another bait and tackle dies - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

piemma · 05-04-2005, 06:25 AM

The whole tackle store business is a tough racket. 2 friends of mine took over Murats when Dave died. They lasted 2 years even with moving to a more accessable location. Mike Bestwick who owns Quaker Lane will tell you that if he didn't own the property and had to pay rent he would never make it.
The big box stores like #^&#^&#^&#^&s, WalMart and Sports Authority kill the little guys. I NEVER buy anything from them. I'd rather pay a few cents more and go to a tackle shop where I can talk to fishing guys. Ever try to talk to the nitwits at #^&#^&#^&#^&s about fishing? You got a better shot at bursting into flames than getting anything sensible out of them.

Raven · 05-04-2005, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

You got a better shot at bursting into flames than getting anything sensible out of them.

way funny

piemma · 05-04-2005, 06:47 AM

Thansk raven. Sad but true

NIB · 05-05-2005, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

The whole tackle store business is a tough racket. 2 friends of mine took over Murats when Dave died. They lasted 2 years even with moving to a more accessable location. Mike Bestwick who owns Quaker Lane will tell you that if he didn't own the property and had to pay rent he would never make it.
The big box stores like #^&#^&#^&#^&s, WalMart and Sports Authority kill the little guys. I NEVER buy anything from them. I'd rather pay a few cents more and go to a tackle shop where I can talk to fishing guys. Ever try to talk to the nitwits at #^&#^&#^&#^&s about fishing? You got a better shot at bursting into flames than getting anything sensible out of them.

this is the truth.also in the construction world.the lowes an HD have put the small local lumber yds in trouble I still have my account at 18 lumber 22 yrs.an I by every thing i can their these are real people.

piemma · 05-05-2005, 07:15 AM

I am in the process of building an addition on my house and everything except the plumbing has come from Douglas Lumber in Smithfield. My GC told me that he would not frame if he had to use the crap that comes from HD or Lowes.

capecodder · 05-05-2005, 10:09 AM

To compete with Walmart/Sports Authority/Home Depot etc. the independent has to compete on something other than price. Obviously, the ones that survive and often flourish provide service that is valued by the customer. In the tackle business, there is a real opportunity to differentiate based on service and some do that well, some do not.

I don't know the specifics on the shops in discussion here, but I do know that Mike's reputation for customs rods brought me in from a distance and it is a well deserved reputation! My local shop, Belsan's in Scituate, provides much more than price competition, hence they get my business.

I think fishing can be a bit like wine in that it is intimidating to the newbie to go in to a shop full of sharpies and ask questions. A local liquor store has an owner that is very helpful and knowledgeable with wine without the attitude and as such has built a very loyal cutomer base depsite much larger stores nearby....

Again, a general comment as I don't know the store in question...

spence · 05-05-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capecodder

I think fishing can be a bit like wine in that it is intimidating to the newbie to go in to a shop full of sharpies and ask questions.

That's why Mike T, Joe Lyons, SWE etc... all have such loyal customers. I can speak from experience that none of them have ever shown any impatience to my incessant and inane questions

I couldn't tell you the last time I shopped in a Wal-Mart. I do hit HD or Lowes every so often for little stuff, but the quality of the lumber, fixtures etc... just isn't to par with what you get from a professional shop.

If we let the big-box stores run everybody else out of business, there will be no selection or quality products left. Their model is about consumption. Home Depot doesn't care if their exterior lights rust in a year. Since you've shown the ability to install it yourself, chances are you'll just buy new ones or deal.

-spence

piemma · 05-06-2005, 07:17 AM

Interesting HD story. As I said in another post everything except plumbing is coming from a small lumber yard. So I bought a shower fixture and a tub fixture that my wife picked out at HD. My plumber shows up to do the rough in yesterday and asks "what the hell are those?" I told him they were for the tub and shower. He then told me that the type of fixture that my wife picked out would not pass code as there were no anti-scald valves on them. Illegal in RI in new construction. Do you think the nitwits at HD said anything? No way. $300 worth of fixtures. I took them back and spoke with the manager. He could have cared less. Go my money back and went to a plumbing supply house.

Fishpart · 05-06-2005, 07:27 AM

Piemma, go to Smithfield Plumbing Supply they are right at the Post Office in Greenville.

As for B&T I don't buy a lot, when I do I try to go to sponsors here and whne I need something in a pinch the B&T less than a mile from home....

kayaman · 05-06-2005, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capecodder

A local liquor store has an owner that is very helpful and knowledgeable with wine without the attitude and as such has built a very loyal cutomer base depsite much larger stores nearby.......

would this place be in cohassett?