Attn VS Owners...

[JFigliuolo]

The yearly maintenance charge is now $50 + RETURN SHIPPING!!!!!

[RIJIMMY]

wow

[leptar]

ya i'm like wtf at the moment...

i might just bail the bailed vsb150b i have... and am going to scratch that 250 off the list.

[shadow]

HOLY S#$#%% that sucks they got you with that one.you can not send them in but that will more then likely get you in the long run

[lurch]

YIKES!

[Canalman]

Hmmm.... spend 160$ a year on a disposable lesser reel or 50$ a year on one that will last for life.... I think I'm ok with thr VS thanks.

-Dave

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Canalman

Hmmm.... spend 160$ a year on a disposable lesser reel or 50$ a year on one that will last for life.... I think I'm ok with thr VS thanks.

-Dave

You're overlooking the $700 initial outlay in your cost/benefit analysis Over ten years, your cost of ownership is $1200, or about the same price as a self-serviceable Zee Baas. Plus return shipping, and over the last ten years, the price of VS factory service has doubled, from $25 to $50. Who's to say it won't run 100 clams in 10 years?

I spent $35 on a Penn 704 33 years ago. $5 for a new shaft about 15 years ago, and other than drag washers, eveything's original.

It's getting close to the point where it's cost me a buck a year to own it.

20 years ago, I paid $10 for a used Squidder, and another 3 bucks for new drag washers. What's that work out to, about 65 cents a year?

Both of those reels still run like a top.

It's cost me $70 a year to own my $420 VS 250 and I've never even sent it in for service.

Unfortunately, you are right, in the bigger picture. They don't make either of those other two reels any more and most of the new stuff is disposable after a season or two.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You're overlooking the $700 initial outlay in your cost/benefit analysis Over ten years, your cost of ownership is $1200, or about the same price as a self-serviceable Zee Baas. Plus return shipping, and over the last ten years, the price of VS factory service has doubled, from $25 to $50. Who's to say it won't run 100 clams in 10 years?

You really need to quantify the "enjoyment", "fish catching" and "coolness" values as well to compute the net present value over the life of the reel.

I used the formula below to help choose a VS250 over a Penn 704z.

3 years later I still haven't caught squat

-spence

[gone fishin]

Spence - You are a piece of work !! Maybe a good Rummy replacement

[Rockport24]

LOL spence.
I guess its kind of like owning a fancy sports car, you want the performance, but then you gotta put high-grade fuel in it every 10 miles and spend $500 a tire for replacements. In the end though, when you are screaming around a corner at 70mph with a babe at your side, it's all worth it.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You're overlooking the $700 initial outlay in your cost/benefit analysis Over ten years, your cost of ownership is $1200, or about the same price as a self-serviceable Zee Baas. Plus return shipping, and over the last ten years, the price of VS factory service has doubled, from $25 to $50. Who's to say it won't run 100 clams in 10 years?

I spent $35 on a Penn 704 33 years ago. $5 for a new shaft about 15 years ago, and other than drag washers, eveything's original.

It's getting close to the point where it's cost me a buck a year to own it.

20 years ago, I paid $10 for a used Squidder, and another 3 bucks for new drag washers. What's that work out to, about 65 cents a year?

Both of those reels still run like a top.

It's cost me $70 a year to own my $420 VS 250 and I've never even sent it in for service.

Unfortunately, you are right, in the bigger picture. They don't make either of those other two reels any more and most of the new stuff is disposable after a season or two.

Then you have to compute the risk of the ZeeBaas. Just because it's serviceable doesn't mean it won't need parts.

Also you have the bonus risk that the company might not make it (there is history to support that possiblity...) and then you won't be able to get parts. $1200 paper weight...

[tattoobob]

It's only money, and if your happy it is all worth it, to me anyways

They have a new trainee in there so she is probably making twice what the old guy got to service them

[fishpoopoo]

I just posted some new figures over at SOL if you want to see what the NPV is over 15 years, with and without salvage value and varying the cost of capital.

