Should Retailers Be Focusing on Price Points or Brands?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zach Chandler on March 4, 2011 at 10:31am

I really can't argue because I've never fished with one of the "elite" rods.  I guess my question is, were you getting smoked in toureys before you started using the high end rods, then used them and made money?  Or have you always used high end rods?  Can you say they really payed for themselves or would you have done just as well in a tourney with a 100 dollar rod and had more money in your pocket?  Serious question, not trying to get into a pissing contest.

Craig Taylor said:

  

All kidding aside, The difference between a Championship Series Dobyns and a low MSRP rod is almost unmeasurable and yes, a higher end rod will make someone a better fishermen. These rods are not always for the fishermen who goes out just once in a while. These rods are investment rods for the fishermen who will get all there monies or sentimental worth out of the rod. Hell, every rod I have had that is over $200 has literally payed for itself in past winnings.

  

I just want to put emphasis in the fact that there is a HUGE difference in low MSRP rods and high MSRP rods. They don't ask for that much money for no reason...they are worth ever cent most of the time.... With that said, I would like to see no bass rod over $400. Even I roll my eyes at the price tag on some of these rods.

 

 

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on March 4, 2011 at 10:33am

I agree with jeff,  Sponsorship does play big role in "go to brands" IMO , btw jeff from age 8-12 all my bass were also caught on cane poles also.lol  

When i first started tourney fishing years ago in Tennessee , I live 8min away from BPS in Nashville and At the time i didnt know much about the lighter rods or that sensitivity would ever become such a major factor to me later in life . If i wanted a new rod i was strickly driven by price point and not by brand period . I did appreciate the fact that if my budget only allowed me to spend $75-100 on a rod well B.P.S gave me many different brands to choose from , So yes price point was an important factor.

My point here is that when "Anglers" Walk into a tackleshop in search of  a new rod that retailer has no ideal  what kind of fishing background he/she comes from . I feel like that shop should cater the needs of  all walks of anglers , the problem IMO is that in most cases we are talking about small tackleshops that have a small budgets to work from so it has to be very challenging for the stores purchasers to make the right call .

Joe Blow might walk in a shop and say "I would like to see one of those new Dobyns Rods i keep hearing about" . Another guy might walk in and say "My spouse said i can spend $150 on a bass rod today , what do you have in that price range" ! In one case , price point does play big role and in my other example Brand choice is also just as important for that retailer .

In regards to the Rod polls thread , IMO this only shows us what The "Bass Tourney anglers" are using statewide. If i owned a tackle store i would more interested in what the Salmon and Trout guys are using or perfer since they would be my main consumer base here the NW ! 

The cool thing about stores like 3 rivers and Auburn sports is that they offer a little bit of everything or they cater to all , kinda like a mini version of BPS .We are truly forchant for these tackleshops because without them we all would be wasting money on shipping costs for bass rods and tackle.

 

My last thoughts on this subject relates to Customer Service . I personaly think that good customer service plays the "biggest role" in our tacklshops statewide . If a retailer wants to push more products off the shelf this all starts IMO with "hello how can we help you today" ! Having knowledgable staff members that are capable of answering the questions from any angler takes place before Price or Brand comes into play .In my example above Joe blow wants to see the new rods he keeps hearing about , his next question is gonna be , okay which one is there Dropshot rod ,Football rod , Spinnerbait rods etc This is  when brand knowledge and fishing experience becomes the deal breaker to spend that guy to the cashier !

Okay im done rambling here guys , sorry had lots of coffee this morning ..lol

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on March 4, 2011 at 1:36pm

Serious????

Someones's been drinking the kool-aide...

You do realize this thing is hooked up to the INTERNET and lots of other people can read this?
Craig Taylor said:

 

Good is the enemy of great...  That is how I treat my rod selection. With a rod under $100 have you ever been able to tell the diff between sand and clay at 30-40 feet? Tell the diff between kinds of grasses? Ever been able to count blades of grass with a jig? Been able to tell the diff between pebbles and golf ball sized rock at 30-40 feet?... You can with a high end rod. It's all about the sensitivity a elite rod brings to the table. 

 

Permalink Reply by Buddy on March 4, 2011 at 2:08pm

Whoa, Craig is talented!

He must work with Russ, at Limit Out Marine?

Don Hogue said:

Serious????

Someones's been drinking the kool-aide...

