Van Staal RIP OFF
 

Holy %$%$%$%$ did they jack up the service charges.

I have an older model, so it should be 50.00 plus parts. Frigging parts equated to 80.00!

Time to pony up for the self service kit, and do it myself. What a frigging rip off.

Yup, I'm also getting a self service kit this year.

That's a significant increase. That's the nature of things, however. When they started manufacturing reels in China at a lower cost, Van Staal reaped a greater profit. The reel cost less to make, yet the price increased.

What were the parts they replaced that cost $80...was it just the basic seals or did the need t replaced something else.

The Self Service kit is $90.....and if you still needed additional parts you'll still have to buy those seperately.

I will agree....$130 is rediculous for service on a reel

The list is below:

I would have thought for a 4000ish serial number a lot of these would have been 'wear' parts as part of the service charge. If anyone knows from experience these are wear parts, let me know. The only one I can see is the roller is a non-wear.

I already sent a sharply worded email back to them.

1 SERVICE - ANNUAL SERVICE FEE 49.95
1 ORQ2 - O-RING, QUAD CROSS SECTION, BUNA .281 X .070 0.44
1 OSPR2 - CUP SEAL, STEEL CLAD, .375 X .562 X .125 3.60
1 OSPR4 - CUP SEAL, STEEL CLAD, .500 X .750 X .125 2.20
1 ORR5 - O-RING, METRIC, 53MM ID X 1MM CROSS SECTION, BU 1.59
1 ORR6 - O-RING, .864 INCH ID X .070 CROSS SECTION, BUNA 0.12
1 WSLCIT1 - WASHER,LOCK,INTERNALTOOTH,10-32 STAINLESS ST 0.53
1 BGRS3 - BEARING, RADIAL, METAL SHIELDED, METRIC 4.13
1 BGND1 - BEARING, NEEDLE, CAGED OPEN END, METRIC 3.52
1 BGRC1 - BEARING ROLLER CLUTCH 13.48
1 BGRO2 - BEARING,RADIAL,OPEN 3.25
1 90000 - MISCELLANEOUS PART SEE TEXT 0.00
1 SR2039 - SR200/250 SEAL CARRIER 3.28
1 VSB2024P - 200/250 SPOOL RETAINER - PASSIVATED 4.50
1 VSB2040P - 200/250 SPOOL HUB - PASSIVATED 12.93
1 ORR3 - O-RING, METRIC, 9MM ID X 2 MM CROSS SECTION, BU 0.10
1 SR3020 - LINE ROLLER 21.57
2 OSPR3 - CUP SEAL, STEEL CLAD, .750 X 1.00 X .125 4.56
4 SR3038-2 - CARBON FIBER SHEET 1MM THICKNESS 5.84
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Another reason I'm glad I dumped my VS 200(it was the biggest POS reel I ever owned)in 2004 and purchased Saltigas in 2005. I can't for the life of me understand the amount of service these VS reels need given the cost.

My Saltigas have been back to Daiwa once in the five years I've owned them for simple maintenance and it cost me $40 for both reels. They're(Saltigas) fished hard, dunked, slammed, sometimes kicked :hee: and they're literally bulletproof. Don't see where VS is superior in any area besides the cost.

Sorry Brian, rant over...:angel:

junk

I had the drag fail on my saltiga this past season and sent it in after the warranty period had ended. They replaced the drag system at no cost to me.

Surprised to hear you had an issue, but the drag washers go for $25 each and the reel takes 3 washers, so they did you right on the service end.

I don't want to get this thread off course by praising Daiwa, so let's stick with the VS bashing. :banano:

But I only used my Daiwa maybe 5-7 nights and I got a 40 on it. I used a van staal on 3-4 times a week all season and got one 40 fishing them. I'm just saying......

Put a thin coat of Cal's drag grease on the Saltiga drag washers and you should be all set.

Stick with the Daiwa this year and we'll be drinking from the cup come october...

I've never had any problems with my Quantum Cabo's or any of my Abu's. Literally fished them everyday from May-December. I just can't justify spending that much on a spinning reel.

I've had my 200 for over ten years,I have at least ten 40's on it and I have never spent ten cents in maintenance.Never rinsed it after dunking,reel is bombproof.If BB caught fish the washers may be an issue.Ask redlite about his VS, that had no oil in it and still hammered fish nightly,what he thinks.AS FOR DRINKING FROM THE CUP;I guess I'll let you take a sip.In all fairness,the daiwa is a great canal reel.

