Until further notice. The $50 price on the web is a misprint.

Until further notice. The $50 price on the web is a misprint.

WTH????? a misprint?!? what about return shipping? I'm gald it's still $36... but something besides my waders doesn't smell quite right.

a mis-print? :jester:

yeah right. this is worse than a bush administration cover-up. :tooth: :laugha: :faga:

Misprint, miscommunication, whatever. I just relay what I was told.

Since 10/1. Produce someone who has been charged $50 over the past month that this was supposed to be in effect and I'll believe it's a cover up or a retraction and not just a mistake.

Not saying it's impossible, just that I haven't heard of it.

Misprint, miscommunication, whatever. I just relay what I was told.

Since 10/1. Produce someone who has been charged $50 over the past month that this was supposed to be in effect and I'll believe it's a cover up or a retraction and not just a mistake.

Not saying it's impossible, just that I haven't heard of it.

Maybe so. Just the way it's expressly noted on the website that the price will change effective 10/1 and it will not include return shipping seems odd to be a mistake. Maybe so, either way, I'm glad it's still $36.

Maybe so. Just the way it's expressly noted on the website that the price will change effective 10/1 and it will not include return shipping seems odd to be a mistake. Maybe so, either way, I'm glad it's still $36.

Agreed. I think there was discussion about a price hike but it never came to pass. Someone forgot to tell the web guy though.

Misprint, miscommunication, whatever. I just relay what I was told.

Since 10/1. Produce someone who has been charged $50 over the past month that this was supposed to be in effect and I'll believe it's a cover up or a retraction and not just a mistake.

Not saying it's impossible, just that I haven't heard of it.

That's what the policy said on the website last night before it was redacted.

That's what the policy said on the website last night before it was redacted.

I know. My point is that in the month that it was supposed to be in effect it hasn't been.

Online forums have never been a productive place to discuss Van Staal. Van Staal doesn't even bother for that exact reason.

If anyone has any additional questions or real concerns please email either Craig Cantelmo at ccantelmo@vanstaal.com or me at peterg@saltwateredge.com

WTH????? a misprint?!? what about return shipping? I'm gald it's still $36... but something besides my waders doesn't smell quite right.
Turn the reel in for free at a show and you save the shipping costs. I turn mine in at River's End each spring and they give you a free hat too. :uhuh:

36 still. That would be great news.

Here is an excerpt from the email that Craig sent me today at 8 a.m.

"The Service Charge is now $50.00 to do the service that takes 2.5 hours a reel and is more then just an oil change. We disassemble the entire reel degrease the parts, inspect and change parts required, add the oil and lube, change all of the seals to prepare the reel for another season of fishing."

I'm confused....

Go ahead and flame me, but there are now 2 threads full of conspiracy theory's, depreciation tables, and bitching about a $14 increase in the service charge on a $700 reel. This from a bunch of people that each probably have $2000 worth of custom wood plugs hangin around the house. Give me a break.
It's not even winter yet.

You forgot....

Waders- $220 + tax
Custom tied rod- $400 + tax
Van Staal pliers- $317 + tax
Surf bag- $140 + tax

Insert Mastercard "priceless" line here.

A surfcaster could have $2000 worth of gear on during an outing.

As the Big O says on WEEI - "You're makin' my point"

There is a difference from $14 and being made a fool

the price of everything is going up.

+health care
+energy (although down from peak levels)
+higher education

+and now I'm hearing agricultural grain prices will shoot up in the next few years because there isn't enough grain to feed the world and provide alternative fuel (ethanol) ... and droughts in producing countries.

so we have to work harder to make more money just so we can keep up with our bills?

so, as consumers, why not hold the line on something as petty as a $50 service fee?

just because you plunk down $700 for a fishing reel, doesn't mean you have to piss all your money away.

every little bit helps.