You do realize this thing is hooked up to the INTERNET and lots of other people can read this?
Craig Taylor said:

 

Good is the enemy of great...  That is how I treat my rod selection. With a rod under $100 have you ever been able to tell the diff between sand and clay at 30-40 feet? Tell the diff between kinds of grasses? Ever been able to count blades of grass with a jig? Been able to tell the diff between pebbles and golf ball sized rock at 30-40 feet?... You can with a high end rod. It's all about the sensitivity a elite rod brings to the table. 

 

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on March 4, 2011 at 3:22pm

Ron,

Its an interesting question, When you opening the store?

I think if you could really get the answer to the question, you'd master the game of retail.

Customer trends are really just that, so figuring out what they want so they will buy before you invest in the Inventory for your store, is the mystery retailers have contemplated, since the first store opened. 

I thought about the question from my own perspective, and came to this conclusion. The only bad purchases I have made in my time fishing, I did out of necessity or urgency. When I've had the time to research and as  you mention try out gear, my choices improved. My proof is only that I kept that gear or repurchased more of it.

I have walked out of a store so many more times that I would have liked because the thing(s) I wanted were not in stock.  I've told the guys behind the counter at one of our large tackle retailers in Fife to please stock 25 packs of #2 and #4 bronze dropshot hooks, at least 3 times. I'd be willing to bet they are still out of stock.

I was complaining on the forum just last year about the lack of retailers with Zoom products. The best selling baits in the world.  Probably have lower profit margins, but I'm going to shop there because I can get them, and you'll make the margin up when I buy other things. Has anyone ever gone into a retailer and just bought one package of baits....Its always an $80.00 ordeal for me.

 

So for my habits, obviously getting the brands I want, in the colors I want, and consistently in stock, and at a price that is near the going market insures I will shop there.

All the big sporting goods retailers have a place to swing golf clubs... some let you shoot a bow, why not cast a combo. Just please have it in stock.  Please put that in your store too. ;o)

 

Steve

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on March 4, 2011 at 3:59pm

 The one price point I can't understand is the $100 dollar level.    Like Zach said, a $100 dollar stick can honestly be compared to a $30-$50 dollar stick in quality and fishability yet you get only a limited warranty. 

 

For ~$200 dollars you can get a real nice stick that will last you forever with a lifetime warranty.   The rod will instantly make you a better angler because the rod will give you a mental edge in knowing that you should be detecting as many bites as the next guy, and it will pay for itself over time compared to rebuying the $100 dollar rod 2,3 or 4 times in your lifetime. 

 

Never again will I buy a rod for $80-100.   I'll use what I have until I can afford the lifetime warranted rod, and I'll have that rod until I die.

 

I have a $100 St. Croix Mojo, and a $225 St. Croix legend.  The legend is going to end up being cheaper over time, and its substantially better.

Permalink Reply by Pat on March 4, 2011 at 4:26pm

wow some fantastic claims

do i think they are better than the $100 sticks yeah - i think they are better thats why i buy them

a snoopy rod in don's hand is a bigger threat than a $800 megabass rod in mine - and most of yours too (craig taylor included)

Permalink Reply by Pat on March 4, 2011 at 4:37pm

just sitting here waitng for you to stick your foot in your mouth - i knew you wouldnt disappoint

Craig Taylor said:

PAT!!!! SUP' BABY?!!! I WAS WORRIED YOU WERE BLOWING ME OFF!!! Good to have you back hun. hahaha

Permalink Reply by Jerry on March 4, 2011 at 5:03pm

I don't know if I can add to anything here. I knew panties would get bunched up at some point. If you feel like an upper end rod gives an advantage...good. Confidence is a big factor. They are tools for specific applications and yes, sensitivity is a major factor in some types of fishing. But I think I can say without hesitation, I can catch just as many fish on my  $50-$100 rod. It's about being able to discern what is going on around you and applying the knowledge gained from time on the water and experience.

Permalink Reply by Buddy on March 4, 2011 at 5:13pm

Your so silly Craig! please keep us laughung, your so good at it and you don't even know it.

