Tackle Dealers – Biased Opinions?

[Kingman]

As you are probably all aware I am in the process of buying a replacement top of the range pole. This has got me in conversation with tackle dealers who might have the poles in stock.
In conversation with one very well known and large tackle shop the guy was absolutely scathing about one of my pole choices (which he didnt have in stock)and tried to persuade me all of the models he had in stock were far better. The model I was interested in (a £2k pole) was descibed as a £1k pole with lots of spares, crap finish, finish scrapes off when you put the joints together, cheap Chinese manufacter, squeezy joints etc etc.
It has obviously had a negative effect on my opinions of this pole. Do you feel tackle dealers should be this biased? or is it human nature to “hard sell” those items you have in stock and trash all other options?

[TF_Decaff]

Could he be right though!

[TF_Johnny Mac]

Which pole was it??

[Kingman]

Drennan Zircon

[TF_Decaff]

Maybe your right,i’ve owned a fair bit of Drennan gear & never could it be said that it was poor in quality.Haven’t seen one of these yet though.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, it seems very common for tackle dealers to promote what they have and criticise what they haven’t. The amount of times i’ve heard someone ask for a specific product and then the dealer say ‘What, them ? You don’t want one of those. What you want is ‘ etc etc. Everyone will have an opinion and some will be positive and others negative. It’s only your opinion which counts.

As an example, I read with interest the review which was in AT on the Garbolino Super G10. Made it sound very light (850g at 13m which is OK but not VERY light) and very well balanced (‘the best balanced pole I have ever fished with’)and with a ‘shedload of spares’. But, it’s heavier than a Tourny Pro, much, much heavier than a Zircon (I’ve compared all 3)and has far fewer spares. But that’s their opinion and mine differs. It’s a free world.

[TF_cockney blanker]

Kingman if you have the dough get the Airity, if you dont have that much get the Pro, the rest are still a long way off, G10 heavy, Maver light and stiff but not very strong, Prestons ok but dont brake any bits spares are unreal, Zircon cannot comment not seen one.

[TF_red_hydro]

Unfortunately kingman, the tackle dealer is only trying to earn a living.

He is always going to promote what he has got in stock, as any salesman would do, rather than risk loosing the sale to another shop who have got the pole you want.

What would you do, if you were in the tackle shop dealers shoes

[mo selecta]

Try Fishermans Friend. Most poles on the market are usually in stock. Plus plenty of friendly good advice

[TF_Daiwa pro]

Kingman, i have a close connection with a tackle dealer and i know how they work, they will try and sell you the stock they already have, basically to them its waisted money. So if i was you i would go for the pole your after, because for a pole at that price you will rarely find anything wrong with it

[TF_Chum MixerParticipant]

Many times you read about people looking for a new pole and anglers post what they believe to be the best one available for the money..But.. everyone has different opinions and I would suggest the same as DP has mentioned, GO WITH YOUR GUT INSTINT.

[TF_Dave Pellet]

I don’t think Mr Norris at Drennan would take too kindly to those comments, and all I can say is what a load of old bullshit

but let’s face it, he’s bad-mouthing it because he doesn’t have one to sell you – possibly never even seen one

I’ve got a zircon & it is excellent
the finish is astounding & shows no signs of scraping off, it’s by far the lightest & best balanced pole I’ve ever handled, and people who have handled the Garbo G10 & Tourny Pro echo those comments

The walls are not rock solid, but if they were you’re just adding unecessary weight – make the walls thicker & less “squeezy” then you’re adding weight
Having said this, I got rid of an Antidote in favour of the zircon (alright I know that’s not in the same league) but the joints & walls on that were squeezy & I’ve had plenty of double figure carp on that pole

As to his comment “£1k pole with lots of spares” – I’ll not say what I think about that because I’ll probably get my user profile disabled!!!
in a word b*ll*cks

[TF_Daiwa pro]

The best think to do is buy a torney Pro, best pole ever brought out!!!!!!!!!

[Kingman]

Taken the plunge this morning and purchased the Zircon. Most money I have ever spent on something without seeing it first. Its being delivered next week, I will post a review once I had had the chance to use it.

[Manc]

As Dave pellet said
He’s bad-mouthing it because he doesn’t have one to sell you – possibly never even seen one..

If hes never seen one..how does he know its no good.

I personally have never found any Drennan product with a fault or bad design since their inception and have never had to return a product made by them.

The person who made the comment is definately not a business man.

The first rule of business is
” Never Knock Your Competitors”.
And I believe his comments will come back to bite him hard when Drennan get wind of this, although he will probably deny it..

[TF_Chum MixerParticipant]

Kingman – I’m sure you will find its a great piece of kit, good to know you went with your instinct. At 2k any pole will be good to use.

[TF_Fred Davis]

He may not have bad mouthed it because he did not have one to sell it may be his honest opinion of the product. everyone has a different veiw with poles and all think they are right.

[TF_Dave Pellet]

Kingman: good work

Manc: thank you for those kind words

Chum: my youngest son wants your hat

Fred: fair comment

[TF_Dave Pellet]

Drennan’s still best

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