-stingy bassturbed (rhymes with bassturd)

Pete G wrong NEVER must have been a mistake or a missprint or something. It is what it is or was till changed.I think he was right in saying(Online forums have never been a productive place to discuss Van Staal) unless you think they are over pricing the yearly charge and shipping then they just might read the posts and change it back!!!!!!!!!!!

Pete G wrong NEVER must have been a mistake or a missprint or something. It is what it is or was till changed.I think he was right in saying(Online forums have never been a productive place to discuss Van Staal) unless you think they are over pricing the yearly charge and shipping then they just might read the posts and change it back!!!!!!!!!!!

There were questions on the boards, I contacted Van Staal for clarification, I posted here.

You've always had it out for me for no apparent reason GB, and I don't even know who you are.

36 still. That would be great news.

Here is an excerpt from the email that Craig sent me today at 8 a.m.

"The Service Charge is now $50.00 to do the service that takes 2.5 hours a reel and is more then just an oil change. We disassemble the entire reel degrease the parts, inspect and change parts required, add the oil and lube, change all of the seals to prepare the reel for another season of fishing."

I'm confused....


What I don't get is that why does a reel that is supposedly waterproof need to have parts changed every year? My Penn 704 is over 35 years old. I do the maintenance on it myself and I've never needed to change a part.

What I don't get is that why does a reel that is supposedly waterproof need to have parts changed every year? My Penn 704 is over 35 years old. I do the maintenance on it myself and I've never needed to change a part.

Gadabout...
not questioning your 704 good solid reel, BUT it needs maintenance.....
... put in 100nights a year fishing hard, wet, swimming, dropping your reel, plus work, have a wife etc.. and spending a few hours a week breaking down a reel isnt really doable...
4 seasons fishing my VS250 like that and I have had 1 minor problem...
thats why it is worth it...

There were questions on the boards, I contacted Van Staal for clarification, I posted here.

You've always had it out for me for no apparent reason GB, and I don't even know who you are.

well, you do seem to be going out of your way to defend van staal when they should be doing that themselves...particularly when they are trying to sneak through a price increase.

i understand you are a retailer but come on.

What I don't get is that why does a reel that is supposedly waterproof need to have parts changed every year? My Penn 704 is over 35 years old. I do the maintenance on it myself and I've never needed to change a part.

You could just as easily ask why it takes 2-1/2 hours to do the service on a reel that's almost as simple a design ;)

Someone needs to get Dr. Phil in here.:hihi:

What I don't get is that why does a reel that is supposedly waterproof need to have parts changed every year? My Penn 704 is over 35 years old. I do the maintenance on it myself and I've never needed to change a part.

They change the drag washers, all the seals, Gear oil/grease I think they change 14 things? I do all my penns and it takes time and I do replace parts as I see wear, not to mention the ugly rash the new ones get.

I send my VS reels in once a year if I think it is needed or not, I think the extra 14 dollars is a little steep and I am glad the changed it back, because 3 reels times 14 is 42 bucks

well, you do seem to be going out of your way to defend van staal when they should be doing that themselves...particularly when they are trying to sneak through a price increase.

i understand you are a retailer but come on.

I'm not just defending Van Staal I was trying to clear up the confusion as a retailer. I have an interest in what happens to people who have bought reels from the SWE or may do so.

If I tell people to send emails directly, I'm accused of hiding something, if I post publicly about VS people jump on it.

As always though, no good deed goes unpunished around here...

Redsoxticket, a post regarding your PM will come soon. It's good news for you...:kewl:

As always though, no good deed goes unpunished around here...


Oh woe is you.

this forum can be brutal

Thanks for clearing everything up Pete.