Craig Taylor said:

Call it whatever you want man, I dont care. And hell yea I know what I am saying. Even at the age of 25 I have the time on the water, tournament experiance and bass IQ to stand by it. I say what I beleave in with out hiding my pride or face. More than what some do on WAFISH. Don't like it? Fine, you dont need to. At least my reply is in the name of trying to help someone get more fish in the boat. Yours is just in the name of being a smug jerk. As a guy who obviously knows how to use the INTERNET as you yell it and also a former representive of WA on bass fishings biggest stage I find it puzzling why you would want to go out of your way to come off like that. OK, maybe it was a loose medaphor about being able to count grass blades, I think you thought a little too deep in to that one turbo.

 

By no means do I think a low MSRP cant put fish in the boat, but good luck out fishing someone on a every day bases who is using a Dobyns Championship or NRX/GLX level rod. 
Don Hogue said:

Serious????

Someones's been drinking the kool-aide...

You do realize this thing is hooked up to the INTERNET and lots of other people can read this?
Craig Taylor said:

 

Good is the enemy of great...  That is how I treat my rod selection. With a rod under $100 have you ever been able to tell the diff between sand and clay at 30-40 feet? Tell the diff between kinds of grasses? Ever been able to count blades of grass with a jig? Been able to tell the diff between pebbles and golf ball sized rock at 30-40 feet?... You can with a high end rod. It's all about the sensitivity a elite rod brings to the table. 

 

Permalink Reply by Buddy on March 4, 2011 at 5:52pm

So, what your saying is that someone who is fishing with a line of Veritas rods vs a guy who is fishing with a line of Dobyns/GLX/NRX are gonna get out-performed?

Craig Taylor said:

Call it whatever you want man, I dont care. And hell yea I know what I am saying. Even at the age of 25 I have the time on the water, tournament experiance and bass IQ to stand by it. I say what I beleave in with out hiding my pride or face. More than what some do on WAFISH. Don't like it? Fine, you dont need to. At least my reply is in the name of trying to help someone get more fish in the boat. Yours is just in the name of being a smug jerk. As a guy who obviously knows how to use the INTERNET as you yell it and also a former representive of WA on bass fishings biggest stage I find it puzzling why you would want to go out of your way to come off like that. OK, maybe it was a loose medaphor about being able to count grass blades, I think you thought a little too deep in to that one turbo.

 

By no means do I think a low MSRP cant put fish in the boat, but good luck out fishing someone on a every day bases who is using a Dobyns Championship or NRX/GLX level rod. 
Don Hogue said:

Serious????

Someones's been drinking the kool-aide...

You do realize this thing is hooked up to the INTERNET and lots of other people can read this?
Craig Taylor said:

 

Good is the enemy of great...  That is how I treat my rod selection. With a rod under $100 have you ever been able to tell the diff between sand and clay at 30-40 feet? Tell the diff between kinds of grasses? Ever been able to count blades of grass with a jig? Been able to tell the diff between pebbles and golf ball sized rock at 30-40 feet?... You can with a high end rod. It's all about the sensitivity a elite rod brings to the table. 

 

Permalink Reply by Buddy on March 4, 2011 at 5:56pm

What is a Dobyns Champion"ship"?

Craig Taylor said:

Call it whatever you want man, I dont care. And hell yea I know what I am saying. Even at the age of 25 I have the time on the water, tournament experiance and bass IQ to stand by it. I say what I beleave in with out hiding my pride or face. More than what some do on WAFISH. Don't like it? Fine, you dont need to. At least my reply is in the name of trying to help someone get more fish in the boat. Yours is just in the name of being a smug jerk. As a guy who obviously knows how to use the INTERNET as you yell it and also a former representive of WA on bass fishings biggest stage I find it puzzling why you would want to go out of your way to come off like that. OK, maybe it was a loose medaphor about being able to count grass blades, I think you thought a little too deep in to that one turbo.

 

By no means do I think a low MSRP cant put fish in the boat, but good luck out fishing someone on a every day bases who is using a Dobyns Championship or NRX/GLX level rod. 
Don Hogue said:

Serious????

Someones's been drinking the kool-aide...

You do realize this thing is hooked up to the INTERNET and lots of other people can read this?
Craig Taylor said:

 

Good is the enemy of great...  That is how I treat my rod selection. With a rod under $100 have you ever been able to tell the diff between sand and clay at 30-40 feet? Tell the diff between kinds of grasses? Ever been able to count blades of grass with a jig? Been able to tell the diff between pebbles and golf ball sized rock at 30-40 feet?... You can with a high end rod. It's all about the sensitivity a elite rod brings to the table. 

 

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