Should Retailers Be Focusing on Price Points or Brands?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by 0koeo85ldc9uf on March 3, 2011 at 6:15pm

I disagree. Why would a store invest money in rod brands that no one will buy? Most anglers going to purchase a rod or reel already know what they are going to buy. Anglers are typicaly very loyal to one particular brand. I am sure before you were sponsered, the majority of your rods and reels were one brand. I doubt you had 6 different reels. So why should the retailers carry 6 different brands?

I think the polls are right on. They could be reworded to "what brand do you own the most of". Some people may only own one higher end rod, yet claim it's their go to brand. If the point of the polls is market research, you need to talk units bought, not units want.

T-bone

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on March 3, 2011 at 6:31pm

I tend to agree with you Ron - although people seem to be very brand loyal. Everyone seems to have a brand (as the "polls" show).  If anything, the polls tend to point out the fact that it doesn't matter as much as we tend to think it does (what brand you use). 

$100 rod or reel is going to serve anyone well.  I think that super high modulus rods and extra fast action tapers are a bit of overkill - and may hurt more than they help. 

Seeing that lots of different brands of whatever can get the job done, I tend to value durability, customer service and price points. 

If I had a local shop, I wouldn't even pretend I could stock everything.  It's impossible to compete with the internet in that regard.  I would focus on service and helping to educate customers.  It's disingenuous to say or suggest that a $500 rod will help you catch more fish over a $250 or $100 dollar rod, but its seems natural for many retailers to want to play that way.

 

It always boggles my mind when something that has little to do with how well a person fishes (what brand rod/reel you use) gets so many more responses than a topic such as "spawning and staging bass" which would obviously help a person catch more fish.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 3, 2011 at 7:27pm

Before I was sponsored you would have seen atleast 6 different rod manufacturers on my deck.  Lamiglas, Bass Pro Shops Extreme, Berkley, Shimano, Fenwick and if my crankbait rod a Marado. My Bass Pro Extremes where my favorites and when on sale I could get them for $60. Don't try to sale me on any loyalties, I got what I could afford, I wish I had way more options but I did not.  If it is a quality product guys are going to buy it. I did not say to stock crap on your shelves.

 

Mr. Bone I think you make very good points but I guess I just have a different opinion. I think you can not make any money on units bought, because obviously they are already bought, so the next time to profit is when those unit wants turn into units needs.

T-bone said:

I disagree. Why would a store invest money in rod brands that no one will buy? Most anglers going to purchase a rod or reel already know what they are going to buy. Anglers are typicaly very loyal to one particular brand. I am sure before you were sponsered, the majority of your rods and reels were one brand. I doubt you had 6 different reels. So why should the retailers carry 6 different brands?

I think the polls are right on. They could be reworded to "what brand do you own the most of". Some people may only own one higher end rod, yet claim it's their go to brand. If the point of the polls is market research, you need to talk units bought, not units want.

T-bone

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 3, 2011 at 7:32pm

I have another Idea do guys purchase what is available? I think alot more guys would be using Bass Pro Shops rods and reels if they were readily available, but they are not.  Do most guys use mostly Shimano Spinning reel because they are readily available over say a Browning Spinning reel?  Do guys prefer Loomis Rods or Lamiglas rods because they are easy to come by? I bet guys that live close to a BPS  use mostly their stuff because it is easy to get, so I think if you make a great product readily available most guys are going to jump on it regardless of the brand.  It just needs to be a quality product for the price.

Permalink Reply by Jerry on March 3, 2011 at 7:43pm

I agree, Ron. I can say for myself, that if Bass Pro Shops was down the road and easily accessible, I'd use more of their gear. I have a couple of BPS rods that have served me very well...and you can't beat the prices. I just can't justify spending $300 on a rod or reel. Granted, I'm a low budget guy in a tube, but it's about value to me. I still catch my share of fish on my lower end gear. If you can and don't mind spending the extra, or if you're into the tourney thing, more power to ya.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on March 3, 2011 at 8:02pm

As someone that works in retail, I will tell you from experience, that you can only carry a certain quantity of lines. You have to focus on the products that are going to appeal to the majority, and accept the fact that you are going to loose a few custmers that want something that you dont have. As great as it would be to have 10 choices of $100 rods, it makes more sence as a busness to maybe carry the 3_5 that are going to appeal to the majority. Product that doesn't sell fast is just eating shelf space for something that will sell faster. Also, the easiest way for a store to profit is to buy bulk to lowercost and increase margins.

