Brent - Welcome to S-B...
I do not know what kind of influence, if any, that you may have in the upper workings of Penn. I truly hope you have some. As "Advertising & Communication Mgr" I'm willing to guess that you have been either tasked with trying to curb some of the disenchantment on the street or are taking it upon yourself to do that. If you have any true power beyond that, just maybe Penn has a chance.
Penn is in Deep Kimshe right now – certainly in the eyes of the former faithful and likely on the balance sheet as well. Perhaps your big water International reels are still top dog in their market segment but the products sought after and purchased by the Average Joe are no longer very sought after and less likely to be purchased. Up and down the coast, Penn probably owned 75% of the market, coffee grinders grinding….
Penn has languished in innovation and thoroughly embarrassed itself in product quality. Simple issues that have gone on for years like flipping bails and tiny line rollers have been ignored by the old ownership and apparently skipped by the new ownership.
Now that you are moving spinning reel production over to the shoe factory nation, what POSSIBLE incentive remains for us to purchase a Penn reel? The first reel I ever bought with my own money was a Penn. I have Penn reels my grandfather fished in the 50’s surf and bigger game. I have purchased numerous Penn reels over the years but it looks like my 975 from last year will be my last Penn unless something drastic happens at your company.
Issues with Penn:
Little innovation, Cannot even incorporate best practices developed by other companies (larger line rollers anyone?, Anti-Reverse?? Come on, this is bush league stuff guys)
Overseas production
Introduction of CRAP product
Ridiculously stupid Gold Label Dealer program
Re-badging of other crap product, Roddy Reels? Junk. Walmart JUNK. Actually Walmart might even pass on that stuff.
I am really not trying to be negative here but I can honestly NOT think of anything positive to say about Penn Reels or from Penn Reels over the past few years. There was mild hope with the Slammers but even those fell short. It is disappointing to see how bad Penn Reels is operating as a company, frustrating, disappointing, and suffering from a complete disconnect for it’s user base. We as a community WANT Penn to succeed and not need to stumble into the crap on this post but it is up to Penn to produce the World Class Reels that they falsely claim, and it is up to Penn to lead the American Reel market. Right now, you guys are not doing it.
I hope you can at least stay with this thread as you replied here.
Sincerely,
John
Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
www.Striped-Bass.com