inexcusable.
 
Knew you would be the first to pipe up. Wonder how many of you slating the shop off addressed the issue in person.

Very few I'll wager. It takes two to make a debate, or simply post a thread a many miles away.

Long live the conversation down with the Internet.
 
Jeff, there were a fair amount of positive comments about various establishments also ! In a world of increasing competition it just highlights that retailers can't just sit on the wave of past glory/sucess and expect the money to keep rolling in as a god given right. I don't enjoy seeing any legitimate business fail but sometimes they can be masters of their own destiny.
 
Jeff, no one is attacking you personally over this or invalidating your own experience. It's just that some people had a very different experience. I think the thread has developed quite nicely into what does/doesn't make for a successful tackle shop. Plus, it contains some good plugs (see what I did there?) for tackle shops that deliver a quality service. I don't see any reason for taking the thread down.
 
Jeff, with respect, I don't think it fair to start a thread and then ask the mods to delete it when the resulting posts do not concur with your sentiments.
I agree that it is depressing to wittness the demise of a business, especially when it is linked to your hobby and I hope that Leslies demise is not indicative of a downturn in angling.
I've no idea why they've stopped trading but have always regarded them as nothing more than a comparison site, because, like Bennetts they encouraged credit sales, and charged RRP prices, which were always undercut by others.
Perhaps some of the posts on this topic should have been aired at an earlier stage, as a red light to the owners that all was not well.
Some of the big players in angling retail become faceless and I would always prefer to do business with the smaller, ... more personal shops that are well stocked, friendly and ready to do a deal ... and make me a decent mug of coffee!
If a good relationship is established at a shop the reward from punters is loyalty even if it means not paying the absolute bottom price for some items.

Two of my favourite shops are in Ringwood and one other in Hereford. All of these businesses are run by good knowledgeable people who just want their customers to catch locally and come back for more. I give you Avon Angling, Ringwood Tackle and Woody's,... All of whom have survived tough times because they offer that little bit extra and don't take their customers for granted.
 
Hi men,

Can't see a problem with the thread at all Jeff regarding moderating it . People are allowed to air their views , and as the thread ebbed and flowed it sort of changed into recommendations of good tackle shops , which can only be a good thing on a fishing forum :D.

Personally I posted first on the thread , expressed a sadness at people losing their jobs , and another tackle shop closing . There are to many people commenting about the customer service for it to be a coincidence , and the Facebook post about it showed the problem to be common !. Obviously it's easier to moan about bad service , rather than praise good , but that's what us humans are like :D . I did in fact complain to the shop , directly to Kevin, and as I say I give people a chance , more than one , then vote with my feet . It's a good thread Jeff , and that's how threads work , rarely ending up on subject it started on ;).


Hatter
 
Jeff Collins said:
Knew you would be the first to pipe up. Wonder how many of you slating the shop off addressed the issue in person.

Very few I'll wager. It takes two to make a debate, or simply post a thread a many miles away.

Long live the conversation down with the Internet.
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Well I will 'pipe' up if I think it merits it, and this merits it, I agree it is good to talk, but it is not the customers requirement to take the initiative, it is the staff that should do that, so I guess your comment that the customer should address the issue' is odd, customers vote with their feet, as it seems they did in this case.

I many years ago took over the management of a retail shop in North London, the staff were gone when I got there, so it was just me, first thing I did was to tidy up the place and make folk who came in feel welcomed and that's it really Jeff, the turnover trebled, there is no magic formula no matter what your business is Tyres or a Tea Shop, it works.

Unfortunately, retail is not for everyone, some staff feel it is demeaning to serve, no one likes gushing salespeople or the ''Have a Nice Day'' American thing, but there is no excuse to ignore your customers or treat them with contempt, sadly it is very much a British thing to do just that.
 
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