I got leant over the barrel by them as well this year. My serial is below 2000 so it had to go to Tulsa. 3 pages of replaced parts. And 250.00$. I mic'd out all the bearings rings and seals and I'll be ordering the rings and seals from a transmission shop. I'll be ordering the bearings in ceramic from boca bearings. I'll order parts as needed from vs directly.
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That's because you're one of the many VS suck ups who probably gets the stuff for "0" thus you get compensated for saying nice things about them. As for 40's, I got more 40's on my penn 650ss(with fewer issues than the VS I owned) than you'll see in your lifetime...:laugha:

I'm actually surprised you remember that far back Flap er BackBeach.

in all fairness I will say that I do beat on my vs 300 as if it were a borrowed mule. The maintenance fee still sucks tho.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I am with Paul on this.. He fishes his Cabos daily and just oils and greases them once a year, besides roller and handle. I could not justify spending that much on a reel, I had a hard time buying a Saltist LW 20.... The cost for a VS In my opinion is just to high.. But to each there own... I fish old penns and convench so.. what do I know..

i do wonder just what you do get for $800.? paying 200 just for yearly maintence and parts does seam like a little much for such a high end item. i buy old used penns, made in usa. part breaks, strip a reel. good to go.

I like my 704s and 706 a lot, but I want to wetsuit and swim so my next reel will be a VS. just don't have the funds :(

You better be nice to me...

If we're ever reincarnated(you as a bear and me as a trapper) I'm going to sell your hide to the Daiwa corporation to use as a welcome mat...

Actually, you'd look better on the floor in front of the firepace at the S-B clubhouse when people come too see the Striper Cup displayed proudly on the mantle...watch out for the chocolate croissants scattered in the woods as they may become your undoing...

With any luck I'll come back as the seat on a women's exercise bike..

And be lucky enough to have this ride it

:laugha:

Actually, I like the trapper thing better now that you mention it...

I actually got got a saltiga after a few recommendations on this site including BB and couldn't be happier.. Just sold my VS275 and plan to buy another saltiga.. I had no issues with the VS, just like the feel and smoothness of the saltiga WAY better.. plus I don't ever wetsuit or swim with my gear.. looking forward to getting some fish on it the spring!!

I have been thinking about getting my first VS, probably a 200 or 250. But this thread now has me thinking. I have owned Luxors, Cracks, Penns and now a Shimano Saragosa 1800, which I just landed a 100# sailfish on while in Costa Rica. Pitched the fish a live goggle eye and bam....off to the races. The Shimano Saragosa worked beautifully. Never owned such a smooth reel.

If the VS is touted as such a great reel, why then does it need such intensive service. In the past, all my Cracks, Luxors and Penns just needed a good rinse and periodic cleaning.....and all have lasted for years without replacing anything except a drag washer here and there. SO WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THE VSs and the ZEEBAASs. If they break down without constant service, why should they cost so much?

Howie

I NEED TO GET A SCREW FOR MY VS WITH A BAIL HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH TO JUST ORDER A SCREW

I had a VS 250. I fished it for 2 years and then sold it. I had some mild disatisfaction with it because of failure of the seals. Keep in mind I spend close to 40 years in the surf with 704/706 Penns.

Well, I am back in the surf again after a 3 year hiatus and am happy to say that last fall I fished an old 704 without issue. Now I am too old to be wet suiting around and swimming to rocks so the 704 works fine. I also bought a used 850 on flea bay that I love and my Calcuttas when I am throwing conventional. I cannot see a reason to buy another VS. Hell, I have over 100, 40s on 704s.

I own a 150 and 250 and both have seen extensive use and without one problem reels are a tank and easy to maintain i have never had them serviced and the 250 is US made with the nonsealed drag.

they say a VS will last you a lifetime... but what reel wouldnt if you continuously threw hundreds of dollars into it every few years??? I have a VS200, and i will NOT get it serviced until something is absolutely wrong... some people open them up for service just because its been a while, and regret it... if it works, let it work...

In all fairness to VS, if they were $300 and lower maintenance I'd buy one. I don't see the value above that.

Why do some folks buy them? Some people see a pic of a guy in a wetsuit having just "battled the world's most extreme elements" and is holding a big fish.
People then figure hey, its the reel....if I get the reel I'll be just like the guy in the picture.