Let's put it this way. The most popular flavored milks are prbably chocolate and strawberry, right? Would it make sence to carry 30 flavors of milk, taking up lots of shelf space and going bad,
or to just carry the two most popular, still sell 90% of the customers, and not waist cost on the stuff that doesn't move?

This is why stores have clearence bins. Some stuff has to be given away in the end because there isn't enough demand and the purchase was poor by the retailer.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Grimes on March 3, 2011 at 8:30pm

I am not an expert by any means on rods, but my personal opinion is that the average angler does not look at the details that the more seasoned anglers such as tournament guys, guides , and Pro level fishermen.  There are a lot more guys out there that go buy a new rod....to get a new rod ....and are not concerned with the parabolic bend, or sensitivity, or whether it is glass or not.  they just want  a new rod.  The price points only come in to plat because of his budget...and his choice will probably come as a result of the last commercial or article he read that mentioned the name, or becuase he likes the way it looks.  To most guys...a fishing rod is a fishing rod.  Most guys aren't going to spend $200 on a rod.  They might buy 2 $100 rods though.  I have known guys that don't own a boat, fish off the bank or float tube...and spend $400 or $500 on each combo they own and fill their tackle box with $20 lures....because they think that is what they need to have.  Articles and forums and guys pushing their sponsors have been successful in making people think that the high dollar rods are the only ones that are worth having.  I have fished for most of my life and up until about 10 years ago....there was hardly ever anything said about the difference in rds for different baits or scenarios etc etc.  We used to own all the same rods ( in Texas) 6 foot 6 inches...medium heavy or Heavy action.  That was it.  Now....you have to have a different rod, with different action, weight, length, and sensitivity for each bait you throw.  They have been successful in marketing, and as a result....sold a lot of high dollar rods. The articles all say that you might be losing fish if you aren't using the right rod, but who is to say that is right?   

 

My opinion is that St Croix has done a good job with the Mojo Bass rods line ( $100) and Wright and Mcgill as well.  The average guy isn't going to walk past those to buy a rod for $200-$300 or more....

 

The Fishing Industry has developed over the years as one that most of the lures, and gimmicks and products are designed to catch the fisherman and not the fish.  

 

IMO

 

Jeff

Permalink Reply by Jeff Grimes on March 3, 2011 at 8:37pm

Mr Bone?

 

If I wasn'tSponsored.....that says a lot.  YOu obviously remember what it is like to be a peny pincher fisherman, but once you have sponsorship things change.  In my other post I didn't state very well what I wanted to.....but the short version is.. Most guys just pick up a rod and tie a lure on and fish .....Look at Ugly Sticks.  those things have been popular for many years and they have horrible sensitivity and feel ( IMO) but they are cheap....and you can put a reel on it and fish with it.

 

The King of Flipping, started out with a Cane pole.

 

Good topic Roy

 

( You wanna Sponsor me?) 

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

Before I was sponsored you would have seen atleast 6 different rod manufacturers on my deck.  Lamiglas, Bass Pro Shops Extreme, Berkley, Shimano, Fenwick and if my crankbait rod a Marado. My Bass Pro Extremes where my favorites and when on sale I could get them for $60. Don't try to sale me on any loyalties, I got what I could afford, I wish I had way more options but I did not.  If it is a quality product guys are going to buy it. I did not say to stock crap on your shelves.

 

Mr. Bone I think you make very good points but I guess I just have a different opinion. I think you can not make any money on units bought, because obviously they are already bought, so the next time to profit is when those unit wants turn into units needs.