There is no amount of utility that I could derive to justify paying $1,700 +/- for a stupid spinning reel. I'll just rely on my Fin-Nor Ahabs and 706's.

This is ridiculous - for $50 and shipping I could buy another reel.

Why did VS do this? Because that's what ZeeBaas is charging to service a reel (but on paper ZeeBaas' are self-serviceable). And because they probably are losing money on servicing.

Anyone looking for an old style VS250B (interior counterweight) with some reel rash, let me know.

[fishpoopoo]

what the hell, here they are

the takeaway from all the numbers:

If you plan to own a dunkable reel for a while, it makes more sense to get a zeebaas (assuming the damn reel works as advertised, which, judging from preliminary indications from people in the know, it is).

JohnR - if you are reading this please let me know what you think of the reel.

[ChiefLinesider]

No VS for me thanks. I cant help but think back where surfcasting came from. People would be glad if they had a spinning reel period. Im OK with my disposable reels. Im thinking Okuma V-System reel. They have a 5-year everything covered warranty. 130 bucks. Sounds more my style. Will have a bunch of "disposable" reels that I will rotate.

Saltiga Surf reel. Waterproof sealed drag & body??

That table is great...

[Pete_G]

Van Staal's yearly service program is often a bit tough to interpret (both for owners and those selling them...) so I just talked to Craig about it since the news of the updated price of servicing has just recently hit the public.

Reels DO NOT need to go back every year. The idea of required yearly service is a hangover from the CT days, and hasn't been in effect for quite a while. It is recommended, if you regularly and completely submerge the reel, that you do so. If you're just getting splashed, it is unlikely you would want or need to send it back. If you have several reels (many VS owners do) and one spends all it's time as a back up or sees minimal service it's really pointless to send it back every year. If your main reel is running flawlessly at the end of the season, rinse it off and put it in storage and wait for spring. Sending it back isn't required.

If you do wait 5 years and you fish the reel senseless, there is the possibility that you'll have to pay for parts outside the normal line roller, drag washers, and o-rings. Whether a yearly servicing or waiting 5, 7 or 10 years makes more sense financially for you is your call.

Any additional questions can be posted here (and I'll do my best to answer them) or even better send them directly to the source, Craig Cantelmo at ccantelmo@vanstaal.com

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

No VS for me thanks. I cant help but think back where surfcasting came from. People would be glad if they had a spinning reel period.
That table is great...

Copied in part from a post on another subject by NY probably most celebrated surfcaster Al Bentsen :"The Penn squidder cost 25 dollars when it first came out in the 1930's. That was a weeks pay. Almost like the VS is a weeks pay today. "

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by Zeno

Copied in part from a post on another subject by NY probably most celebrated surfcaster Al Bentsen :"The Penn squidder cost 25 dollars when it first came out in the 1930's. That was a weeks pay. Almost like the VS is a weeks pay today. "

It was probably only reserved for the rich. Im guessing anyone living in the 30's (great depression) wouldnt spend their weeks pay on a fishing reel. I dont care how bad you've got the bug.

VS a weeks pay? Ive got to find a better job.

[Redsoxticket]

Q. Can any part for the reel be purchased directly by the customer from Van Staal in the event the customer does their own repair and servicing.
Q. Does Van Staal have a price for the parts posted.
Q. Does Van Stall have schematics avaiable to customers.

[ChiefLinesider]

They don't seem too confident in their product if they only offer a 1 year warranty.
& its 50 dollars plus parts for servicing? So if you had 100 bucks worth of parts that need to be replaced, you have a $150 bill sent to you (without notice? Anything under $200 without a call?)


And if someone buys a used reel & they want to put a warranty on it, They are getting slapped with a big chunk of change for a 1 year warranty?