I think others get em just to look the part....nowadays if you own a VS, wetsuit, or a tricked out canal bike you're considered a highliner, right? :spin:

Shh, you're gonna drive the price up. :D

If it's a status symbol (and I don't agree that for many, it is), what do you think the solution is for people that fish in places that will result in the reels spending a considerable amount of time under water?

Personally, I don't own a VS but have used them. After a full day of casting a bailess VS150 Makai let me use, I feel in love with it - smooth, no wobble on the retrieve and comfortable.

I get absolutely no endorsement, not even free service from VS, so this is my take on them which I post every time this battle comes up.
I used to think anyone who spent $800+ on a reel was an arsehole, especially if they said they sucked. Back then I wasn't wetsuit fishing and swimming around, so I had no need for a VS. If you're not dunkin the reel all the time, then I agree it is a waste of money. I used to bash them everytime. Then I started the swim thing and the Shimanos weren't cuttin it. Wife bought me a 200 for our wedding 3 years ago (holy SH#t, can't believe she has still stayed with me for this long!!!) and now I wouldn't fish with any other reel.
First year was flawless. 2nd year after having it serviced, I blew a seal right at the start of commercial season. I fished it with 0 oil in it for the whole 2008 season. Never let me down. The insides were so bad that the guys at Rivers End didn't even know how to classify it. Cost me about $100 to get it redone. I have beat the ever living bag out of the thing and NEVER even rinse it off, yet it still keeps going.

As I stated, unless you are swimming with your reel, there are better, more economical options. It is in my opinion a function specific reel, but for me well worth it.

Will update on how much it costs me for this year once I send it back in....

Back beach is a hoot to watch swim a couple of hundred yards holdin his rod out of the water.......

Eighty bucks for an overhaul and a service is a good deal if you ask me.Not to be a jackass but the 3 bearings in the side cover can't be replaced all that easy.After a service like that you should be set for a bunch of years.Depending on how long you hold it underwater on each trip.I use marine grease and gear oil in mine.I'll take mine to CT for any major repairs I can't do myself.I'd pay 80 bucks for that service if the reel doesn't need it again for at least five years.I treat mine like a red headed stepchild and it keeps coming back for more.Best reel I've ever owned and hopefully the last saltwater spinner I'll ever buy.

:huh:What does a high end driver cost ?
I don't know, I hope to make an analogy.
My VS's are under water enough to grow gills.
Only send back for routine every 5 or 6 years.
Was getting expensive replacing the penns and such.

Absolutley positively love my VS 200. Best piece of fishing equipment I own. Sent in once (by me just for routine mantainence) in 5 years. I fish it all season long and it is a beast.:fishin: Highly recommend it to anybody.

I like my vs 200 very much. Never had a problem. I can't say that about all the penns and schimanos I have bought that didn't hold up well at all. Spent alot of money on those and they all went into the trash.
Seems like alot of reels out there weren't meant to be exposed to saltwater or sand.

for you guys doing the self service kit, remember that it doesn't come with anything to service the main seal.

i have no problem coughing up the $50 to $80 bucks every couple years. to me that justifies the time i spent last seasons taking apart and rebuilding the 706z, and cleaning the shimano drags that don't even like rain. i think the funniest part about every single vs & zeebaas bashing thread is that 90% of the people that bash either party have never even held one or fished one for that matter. Why does no one bash the guy who just spent $35k on a boat to just go fishing on a sunday afternoon?

Like Islander said to each his own... :cheers:

Saltiga---5 seasons, zero internal maintenence (line roller oiled a few times), no problems. Heavily used the last 4 seasons (I got it midway through the year the first season). The line roller bearing gets noisy when I crank against the Canal current. Probably shot.

VS 250--12 seasons (albeit no real use the last 4), zero internal maintenence, line roller oiled, no problems.

I have a newer 200 with a shot line roller bearing, but all it does is sound like a 706, so I can live with it. :rotf2:

I beat the piss out of the Van Staals when I lived on LI. Never seen the factory, and I wouldn't dare send them back now. If they ever stop turning, I'll open them with a pair of channell locks again and see what's what inside. I took a quick peek once, put grease on the gears to supplement the oil, and cranked them tight again.

I do suspect the factory of unnecessary replacement of some parts, though. I believe you authorize them to perform up to $200 of "necessary" maintenence when you send the reel in--at least that used to be the deal.