T-bone said:

I disagree. Why would a store invest money in rod brands that no one will buy? Most anglers going to purchase a rod or reel already know what they are going to buy. Anglers are typicaly very loyal to one particular brand. I am sure before you were sponsered, the majority of your rods and reels were one brand. I doubt you had 6 different reels. So why should the retailers carry 6 different brands?

I think the polls are right on. They could be reworded to "what brand do you own the most of". Some people may only own one higher end rod, yet claim it's their go to brand. If the point of the polls is market research, you need to talk units bought, not units want.

T-bone

Permalink Reply by 0koeo85ldc9uf on March 3, 2011 at 8:42pm

Ron, I think you proved the point you were argueing earlier. The polls that people were running were looking to see how many guys are actually buying rods other then what they carry in stock. If a brand name coninued to come up that was not stocked at their retail store, they would likely be on the phone getting them.  

 

You missed my point on the units thing. It was directed toward the guys that say their "go to rod" was a $500 (name brand). John Doe failed to mention in their post that they only had one of them. They own 10 other Berkley lightning rods though. The spent more money on the Berkely rods then they did on the $500 rod. The likelyhood of replacing the Berkely rod is greater then the $500 one. So wouldn't you want to know they have more Berkleys then their one "dream stick"? Yes, carry the dream stick, but I would sure want to know that I will sell 10 of these Berkleys that John forgot to mentioned in their answer.

 

Look forward to meeting you Ron. You clearly are a smart man. I am still trying to figure why you actually care about this topic? Debate? Teach us how to win tournaments...

Permalink Reply by Dan Johnson on March 4, 2011 at 8:14am

real good point Aaron but why did you have to mention strawberry milk ?  that really F'd up my day

Aaron Christel said:

As someone that works in retail, I will tell you from experience, that you can only carry a certain quantity of lines. You have to focus on the products that are going to appeal to the majority, and accept the fact that you are going to loose a few custmers that want something that you dont have. As great as it would be to have 10 choices of $100 rods, it makes more sence as a busness to maybe carry the 3_5 that are going to appeal to the majority. Product that doesn't sell fast is just eating shelf space for something that will sell faster. Also, the easiest way for a store to profit is to buy bulk to lowercost and increase margins.

Let's put it this way. The most popular flavored milks are prbably chocolate and strawberry, right? Would it make sence to carry 30 flavors of milk, taking up lots of shelf space and going bad,
or to just carry the two most popular, still sell 90% of the customers, and not waist cost on the stuff that doesn't move?

This is why stores have clearence bins. Some stuff has to be given away in the end because there isn't enough demand and the purchase was poor by the retailer.

Permalink Reply by Zach Chandler on March 4, 2011 at 9:16am

First off I will say that I haven't fished with a loomis or a dobyns.  My favorite rod is one that cost me 30 bucks.  Its a 7 ft'er that I use for dropshotting and everytime I have a 2.5+ smallie on I say "god, I love this rod."  I've spent a bit of money on 60-100 dollar rods and I will fish that 30 dollar rod every chance I get.  I think a lot of guys get pulled in by the price tag, thinking I got to have one that costs a lot for people to see in my boat and think I'm good.  Either that or they think that a high dollar rod will make them better, which is rarely the case.  It would be awesome to put a 250 dollar price tag on a good 30 dollar rod and see how many people would buy it and then rave about how good it is.  Jeff, you had some good points, good fishermen were catching fish way before all these expensive rods. 

Permalink Reply by R Meyer on March 4, 2011 at 10:22am

Great topic you bring up. I have always had trouble finding decent spinning and casting rods in the $50-$75 range in-store...Anywhere (EWA and WWA), even places like Cabela's. It seems to me that stores tend to carry the garbage $10-$25 rods and then high-end stuff that starts at $100 a pop. Now, when I am looking for rods, I go to BassPro or Cabela's online store and usually end up buying their "branded" products, which I have had great luck with by the way. I am a banky predominately and like a longer rod, usually 7'. I have found one, maybe two examples of a 2-piece 7' spinning rod in a store...

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