I would also be interested in a parts list cost. What is an average repair bill? Or what if it starts leaking outside of the warranty? What will that repair run you? What is covered in the servicing? .....looks like ive got to make a VS phonecall

[nightfighter]

People's priorities are different. I change my vehicles' oil religiously, my brother doesn't even check his oil levels. I send out my nail guns for rebuilds when I feel they're due, while other contractors use them til they're cooked and have to buy new. Maintenance comes with ownership in my book. It is part of the investment. I mean, do you really figure in oil changes, new tires, etc. over four years when you buy a car? Given that I bought a used 200 very reasonably from another member, I can justify sending it out at the end of a season in which I fished it hard and was extremely pleased with the product.

[shadow]

van staal policy is sort of screwed up the warranty should be longer then one year,you should be contacted for any out of pocket repairs,never mind $50 plus parts.I have a love hate relationship with van staal there great reels when there working well, yet in the first year mine had water in the drag,when sent back it was repaired at the service charge of $36 the whole drag system replacedthis year I have a few minor things that need to be seviced so I need to send it back agian this year so far in 2 years it has been in need of new parts that if the warranty was longer then the one year I would not have to pay anything I think a better warranty on a reel that is $700 is not to much to expect.

[spence]

I bought an new old stock VS off Ebay and had the thing sieze up the first year...sent it in and only had the basic charge to fix.

Bought a Calcutta 400TE at SWE and had the free-spool lever break after one season. sent it in for service and Shimano sent me a brand new reel.

So I'm pretty happy with both companies for now. But even with the premuim price I can see how it would be difficult to provide top shelf service for very long.

-spence

[RNC]

I think the way the VS250 looks alone was well worth the price I paid for it, and the 18 bucks for the hat, but at least it comes with a cool pouch for you to store it in.

[wheresmy50]

A Shimano Spheros comes with a 1 year warranty too, for about a hundred bucks.

It seems that if VS feels their reels are worth $600, they should have a little more confidence in their product. If they think they can only offer a 1 year warranty, maybe they're not really worth all that money.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Van Staal's yearly service program is often a bit tough to interpret (both for owners and those selling them...) so I just talked to Craig about it since the news of the updated price of servicing has just recently hit the public.

Reels DO NOT need to go back every year. The idea of required yearly service is a hangover from the CT days, and hasn't been in effect for quite a while.

I skipped last year's servicing on my twice retrofitted VS 250 B. The drag is shot and the action is very stiff. Like hell they don't need to go back every year - and I am religious about taking care of my equipment (freshwater rinse, etc).

Anyways, why the hell should I have to depend on VS to service it?

n.b. there is an excellent thread with photos floating around on SOL on how to service your own VS by Rich Smith. I have not attempted it yet as I'd probably screw it up.

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by wheresmy50

A Shimano Spheros comes with a 1 year warranty too, for about a hundred bucks.

It seems that if VS feels their reels are worth $600, they should have a little more confidence in their product. If they think they can only offer a 1 year warranty, maybe they're not really worth all that money.

Exactly, I think your paying to get into the VIP room. Where you can be in a small group of people that own one. You choose your color & PAY to keep your semi-unique appearance. & Keep your reputation up on the rocks. It seems the Van Staal has become more of a symbol, like a right of passage, a sign to give respect, that the owner has become an accomplished surfcaster.

[nightfighter]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

Exactly, I think your paying to get into the VIP room. Where you can be in a small group of people that own one. You choose your color & PAY to keep your semi-unique appearance. & Keep your reputation up on the rocks. It seems the Van Staal has become more of a symbol, like a right of passage, a sign to give respect, that the owner has become an accomplished surfcaster.

Yup, you got me.......

wtf

[ChiefLinesider]

hey just kidding around... I still want one... venting cause I need more money, just thought it was a funny way of looking at it

[tattoobob]

Remember the gear doesn't make the fisherman just like the tools don't make the mechanic, it's how you use it not what you use