Attn VS Owners...

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Bassturbed

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.

Maybe you're too nice to your reel. They don't like that.

Seriously though, the idea is to put when to send the reel back in your hands.

If something's wrong send it back; if not, fish it.

As for servicing your own reel, just don't put it back together wrong. There's zero warranty love if you do that.

[tlapinski]

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. 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

Pete, I am a bit confused by this. Does not sending it back every year change in any way what will be serviced/replaced for free, or at least above and beyond the now $50 fee I have sent my 250 in every year since I got it. Each time it has come back with a bag of parts that were replaced at only the service charge. Let's say I feel the reel is working fine at the end of this season, but then halfway through next season it siezes up. Would they charge me any additional fee when I send it back since it has been over a year since the last time I sent it in? If there is no requirement to send it in, why not wait until it craps out to return it? Do they have it in writing somewhere stating you no longer need to send it in every year? I have had my 250 last anywhere from 1 month to over a season between emergency repairs.

[leptar]

Originally Posted by VanStaal_Product_Return_Form

ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGE
Annual service for reels within warranty will be charged at the current rate of $36.95. This does not cover line roller, drag
washer or handle bearing replacement for reels beyond 12 months from original date of purchase. Parts and labor charges
will apply (See Additional Charges).
Annual service for reels out of warranty will be charged at a rate of $36.95 plus additional parts and labor as required to
establish limited lifetime warranty status (See Additional Charges).

Ok $50+shipping when you feel the reel needs to be serviced still gets you to establish limited lifetime warranty status? or is that only if you service yearly...
The wording makes it seem as if you don't send it in yearly you will be out of the warranty loop therefore having to be charged $50+parts and labor....

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

Pete, I am a bit confused by this. Does not sending it back every year change in any way what will be serviced/replaced for free, or at least above and beyond the now $50 fee I have sent my 250 in every year since I got it. Each time it has come back with a bag of parts that were replaced at only the service charge. Let's say I feel the reel is working fine at the end of this season, but then halfway through next season it siezes up. Would they charge me any additional fee when I send it back since it has been over a year since the last time I sent it in? If there is no requirement to send it in, why not wait until it craps out to return it? Do they have it in writing somewhere stating you no longer need to send it in every year? I have had my 250 last anywhere from 1 month to over a season between emergency repairs.

You're basically right on.

The only thing to consider is that typically if the reel has been serviced regularly (yearly or so) they're likely to cover the parts for you if something goes wrong.

If the reel comes in destroyed ten years later after zero service visits they're going to be a little less forgiving.

I would email Craig if you want something definitive in writing.

The new service page:

http://www.vanstaal.com/Service.html

The product return form is dated though, hopefully when it is updated there will be some more clarity...

[piemma]

I agree with Mac. I put my VS250 through absolute hell. I use the rod as a wading staff and the VS is underwater half the time. I have fallen on it. I fish impossible places on th Narragansett shore. Wade out to submerged bars, fish Deep Hole, Carpenters, Napatree and a ton of other places. Other than one problem which was a faulty seal that VS put in during the maintenance in Dec of last year, I have had ZERO problems.
I have fished penn 704s and 706s for 30 years and they are good reels. Almost bullet proof. But I have had problems with them like everyone else that fishes in the surf 100+ night s a year. Bail springs broke (until I converted the 704 to bailess) dog springs broke. Drag washers froze unless you cleaned them every couple of trips. Drop it in the sand and you are screwed. Got to take it apart.
That being said, I think it comes down to what you can afford or what you feel comfortable spending. After 40+ years in the surf I felt I wanted to fish with a VS. To each his or hers own. JMO

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by piemma

I agree with Mac. I put my VS250 through absolute hell. I use the rod as a wading staff and the VS is underwater half the time. I have fallen on it. I fish impossible places on th Narragansett shore. Wade out to submerged bars, fish Deep Hole, Carpenters, Napatree and a ton of other places. Other than one problem which was a faulty seal that VS put in during the maintenance in Dec of last year, I have had ZERO problems.
I have fished penn 704s and 706s for 30 years and they are good reels. Almost bullet proof. But I have had problems with them like everyone else that fishes in the surf 100+ night s a year. Bail springs broke (until I converted the 704 to bailess) dog springs broke. Drag washers froze unless you cleaned them every couple of trips. Drop it in the sand and you are screwed. Got to take it apart.
That being said, I think it comes down to what you can afford or what you feel comfortable spending. After 40+ years in the surf I felt I wanted to fish with a VS. To each his or hers own. JMO

I think this sums up the reasons why some decide to get a VS more then anything else.

It has been my experience as well.

Reality is, for most, issues outside of normal occasional service are rare.