Pete I have never had it out for you sorry you feel that way but when I am wrong I am wrong and will tell you so. You on the other hand came out swinging on this one and was wrong but keep telling everone they are wrong. I think you said it best how Van Staal and perhaps you feel about others thoughts here"Online forums have never been a productive place to discuss Van Staal. Van Staal doesn't even bother for that exact reason." Agian I am sorry you feel I have it OUT for you as I do not. I was just giving MY thoughts on the thread and see that it may be wrong to do so. I will not do so ever agian on any thread you post on. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!:wave:

Agian I am sorry you feel I have it OUT for you as I do not. I was just giving MY thoughts on the thread and see that it may be wrong to do so. I will not do so ever agian on any thread you post on. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!:wave:

Love it, now you act like you have been victimized & that you cannot freely post your thoughts.
If giving your thoughts means bashing someones credibility without justification, then, No, probably shouldn't share those thoughts . Some others were wrong about the situation including myself (Ill-informed;) ). He got a hold of the source & cleared things up. Its not a government coverup, Its a 14 dollar difference over a fishing reel.

:bl2: :bl2:
If you can afford to spend $700 on a fishing reel just because it is a VAN STAAL then you can certainly afford to spend $50 to have it serviced!!! :af: :af:
Just like the guy who buys a Mercedes or Lexus and complains about being charged $45 for a oil change!!! :af: :af:
GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
My $40 PINNACLE reels work fine for me!!!

This is a nonsensical argument. Simply put. You don't want to spend $700 for reel. DON'T! You feel $36.95 or $50.00 or whatever is too much. DON'T spend it. If you feel a 704 is a better reel and a better buy than a VS then keep your 704 but don't disparage those that own the VS series and have them serviced every year.

Free speech is one of our God given rights in America. Do whatever you are comfortable with but for God sake show some respect for your fellow board member. My 2 cents.

They change the drag washers, all the seals, Gear oil/grease I think they change 14 things? .....

The point I was trying to make is - why does a reel that is properly lubricated and supposedly made from quality materials need to have parts replaced annually?

because us nitwits that have Van Staals fish 100+ nights a year usually underwater...

I don't own a VS, but I thought I'd give my insight anyway :) My first thought on this was that if you need to get a guitar or a computer worked on it is a minimum 1 hour bench fee of around $65. Difference may be that you don't have to do that every year. Nothing is cheap these days, especially if you want American hands doing the work. I imagine that the profit margin isn't incredible even at the price of those things.

GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
My $40 PINNACLE reels work fine for me!!!

RR, thats great, but that 40- reel wouldnt last a week the way we fish down here, and I'm not even a rock swimmer. I've broken a bunch of reels... my dinged, scratched and beat to hell VS 250 keeps coming back for more. If it costs me some $$ every year then so be it...

:bl2: :bl2:
If you can afford to spend $700 on a fishing reel just because it is a VAN STAAL then you can certainly afford to spend $50 to have it serviced!!! :af: :af:

I'm not going to beat this horse any deader, but I just wanted to clarify one point:

At $50/annual servicing, a VS 250 is not a $650 reel.

All-in, it's probably closer to a $1,700 reel in today's dollars if you discount the value of all future expenditures (say, 15 years), back.

That's a stupendous amount of money for a fishing reel.

I am arguing that you'd be better off, or perhaps financially indifferent, by going with a reel that might be a little cheaper than $1,700 and doesn't require factory servicing and round-trip shipping. These costs add up over time.

If the new ZeeBaas reels have design improvements and better durability vs. Van Staals, then all the better.

Having said that, I'm not going to run out and grab a ZeeBaas right away, but I am giving a seriously hard thought to divesting the rest of my VS collection. At some point, service will go to $50 (again) when VS makes up its mind that it doesn't want to lose money on servicing.

Can I blame Van Staal for trying to raise prices? No! They're not in it to lose money.

But I'm making a huge stink about it because at the same time, I feel the added service cost makes it less worthwhile in my mind to own one.

To each his own, I am NOT passing judgment on those who are VS fans.

If anything, several good ideas have come up in past discussions, including threads on how to service your own VS reels and money saving tips (dropping off your VS at a show to save on shipping).