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Supporting local tackle shops

Paul Garner said:
Don't get me started on local tackle shops. I tried to support my local tackle shop in High Wycombe when I first moved into the area about 10 years ago (no prizes for guessing who, their reputation preceeds them and I was warned that I probably didn't want to shop there) but a **** attitute and customer service meant I shopped elsewhere.

Just to relate one of several examples (yes, for some reason against my better judgement I gave them several chances, they failed each time). When I go into the local Daiwa stockist (the only one in the area) with two hundred quid in my hand I at least think it's reasonable for them to order a rod for me if they don't have it in stock. They can't carry everything in stock and I accept that and was willing to put down fifty pounds cash as a deposite if they would order it for me (at the full RRP). Their answer .. "sorry mate, it's too much trouble". So I asked if they know of any other Daiwa stockist who might be able to help me. Their answer .. "sorry mate, can't help you".

They wonder why they struggled for business.
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Have they closed down not so long ago?
 
I guess I must just be lucky in the shops I use locally. They will order in anything the don't stock a good range of bits and pieces and also good banter and info on how it has been fishing locally. As some of you have pointed out it is all about service yet some still seem to think they are doing you a favour. I admit some high end items I purchase on ebay but that is just due to my eye for a bargain and the wife can smell new tackle at a 1000 yards.
 
Adam Ditchburn said:
Have they closed down not so long ago?
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Yes Adam, they closed down several months ago. Before they left, they told me that one of their employees was taking over the business, but that his venture was doomed to failure before it even started. However, in view of their attitude problems and dire treatment of customers, I took that as more of the same and in my mind wished him well. Unfortunately, for various reasons I have not been fishing for some time and so have not had occasion to return, so have no idea of the current situation.

Cheers, Dave.
 
one tackle shop i know refused to knock a fiver off a £605 purchase.defo not business man of the month.needless to say my mate does not shop there anymorealbert
 
What colne valley baits Dave?
 
Not sure Dave. I went in there a couple of times, got chatty with the guy running it, but they seemed to have a very limited range of bait, none of which was of particular interest to me, so I didn't bother with it any more.

When you say "What happened to it", do you mean it has gone, and you were wondering why....or were you just wondering how it is doing? :D

Cheers, Dave.
 
Yes the shop has gone been gone a while now but i notice that Harefield Tackle has a load of Colne Valley Baits freezer boilies in their freezer...Fise and liver pate sounds good...I never went in the shop when it was there though..
 
Didn't you do any good on them Dave? They sound good:)
 
John Cook said:
Didn't you do any good on them Dave? They sound good:)
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to be honest, boilies are my 3rd or 4th choice.
but always good to have.
got so many types in the bottom of the freezer, time for a good clean out this summer.
 
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Dave, John,

I know one problem was that John at Harefield was not best pleased when that Mill End shop sprang up, calling themselves Colne Valley Baits. John had been producing and selling bait and stuff he produced under that name for many years, guided by 'Prof' (one half of the famous fishing brothers in the area...can't remember his real name)....remember the CV rig, for instance? I know strong words were spoken early on, with neither side wanting to shift far...perhaps that's what went wrong?

Cheers, Dave.
 
David Gauntlett said:
Dave, John,

I know one problem was that John at Harefield was not best pleased when that Mill End shop sprang up, calling themselves Colne Valley Baits. John had been producing and selling bait and stuff he produced under that name for many years, guided by 'Prof' (one half of the famous fishing brothers in the area...can't remember his real name)....remember the CV rig, for instance? I know strong words were spoken early on, with neither side wanting to shift far...perhaps that's what went wrong?

Cheers, Dave.
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bit of a graveyard for tackle shops that mill end,
Tudor, which shut, then it reopened on another name, new owners, that lasted 5 minutes, across the road, we had specialist tackle, he was there about 1 year and now this one.
 
3pm yesterday went to local Tackle shop to buy a packet of Korum quickstops brown, Owner told me sorry dont stock them mate, and the Local expert that is always hanging around tackle shops said try half a match stick. Came home, went on Ebay found what i wanted at Invicta tackle
paid by Paypal at 4pm, item arrived 16 hours later today at 8am. I Know where i will be shopping in the future.
 
Thats it Ray you cant argue with that can you? Or you go in the tackle shop to buy something and its sorry we dont stock them but try these they do the same job and like a fool you buy them and the item is a load of ****:(
 
Ray Thorpe said:
3pm yesterday went to local Tackle shop to buy a packet of Korum quickstops brown, Owner told me sorry dont stock them mate, and the Local expert that is always hanging around tackle shops said try half a match stick. Came home, went on Ebay found what i wanted at Invicta tackle
paid by Paypal at 4pm, item arrived 16 hours later today at 8am. I Know where i will be shopping in the future.
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So because he never had a very specific item that you needed (It would be impossible to stock every bead/stop/sleeve etc etc etc that someone might just come in and ask for) you aren't going to use him any more ? Bit short sighted innit ? :rolleyes:
Can't believe some of the posts on this thread, my local shop J+K is great , i.ve always had good friendly service from them, ok they sometimes don't have what i want but thats fine, i'll then either go elsewhere or wait for them to get it for me.I repeat, they CANNOT POSSIBLY stock every item thats on the market and neither can some internet company.
 
You will always get what you want on the internet a bigger choice of sellers, and a lot of them are Tackle shops that have seen the light. So still supporting Tackle shops if maybe not my local one,
 
Good and Bad

Wherever possible I will support my local shop-partly selfishly because I will always need somewhere to get odds and sods, and bait. Having just moved to Reading, I can say I was underwhelmed with how helpful one shop was (spent about £80), made a vow to myself to put my business elsewhere. Calling into another shop-totally different attitude-helpful on which clubs were good, gave me specific directions on how to get to various stretches etc they have less of a range, but were far more helpful(now they are what I regard as my local).
I don't expect them to have everything, but customer service I take as given (I guess this can vary regardless of size of business), it does'nt cost anything, and pays off in the long run. I get all of my tackle at the local shop, and always give them the opportunity to price match (or get close to the price from an outlet), for a larger item. A smile and an interest, helpful tips are always appreciated.

Cheers DT
 
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